Thousands more children will benefit from free breakfasts
supported by the Scottish Government.
The Bright Start Breakfasts fund is now open to applications and
will provide £3 million so more primary school children can have
a nutritious start to the day and parents can benefit from free
childcare.
Nearly half of Scotland's schools already provide breakfast at
the start of the school day. The Bright Start Breakfasts funding
will support expansion of existing clubs and establishment of new
ones, creating more free places for primary school
children.
In addition to more breakfast clubs, the Scottish Government is
expanding the Extra Time programme, which provides funding for 31
local football clubs and trusts to provide free access to before
school, after school and holiday clubs for targeted primary
school children from families on low incomes.
Work is also under way in 23 communities to design and deliver
further childcare services for priority families.
Visiting a breakfast club at Riverside Primary School in Glasgow
Education Secretary said:
“We know how important a healthy breakfast can be for children,
particularly those most at risk of living in poverty, and
breakfast clubs have a crucial role in our mission to eradicate
child poverty.
“They help set children up for the day, supporting them to
achieve their learning potential, and provide families with
childcare, helping more parents to get to work in the morning.
“Applications are open and I encourage anyone who could deliver a
breakfast club to contact Inspiring Scotland.”
Celia Tennant, Chief Executive at Inspiring Scotland, said:
“Inspiring Scotland is pleased to be working with Scottish
Government to manage the Bright Start Breakfasts fund.
“We are committed to working together to tackle child poverty and
improve family wellbeing. We are delighted to see
applications starting to come in since launching the fund on
Wednesday”
Background
The Bright Start Breakfast fund is being managed by Inspiring
Scotland. Guidance on applying to the fund can be found here:
Bright Start Breakfasts -
Inspiring Scotland.
Inspiring Scotland invites applications from groups and
organisations who deliver or want to deliver breakfast clubs,
including:
- local authorities
- third-sector organisations
- registered childcare providers
- activity providers
- parent or volunteer groups
- childminding services
Work to design and deliver childcare services for priority
families is taking place in 23 Early Adopter Communities across
six local authority areas (Clackmannanshire, Dundee, Glasgow,
Inverclyde, Fife and Shetland).
