For the Summer 2023 HAF Programme, we chose to implement a centralised booking system, HolidayActivities.  This was introduced to ensure that only eligible children were able to access the funded places on our HAF Programme.  Our providers have become familiar with the system over the last year and can use it confidently.  The system gives us accurate data on bookings and attendance, information on which schools have most children attend and the backgrounds of those children.  This helps us when we need to submit data returns to the DfE.

Schools have really come on board with the system also.  In Bexley 100% of the schools are registered with HolidayActivities and can automatically order their vouchers before the next holiday period, or they can choose to manually order them.  We can support any new staff in schools with ordering their vouchers, and the support team at HolidayActivities are also at hand to deal with any issues.

The system is helpful to enable us to keep schools informed of which providers still have places available, so they can encourage their parents to book.  In addition, it allows the HAF team to track bookings and support any providers who have not filled their places.

HolidayActivities are also working on translations of vouchers and instructions for parents whose first language is not English.

The question asked was, "How easy was it to book through the booking system?" When surveyed, the majority of our parents felt that booking onto the provision through the booking system was very easy, with 130 respondents giving it the highest rating of 5.