Proposed statutory free breakfast clubs for primary schools In 2025 and 2026, the DfE will be working with up to 750 'early adopter' schools to learn how best to implement the scheme it set out in the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill 2024 for all state-funded primary schools provide a free breakfast club. It will only roll out the scheme nationally: If the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill passes into law, and still includes this provision, and After the ‘test and learn’ phase has finished (i.e. 2026 at the very earliest), and On a date that ministers decide on (which they will do ‘in due course’) Schools who aren't part of the early adopters scheme don't need to do anything yet. For those who are, the DfE has published its guidance for successful applicants, including payment dates and conditions of grant. We'll update this article when we get any more details about the national rollout. To get an alert when this happens, please select ‘Save
Breakfast clubs: guidance on food and funding
Understand the rights and expectations around providing a school breakfast club. Get guidance on food, sources of funding and support and charging for provision.
Last reviewed on 21 January 2025See updates
- You can decide whether to run a breakfast club
- It’s up to you if you serve food
- Look into external sources of funding and support
- Be clear on when you can charge parents/carers