Today, the Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, launched the rollout of new free breakfast clubs at 750 schools nationwide. The initiative aims to alleviate the constraints of rigid school hours for parents by providing 30 minutes of childcare before the start of the school day.
This move is part of a trial that is set to run until July, with plans for a national rollout following the promising results. To mark the launch of the pilot scheme, Sir Keir Starmer and Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner visited participating schools, including St Michael’s Junior School in Bath.
Expressing his enthusiasm for the program, Sir Keir Starmer stated, “The rollout of free breakfast clubs is a truly game-changing moment for families in this country. They mean parents will no longer be hamstrung by rigid school hours and have the breathing space they need to beat the morning rush, attend work meetings and doctors’ appointments, or run errands. And crucially, it means better life chances for children.”
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While the Government expects the service to save parents around £450 per year if their child attends daily, concerns have been raised by teaching unions regarding the adequacy of the funding provided. Additionally, early years groups have warned of potential challenges in maintaining the current level of childcare provision, citing financial pressures.
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson assured that schools will receive the necessary funding for the breakfast clubs, emphasizing that the support being offered is more generous than previous schemes. Despite the concerns raised, the Government remains committed to the success of the program.