Two Peterborough schools trial new free breakfast clubs

Two schools in Peterborough are among the first to trial free breakfast clubs

From April, 750 primaries will become what's described as 'early adopters' of the seven-million pound programme, before a national rollout.

It will also include at least 30 minutes of childcare before classes start..

Ministers say it will save parents up to £450 a year.

We know that breakfast clubs are good for children's attendance, their behaviour and their attainment

The schools chosen for the trial are expected to offer a free breakfast to all pupils and at least 30 minutes of childcare before school.

The £7 million project - which will test the delivery of the programme ahead of a wider national rollout in England - was announced at Labour's party conference last September.

The project was launched in the East Midlands region this morning at Peckover primary school in Wisbech close to Peterborough.

Stephen Morgan minister of early education was at the school this morning

We spoke to him.

He told us: " We know that breakfast clubs are good for children's attendance, their behaviour and their attainment."

We've had a breakfast club here for a while and it's an absolute lifeline for our families

"There's more money back in parents' pockets so we'll save parents on average 450 pounds a year."

"It will give parents more childcare choices so they will get at least 30 minutes of childcare as well as the food."

"One of the children I was talking to just now said that it it makes him want to come to school."

"Obviously there are issues around attendance across the country and we've got find ways to get children into school."

"But it's good for attainment and is good for behaviour as well as giving those choices around childcare."

We also spoke to the Principal of Peckover primary Kate Kendal.

You can just do so much fun stuff

She says: "It's exciting - we've had a breakfast club here for a while and it's an absolute lifeline for our families."

"Our children come to school - they enjoy the social aspect of breakfast club - they get a good meal before they start their day so when they start their day they have full tummies and are ready to learn."

"We have a very diverse community and for some of our families - they're working families and they need to have that childcare element of the breakfast club."

"For other families it's just a very busy household so actually us taking the responsibility of feeding them in the morning takes a bit of pressure off the families."

And what about are the children themselves?

1\1 year old Leuan told us: "I think it's amazing - you get to play with stuff and chat."

"You can just do so much fun stuff."

9 year old Seren told us: "We get to have snacks and talk to people about our days and play with them from different year groups.

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