Breakfast Club Early Adopters Scheme

As part of the government’s long term ‘National School Breakfast Club Programme’ up to 750 participating state-funded schools will be funded to take part in the ‘Breakfast Club Early Adopters Scheme’ to provide children with access to a breakfast club that involves free food and childcare, starting from April 2025.

The government have published information and guidance on the roll out of the Breakfast Club Early Adopters Scheme. Schools are being urged to apply to be part of the early adopter scheme which offers funding to support schools and PVI wraparound providers to offer at least 30 minutes per day free breakfast club before the school day begins. Schools will be expected to provide a healthy and nutritious breakfast for children who attend. The breakfast club must be free for parents and carers.

Schools who become early adopters of the scheme will have the opportunity to aid in shaping policy, contributing towards the design and implementation of the scheme longer term.

Key points of note within the guidance include:

• Programme Launch: The breakfast clubs early adopter programme will open for applications from schools Wednesday, 27th November 2024.
• Objective: The programme aims to introduce free breakfast clubs in up to 750 early adopter schools from April 2025. This is part of a test and learn phase before a national rollout and will focus on how breakfast clubs can be delivered that build on the current offer, meet the needs of parents and ensure that children start the day ready to learn.
• Eligibility: All primary-aged children on roll at participating schools will have access to a free, universal breakfast club lasting at least 30 minutes; the programme encourages schools to promote the offer, especially to disadvantaged groups. The DfE welcomes interest from a range of schools including schools who already have an existing offer, schools who have no current offer, schools who are already working with the PVI sector and schools who will encounter initial challenges setting up an offer.
• Application Process: State-funded schools with primary age children can apply by completing an expression of interest form via DfE login. The form is now live and closes on 20th December 2024. Schools will receive a response in January 2025 regarding whether their application has been successful or not.
• Expectations: Schools taking part in the scheme will be expected to deliver breakfast club provision that provides at least 30 minutes of free childcare before the start of the school day that is open to all primary-age children on roll at the school and provides healthy food (Meeting school food standards). They will also be expected to regularly report data back to the DfE and take part in any evaluation of the scheme.
• Support and Guidance: Additional support will be provided to early adopter schools by the department. Guidance and support for early adopter schools are being developed in partnership with schools, local authorities, and the wider sector.
• Funding: Early adopter schools will be funded directly and should use this funding to cover delivery costs, food costs and staff costs. Full details on how funding will be determined will be released alongside guidance in January 2025.

How can I apply to take part in this scheme?

Schools can find out more and apply online at Apply to take part in breakfast clubs early adopters scheme GOV.UK  Applications will open on 27^th November 2024 and will close on 20h December 2024, late applications will not be accepted after this date.

You can register online to join a DFE webinar on 5 December 2024 to learn more about the scheme and the application process. Register online to attend DFE webinar

The Early Years and Childcare Service are interested in your plans and are available to support schools interested in applying, sharing knowledge of the current market and assisting schools to overcome barriers to the development of any offer. Should schools have specific queries regarding the application process for the Breakfast Club early adopters scheme, they can contact the Early Years Mailbox  earlyyears@buckinghamshire.gov.uk.