Nearly half of parents say they would struggle to reach work on time without school breakfast clubs, while staffing and space shortages threaten their expansion.
School breakfast clubs have become an essential part of the morning routine for many working families, with new research suggesting that parents would face real disruption if the clubs were no longer available. A survey commissioned by Kellogg’s found that nearly half of parents with primary school-age children said they would struggle to get to work on time without them, while more than a third said they would have to cut hours or ask for more flexible arrangements.
The same research points to a sharp rise in demand. Teachers surveyed said interest in breakfast clubs has increased over the past five years, yet many schools believe they will struggle to keep up. A large majority of teachers said too few children currently have access to the provision they need, reflecting pressure on schools as they try to meet families’ needs at the start of the day.
Kellogg’s, which says it has supported school breakfast clubs in Britain for nearly 30 years, is marking the 15th year of its Breakfast Club Awards. The company says it has provided cash grants to more than 5,000 clubs, amounting to over £6 million, and that the awards are intended to recognise good practice, encourage innovation and share ideas that other schools can use.
The awards offer £1,000 grants to winning schools, with staff and pupils invited to a ceremony at the Houses of Parliament in November. According to Kellogg’s, teachers who have applied for or won funding over the past 15 years overwhelmingly reported benefits for pupils, including better concentration, improved punctuality and stronger social skills.
But the research also highlights the strain on the people who keep these clubs running. Many teachers said they help to deliver breakfast club provision themselves, often spending several hours a week on it. Schools also rely on friends, family members and parents to volunteer. Even so, staffing shortages remain one of the biggest barriers to expansion, alongside limited dining space and a lack of equipment.
Kellogg’s said the findings show why breakfast clubs matter at a time when families are under cost pressure and morning routines are increasingly rushed. The company said the clubs help children start the school day in a more settled way, while also giving working parents a practical solution before lessons begin. Some teachers fear that, without extra support, clubs could shrink or shut within the next few years.
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