Are reception kids still entitled to free school meals?

[loveireland]

Just as I said really, are reception children still meant to be receiving free school meals? I'm being charged but had in my head they were free. Google isn't helping and don't want to go to the school in case I'm totally wrong. Help me please? Thanks!!

Yes. Kids are supposed to get free school meals up to year 2 I think.

Yes. As long as you’re in a state funded school, all Key Stage 1 kids get free lunches.

Are you in England?

Yes I'm England, in a CofE school but that's still government funded isn't it?

Yes - mine are in CofE and get free school dinners reception, yr1 and yr2. We have just started paying for our eldest in yr 3 😭

In England only universal free school meals up to KS2, so charged from Yr3. The FSM in relation to certain benefits goes right through their time there.

That's great thanks, I'll email the school now I know I'm not going crazy.

Yes should be free if in state school.

Check with your school office. Our school sends notifications to everyone about setting up payment for school lunches etc. could you have had that and it wasn't clear that it wasn't for you?

My daughter in reception gets free meals. However, the school told us there was an issue in ParentPay that billed for them.

Perhaps something similar is happening in your case.

Yes, they are free up to the end of Y2 - this will be a mistake.

It will be a mistake, I was invoiced last week even though DD is in Yr1. I emailed the school and an hour later a text was sent out saying it was an error and those eligible for fsm would be credited.

You should look for information on Universal Free School Meals.

Information for anyone interested, covering the whole of the UK.

www.turn2us.org.uk/Your-Situation/Bringing-up-a-child/Free-school-meals

You get charged for milk only up until year 3 then school lunches are paid for