Free breakfast clubs to open at 750 schools

Free breakfast clubs are set to begin next week in 750 schools across England, offering parents of primary-aged children an additional half hour of free morning childcare. The initiative, which will run as a pilot until July, is part of a larger plan for a nationwide rollout. While the government says the scheme will provide up to 95 extra childcare hours annually and save families around £450 per child, teaching unions have expressed serious concerns over the level of funding provided.

The programme was a key campaign pledge by the Labour Party, which later tripled its funding to £30 million. Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said the breakfast clubs are central to the government’s efforts to "break down barriers to opportunity" and support working families. She added that these clubs play a vital role in removing the "stain of child poverty."

While some schools already run similar breakfast programmes, the National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) has warned that the funding being offered under this scheme may not be enough. Paul Whiteman, NAHT’s general secretary, said that although the programme’s goals are commendable, early feedback from schools indicates that the funding is falling short. He stressed that with school budgets already under pressure, many schools may struggle to make up the difference themselves.

Whiteman emphasized that ensuring sufficient funding is "absolutely crucial" before the scheme is rolled out nationally. He noted that the government has promised to closely review the funding situation during the pilot phase.

The teaching union NASUWT also welcomed the initiative, saying it could make a "significant contribution" to tackling child hunger. However, they echoed concerns about funding and called for ongoing monitoring to ensure the scheme does not negatively affect other school services.

The Department for Education confirmed the 750 schools selected for the pilot, highlighting Devon as having the highest number with 25 schools, followed by Birmingham with 24. In comparison, both Scotland and Wales already offer free breakfasts to primary school children.

According to official guidance, participating schools will receive an initial payment to cover setup costs, such as equipment and materials. Ongoing funding will then be based on how many children attend the breakfast clubs. For example, a school with 50% participation could receive up to £23,000 annually.

While the programme has been widely welcomed in principle, school leaders and unions are urging the government to ensure that funding is realistically aligned with the actual costs of running such clubs, to ensure long-term sustainability and success.