AIBU to use free play provision with free food when I don't need to?

[caroloro]

My husband and I are fortunate in that we can often work from home and so have been trying to manage the summer holidays with the kids at home (Dd 7 and Ds 12) rather than at playscheme etc not because we can't afford it but because the kids don't like it (Dd goes to the one she enjoys, but it's only short days Tues and Thurs - my kids aren't sporty, and the only options are all day sports sessions at the leisure centre, holiday clubs in preschool day nurseries, with all the babies etc still there, or two days a week at the one she likes).

The local play service has set up free, open access play provision 9.30-1 and 1.30-3, morning and afternoon sessions in different locations in town. The stated aim is to provide access to stimulating opportunities for play and socialising, and to combat food poverty. Breakfast and lunch is provided at the morning session.

We live in a fairly affluent area, and of course there are pockets of deprivation, and the location of these two play provisions reflect that spread.

This morning I took my Dd to the play provision, just to give her some structure and interesting activity, as both myself and dh need to work, and she's pretty easy to have around but keeping herself occupied all day for weeks on end is a massive ask.

I know as I'm writing this that I'm probably not being unreasonable, but by accessing this it almost feels like I'm taking advantage of something that wasn't meant for me, in terms of the food poverty aspect.

AIBU to access this play provision, and free meals, for my daughter?

We did travel, but we live rurally so mist things are a travel. It's the same place she goes to brownies, and us closer to us than the local secondary school or supermarket. I'd consider us local, if not local local.

I'm pleased to hear there's a few of these around that people are using, although sad of course that food poverty us rising.

I think that is fine, especially as you are local.

I pop into my local children centre with DS often...its at the end of my mums road, next to the local playground, and I used to have an afterschool job there in sixth form. I may not be 'poor' anymore but I still feel part of the community.

I think I'd use it and then post how great it is on local groups on fb in the hope the people that really need it use it. If the only way it's kept open is by people using the service then yes use it and spread the word.