Free school breakfast clubs launch this week – saving parents £450 a year
New government scheme will offer free before-school childcare to thousands of families across England
Busy mornings might be about to get a little less frantic for thousands of parents, thanks to a new government initiative rolling out free breakfast clubs across England – offering a saving of up to £450 a year and handing back as much as 95 hours of childcare annually.
Launching this Tuesday (April 22), the first 750 primary schools will begin offering free, 30-minute before-school clubs for all children, in a move the government says is aimed at easing the cost of living and supporting working families.
It’s part of a wider pledge to increase flexible childcare options and improve access to education.
What does the free breakfast club offer?
Each club will provide a nutritious breakfast and 30 minutes of supervised care before the school day begins – giving parents a much-needed buffer to get to work, training or other responsibilities.
That extra half hour every school morning adds up fast: across 190 school days, that’s nearly 100 hours of childcare per year, potentially saving parents around £450 in wraparound care or breakfast costs.
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson called the scheme “a crucial part of our Plan for Change."
From Tyneside to Truro, England is one of the first countries in Europe to open universal free breakfast clubs... making sure every child starts school ready to learn.
How will this help working parents?
According to government data, more than half of parents say they’d use the extra morning time to balance work, study or training. And with support from big employers like British Airways, Accenture, and Rigby Group, there’s growing recognition that childcare flexibility helps drive workplace equality and productivity.
Shaheen Sayed, UK & Ireland lead at Accenture, said, “Breakfast clubs not only improve educational outcomes for children but also enable greater workforce participation, allowing working parents and carers to achieve their professional and personal aspirations.”
It’s a sentiment echoed by Chris O’Shea, CEO of Centrica, who added, “Free breakfast clubs are a smart, practical step to help families with the morning logistics… and give kids the best possible start.”
What does this mean for schools and children?
There’s growing evidence that breakfast clubs don’t just help parents – they also improve pupil performance. The Education Endowment Foundation found that pupils in schools offering free breakfast gained the equivalent of two months’ additional progress in reading, writing and maths.
At St Benedict’s Primary School – one of the early adopter schools – headteacher Emma Nott says they’re already seeing the benefits.
Our fantastic staff truly believe in this policy. We are already seeing children’s attendance increase as a result of the club. It also gives pupils time to adjust between home and school life – 30 minutes makes a whole world of difference.
The clubs are also being seen as a key tool to tackle absenteeism and support school readiness, with figures showing 1 in 3 pupils are not ready to start school by age 5.
Real mum, real difference
For mum-of-two Vicky Taylor, a primary school teacher, the difference is not just about money – it’s emotional headspace.
Breakfast clubs make a big difference to getting to work and taking off one thing from my plate. I know my kids are fed, ready to start the day and emotionally settled.
Her children, aged 5 and 7, get to see familiar faces, have breakfast with friends and ease into their day at their own pace – not hers.
“They always have a better day at school afterwards. They’re more attentive, more engaged and much happier.”
What happens next?
The 750 schools launching breakfast clubs this week are part of a ‘test and learn’ phase, with feedback helping to shape the full national rollout. More details on the next phase are expected soon.
In the meantime, the message from schools, parents and employers is clear: less morning stress, more support, and better outcomes for families.
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Ruairidh is the Digital Lead on MadeForMums. He works with a team of fantastically talented content creators and subject-matter experts on MadeForMums.