The reality of Stratford District Council's holiday programme being cancelled has now hit home for many parents a week before the school holidays.
Comments received from Stratford parents include some taking alternative annual leave during the holidays.
It's been on the table since last year and it was decided to replace the council's programme with the council advertising programmes which include the TSB Pool Complex, TET Multisports Centre and the library.
A number of parents have phoned Stratford Information Centre requesting their child be placed in the council's holiday programme, only to be told it is no longer running.
In the 2011-2012 draft annual plan guidance, it was decided the school holiday programme be discontinued and the council would provide $5000 for advertising any school holiday programme for all providers within Stratford district.
The council believed it was competing with other providers in the community and agreed that $25,000 was too expensive to keep the programme running.