Yr Adran Plant, Addysg, Dysgu Gydol Oes a Sgiliau
Department for Children, Education, Lifelong Learning and Skills

Primary Schools Free Breakfast Initiative

Guidance
Welsh Assembly Government Circular No: 021/2008
Date of issue: 30 June 2008
Replaces Circular No: 010/2006

Primary Schools Free Breakfast Initiative
Audience

Maintained primary schools and Local Authorities in Wales.

Overview

This guidance provides advice for maintained primary schools and
Local Authorities in Wales on operating the Primary Schools Free
Breakfast Initiative.

Action required Local Authorities should ensure compliance with the information and guidance in this Circular.

Further information Additional copies Ruth Conway
Support for Learners Division
Department for Children, Education, Lifelong Learning and Skills
Welsh Assembly Government
Cathays Park
Cardiff, CF10 3NQ
Tel: 029 2082 3302

ISBN 978 0 7504 4757 7
© Crown copyright June 2008
D1480809

Further copies may be obtained from Jane Hare at the above address.
Tel: 029 2080 1076
This document can also be accessed from the Welsh
Assembly Government website at: http://www.wales.gov.uk/breakfast

Contents
Summary
Introduction
1. Background
2. Why provide breakfast?
3. Who could provide breakfast?

4
4
5

Setting Up
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

First Steps
Supervision
Training
Employment issues
Regulations

5
6
6
7
8

Location
9. The Venue 10
10. Storage 11

Operational Issues
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.

Timing 11
Children attending the breakfast session 11
Food items and portion sizes 12
Allergies/Special dietary requirements 14
Procurement 14

Funding
16. LEA Funding 15

Participation
17. Childrens involvement 15
18. Parents/Guardian involvement 15
19. Play/Educational activities 16

Primary Schools Free
Breakfast Initiative
June 2008
Guidance Document
No: 21/2008



Other Issues
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
27.

Primary Schools Free
Breakfast Initiative
June 2008
Guidance Document
No: 21/2008



School Crossing Patrols 16
Transport 16
Involving experts 16
Recycling 16
Publicising the Breakfast Session/Healthy Eating 17
Evaluation 17
Dental issues 17
Useful Websites 18

Summary
Welfare, Health and Safety
This guidance provides advice for maintained primary schools and Local Authorities in Wales on operating the Primary Schools
Free Breakfast Initiative.
The guidance gives details of:
• Why provide breakfast - Page 4
• Employment issues - Page 7
• Regulations - Page 8
• Food items and portion sizes - Page 12
• Health and Safety Risk Assessment - Annex B
• Promoting oral/dental health - Annex D

Primary Schools Free
Breakfast Initiative
June 2008
Guidance Document
No: 21/2008



Introduction
1. Background
The Welsh Assembly Government made a commitment to provide for all children of primary school age registered in maintained primary schools in Wales to have a free, healthy breakfast at school each day. This initiative is intended to help improve the health and concentration of children to assist in the raising of standards of learning and attainment. It will seek to involve parents but is not intended to replace breakfast already provided. It will allow all those that, for whatever reason, have not had breakfast, to have one in school.
Restricting the initiative to Primary Schools is principally intended to ensure not only that our youngest children are given a flying start in life, but also to ensure that the increasing practice of skipping breakfast is stemmed at the earliest possible age.
The initiative complements work already being done on healthy eating and nutrition through the Welsh Network of Healthy School
Schemes (WNHSS).

2. Why provide breakfast?
Breakfast has long been recognised as the most important meal of the day and evidence suggests that children who have the opportunity to eat a healthy and nutritious breakfast prior to the start of the school day are more likely to achieve their full educational potential. Experience has also shown that