To think that funding free breakfast clubs is wrong-headed?

[WaahWaahWinston]

Government is to fund free breakfast clubs for all primary school children. This doesn't strike me as the best use of money for schools; I imagine there are better things to spend money on that would be of greater educational benefit to children.

It may help a tiny proportion of families but breakfast is probably the easiest and cheapest meal for families to provide to children. (I doubt breakfast clubs will be providing full English or other cooked breakfasts of the sort that one could argue families are hard-pushed to provide.)

So I don't see the compelling need. Why spend money on this of all things, when there must be other improvements that could be funded which would improve education specifically?

It is probably to get benefit Mums in the job market without the excuse of children’s starting times being a hindrance. I expect many benefit sanctions to follow too, which ironically could make the food poverty much worse. However, I still think free breakfast clubs are a good idea the model works in many countries abroad.

@Maitri108 is a can of coke and packet of crisps much (if at all) cheaper than a tea bag, a couple of slices of toast and a banana?

Is that because they couldn't afford the breakfast though or because the parent was neglectful? A bag of crisps and a bottle of coke every morning probably costs more than a loaf of bread, cereal and milk for the week?

But coke and a packet of crisps isn't cheaper that toast and milk, is it? That's neglect/ignorance rather than poverty. That's not to say those parents don't need help, but that it's not just about not being able to afford food.

Coke and a packet of crisps doesn't strike me as poverty, but as extremely careless, thoughtless and lazy parenting. These are the sorts of idiots who shouldn't have kids!

Most people who work in education have seen a hungry child who didn't have breakfast.

Sometimes because they won't eat breakfast. But mostly just hungry. I used to feed the kids in my class.

Sure, breakfast food is cheap. There's still a lot of hungry kids out there.

If it was funded properly it would be a good scheme.

But its another scheme not properly funded.

Breakfast club cost £2.50 at local primary school. Covering staff and food not profit. If the funding is really 63p a day... whete is the rest of the costs coming from?

And that coke and crisps would have cost more than some toast and a cup of milk. That’s not about money that’s about laziness ( for whatever reasons) and ignorance.
As a teacher I have no issue with the concept but, as per usual, no ones actually providing the money to pay for it. Most places won’t be able to provide it.

I'm a reception teacher and I'm pro this. Children do not learn as well as they could if they come into school hungry. You'd be surprised how many children come in without having breakfast, too. Older children may be able to help themselves to breakfast at home, but the younger ones most likely don't.
And an extra half an hour of teaching would be pointless if the children you are teaching are more focussed on the rumble in their tummies.

They have had this off and on for about 25 years .it was 10 pence in the 90s my son would eat breakfast at home about twice recommend portion of cereal toast yogurt and take fruit to munch .but they served tea and coffee while I only offered hot / cold milk .at first I was mortified and phoned school but was nicely informed they know those who need and those who are just chancing there luck .they just used to give him his small coffee a bit toast .and he was happy .but you are correct it was a blessing for getting to work or other kids to nursery on time so yes that may be there plan

I think it’s less about providing food, and more about providing wraparound care.

Every parent I know has an absolute nightmare with wraparound care.

The school day bears little resemblance to the working day, pre and post school care difficult to find and often expensive,

Even an extra 30 minutes at the start of the day is a massive help in parents getting g to work on time.

Kids coming to school on time, not being hungry, improves behaviour which is good for everyone.

Being universal reduces stigma and increases uptake plus cut off of eligibility for free school meals is a cliff edge with people just above still struggling

This. Hungry children can't learn.

I totally get that kids don't work or learn well if hungry. I myself can't focus at work if I'm hungry. I think this is a universal/acknowledged pyschological / physiological phenomemon.

But is it really poverty that means that a number of primary school children are turning up to school without having had a couple of slices of toast / cereal??

As I said - it may help a very small minority of families (and even then, it may help some of these families some of the time but they may not need it all the time) but enough families to warrant this policy?

I just wish they would direct funds to things that are going to help more children receive a proper education.

What @TickingAlongNicely says. It would be a good scheme if it was properly funded.

Similarly, the pay rise for teachers would be good if it was properly funded, but it's not so it's just going to cause strikes and disruption. I don't know why the government is so determined to believe that schools have a bunch of extra money available. If they did then SEND and EAL provision would be better than it is.

Definitely a waste of money, in this economy, as was free school lunches for everyone. Should be means tested with school discretion to give breakfast to others who don't meet the criteria but are struggling

The money could be used to provide free school uniforms? Food vouchers for the half term and school holidays

Such a silly idea

My concern would be that the parents who are too chaotic to provide breakfast probably won’t get their kids to school early enough for breakfast club. As someone else pointed out, breakfast is a cheap meal, and I doubt it’s cost that is stopping kids eating it at home. It’s more likely that parents don’t get up in time to prepare something. Coke and a bag of crisps is far more expensive than cereal, especially if the cereal comes from a food bank.

People who think it’s about helping poverty are frankly, gullible. It’s a hugely uncosted and underfunded policy. To the point schools can’t afford to run it. It’s about getting mothers mainly, back into work when the welfare cuts start coming in. No arguments about little Johnny and the school run. Breakfast clubs for all means you can and will work.

The children who really need it won’t attend. Parents stuck in a cycle of neglect won’t be getting up for anyone. Let alone for a free breakfast provided by someone else.

@MidnightPatrol That's a whole issue in itself that needs problem-solving. An extra half hour of 'childcare' is pissing in the wind when it comes to the nightmare that is school hours vs parents' typical working hours!

And if they're going to make it for childcare reasons, why don't they make it a homework club at least...

That's a good thing isn't it? Some people find it difficult to find a job that works around school drop off times. This is a great way to help people back into work whist also ensuring all kids are fed. The concept is brilliant, it's win/win... whether it's achievable is another thing.

Not another half hour of teaching! - these children get far too much of it already!
Let them have a sociable breakfast together.

What the government should really be doing is finding Sure Start again to help struggling young families where parenting skills are lacking through deprivation.

@Maitri108 but she could afford a can of coke and packet of crisps - that’s not poverty that’s stupidity

My kids school never leave a kid hungry, they always keep food for those who haven't had anything. Though of course that relies on the child telling the teacher they're hungry.

I think it's yet another government 'initiative' that is supposed to sound good but in reality just heaps more pressure on the front line - how to provide a breakfast club for 63p per child when already stretched to the brink.

@Mischance You honestly think kids get too much teaching???

As a former secondary teacher in a good school in a nice area I can tell you almost half of the kids I taught in Sixth Form didn't have breakfast before leaving for school. I used to make toast for 20 p a slice and hot chocolate for 50p a cup at break time and any money made went into the Sixth Form fund. I got through 3 loaves of bread every day. That's how many DC didn't have breakfast. I'd also give a few kids free breakfast for helping me as I knew their families had little money. Kids can concentrate far better when their blood sugar doesn't get too low.