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UK Launches Free Breakfast Club Pilot in 750 Schools

The initiative aims to provide parents with morning childcare and save families £450 annually, but concerns over funding persist.

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Overview

  • The UK Government has launched a pilot program offering free breakfast clubs in 750 schools, providing 30 minutes of morning childcare until July 2025.
  • Prime Minister Keir Starmer described the initiative as a 'game-changing moment' for families, helping parents manage work schedules and morning routines.
  • The program is expected to save parents up to £450 annually if their child attends every day, with further childcare expansions planned for September 2025.
  • Teaching unions and early years groups caution that current funding levels may not cover costs, potentially limiting availability or forcing closures.
  • This pilot builds on Labour's broader childcare reforms, including a planned increase to 30 hours of free weekly childcare starting in September.