Childcare costs
You could get help with childcare costs, including:
You may be eligible for more help, including national funding and free healthy food vouchers.
School meals
Children in reception, year 1 and year 2 automatically get free school meals. This is called Universal infant free school meals (UIFSM) and you do not need to apply for it.
Children in year 3 and above may be eligible for free school meals.
Children and young people aged 2 to 19 may also be eligible for free meal vouchers during the school holidays.
School transport
Children in primary or secondary school could be eligible for free school transport.
Holiday clubs
The Essex ActivAte programme offers free clubs for eligible children and young people during the school holidays. Booking usually opens on their website a few weeks before the holidays.