Breakfast clubs & ‘Snack & Play’ are here to stay

Date: 
Monday, 15 October, 2018

 

Programmes to provide East Dunbartonshire’s most vulnerable children with free breakfast during the school term and play opportunities and a meal over the school holidays have been continuing to run with great results.

Having started in the 2017/18 session, the breakfast clubs run from 8am to 9am in six schools* in Auchinairn, Hillhead and Lennoxtown. Around 70 pupils currently benefit from a free breakfast across the schools, with a further 46 paying for the service.

The breakfast club service is delivered by Council education support staff and facilities management, apart from Thomas Muir Primary School service which is provided by Bishopbriggs Out of School Care.

Convener of Education, Councillor Jim Goodall, is pleased to see the initiative benefiting pupils.  He said, “We all know how important a good breakfast can be for our overall health and wellbeing and this is especially important for children who are both learning and being physically active throughout their school day.

“Head teachers have reported significant improvements in the social skills and concentration levels of those who attend breakfast club, so I’m pleased to see this scheme is delivering positive results for those who are taking part in it.”

The Snack and Play programme was introduced during the 2017 school summer holidays. Priority for places on the scheme is given to children entitled to free school meals and of the 1128 places allocated throughout this recent summer holiday, 326 were taken by those in receipt of this benefit. At the Snack & Play days, children enjoy games, arts & crafts, sports, quizzes, reading groups and of course a balanced, nutritious and free meal.

Following the recent Snack and Play holiday programme parents and children were asked to evaluate the service. Of the children, 92% said that they enjoyed their time on the programme and 91% of parents rated the service as excellent or very good.

Councillor Goodall said, “Snack & Play is evidently a very popular scheme and the positive feedback from children and parents is encouraging. The service will run again during this October break where the children attending will take part in a variety of activities, make new friends and share healthy meals together.”

Parents of children at * St Helen’s, Thomas Muir, Hillhead, Holy Trinity, Lennoxtown and St Machan’s primary schools can book now to secure a place.”

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