“Half a million more children will benefit from Best Start free breakfast clubs from April”
“Applications open today for the next wave of 500 schools with 40% of pupils on free school meals to benefit from the programme, as the government invests £80 million in the right places to give every child the best start in life – recognising that a healthy, well-educated population is essential for a thriving economy.
The move offers immediate help to working parents juggling childcare costs by saving them up to £450 and giving back up to 95 hours of time – over two and a half working weeks each year. That’s money back in pockets and time back in busy lives, helping families with the cost of living whilst ensuring children are ready to learn and succeed.”
Published 19th November 2025 – READ THE PRESS RELEASE – READ THE GUIDANCE
What should you expect with the free breakfast club rollout?
Schools invited to join the Free Breakfast Club Programme should expect a clear process for application, new funding rates, and operational requirements designed to help them successfully run the club.
Application and Eligibility
- Invitation to Apply: Schools will be contacted directly if they are eligible to join the scheme. They will not need to proactively search for the application.
- Eligibility Criteria:
- For the April 2026 phase, schools with a 40% or higher free school meal rate will be invited.
- For the September 2026 phase, National School Breakfast Programme (NSBP) primary schools will be invited.
- Application Process: Eligible schools must complete an expression of interest form.
- Selection: Successful schools will be selected based on their free school meal rates and their current participation in the NSBP.
- Notification: Schools will be contacted about their successful application in the new year (presumably early 2027 for the 2026-2027 rollout).
Funding and Financial Support
Schools should expect the following funding structure, effective from April 2026:
| School Type | Daily Guaranteed Funding (Base) | Daily Per-Pupil Funding | One-off Start-up Grant |
| Mainstream Schools | £25 a day guaranteed | £1 per pupil per day that attends | £1,000 |
| Special/Alternative Provision | £18.95 a day guaranteed | £3.23 per pupil per day that attends | £1,000 |
- The £1,000 start-up grant is provided to new schools to purchase necessary equipment and materials.
Operational Requirements
- Club Length: The free breakfast club must be 30 minutes long.
- Goal: The primary goal of the clubs is to ensure pupils start the day ready to learn, which is expected to improve behaviour, attendance, and attainment.
- Impact on Families: Schools will be supporting families by providing more childcare choices and support with the cost of living.
- Communication with Families: Once a school is running the club, they are responsible for sharing information about the offer direct from their school to families.
Free Breakfast Club Rollout Timeline
The £80 million national rollout will take place in two distinct phases between April 2026 and March 2027.
| Phase | Target Group | Start Date |
| Phase 1 | Schools with 40% or higher Free School Meal (FSM) rate | April 2026 |
| Phase 2 | National School Breakfast Programme (NSBP) primary schools | September 2026 |
The full rollout of 2,000 schools is expected to be completed by March 2027.
Application and Funding Grant Process
The process for schools to apply for the funding, including the £1,000 start-up grant, is an invitation-only system.
- When Applications Open: Eligible schools for the April 2026 phase will be invited to apply to join the scheme in April 2026.
- How Schools Apply: Schools who are eligible will be contacted directly by the government (Department for Education) and will be invited to complete an expression of interest form.
- Notification of Success: Schools will be contacted about their successful application in the new year (following the application period).
Alternative funding streams for schools: We understand that this process may leave some schools out of pocket. Here is a list of alternative grants available which provide both funding and free food to schools, typically prioritising those with higher levels of pupil deprivation (usually 35% or more Free School Meal (FSM) eligibility).
| Funder/Programme | What They Offer | Eligibility & Notes |
| National School Breakfast Programme (NSBP) | 75% subsidy on breakfast club costs (food and delivery) through a partnership with Family Action and Magic Breakfast. | A government-funded programme aimed at schools with 40% or more children in Income Deprivation Affecting Children Index (IDACI) bands A-F. Schools must apply via Family Action’s website. |
| Magic Breakfast | Provides healthy, nutritious breakfast food (bagels, cereal, porridge, etc.) and support/resources to set up clubs. | Targets schools in England and Scotland with high levels of deprivation (e.g., over 35% FSM). Food is provided free, but a small membership fee may apply (reduced for the first year). |
| Kellogg’s Breakfast Club Grants | Grants of up to £1,000 for equipment, resources, and food. | Open to any school in the UK that runs a breakfast club or wants to set one up. Priority is usually given to schools with 35% and above Pupil Premium funding. |
| Greggs Foundation Breakfast Club Grants | Grants of up to £2,000 to cover the cost of equipment, resources, and food. | Supports primary schools in England, Scotland, and Wales. Applications are reviewed twice a year; schools should check the Greggs Foundation website for current deadlines. |
| Tesco Community Grants (Stronger Starts) | Grants of £500, £1,000, or £1,500 for projects, including school breakfast clubs. | Funds are voted for by the public using blue tokens in Tesco stores. New causes are selected every three months, making it an ongoing funding stream. |
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