The charity 4Children has raised concerns about the future of breakfast and after-school clubs for children, after a survey showed one in ten could face closure in the next year due to rising costs and pressure on family budgets.
Children and Young People Now magazine reports that ‘almost a quarter of breakfast clubs, after-school clubs and holiday childcare providers fear for the future of services over the next academic year with rising costs and increasing pressure on parents’ incomes, a survey by the charity 4Children has revealed. The study of 492 extended services providers found that almost 10 per cent of respondents are at risk of closure during the next school year. A further 15 per cent of providers are in limbo, unsure as to whether their service will be maintained because of uncertainty over future funding. The survey found that demand for breakfast clubs, after-school clubs and holiday childcare schemes has dropped in 38 per cent of settings over the past year, with pressure on parents’ incomes and unemployment cited as the two main factors fuelling the decline.”
Our research shows that breakfast clubs are an important way to help all children eat more healthily and reach their full potential at school. Our studies comparing exam results at schools with breakfast clubs to those at schools without found pupils got better results where healthy breakfasts were on offer.
Our Chairman, Rob Rees, says: “A decent breakfast is essential to fuel children up for their morning at school. For many children, being able to go to a breakfast club means the difference between eating nothing at all before lessons – or filling up on sweets and sugary drinks on the way to school – and having a healthy meal to kick-start the day.”
*Good breakfast tips: *
When you wake up, your body hasn’t had any fuel for several hours. Breakfast gives you the energy you need to get your brain going again, so that you’re alert and more able to concentrate.
- Base breakfast on starchy foods like bread or cereal – wholegrain varieties release energy more slowly, which means they’ll keep you going for longer.
- Try muesli or porridge with low fat milk; yoghurt and a handful of dried or fresh fruit; wholegrain toast with tomatoes and mushrooms; or peanut butter or baked beans on wholegrain toast.
- Add a glass of fresh fruit juice – this will give you vitamin C to absorb more of the iron from cereals.
