SWANSEA Council and schools across the city are pulling out all the stops to continue to provide thousands of breakfasts to city primary school youngsters every morning from September.
The Council has offered all schools a 30-minute breakfast club at no charge to parents in line with Welsh Government guidance.
But primary schools will need to make their own takeover arrangements for childcare for pupils around breakfast clubs provided by the Council.
Schools have been getting advice and guidance on what they need to put in place by September if they choose to provide childcare before the 30-minute breakfast club start-time.
Schools will inform families of what they are able to provide. The Council is also gathering information from schools to post on its website so parents can prepare for the September changes.
Cllr Jen Raynor, Swansea Council Cabinet Member for Education, said free breakfast clubs provided by the Council will last for 30 minutes and any other childcare needed before school starts would have to be provided separately.
She said: “When the Welsh Government breakfast club scheme started it was grant funded and all costs were met, but since 2013/14 there has been no specific grant from the Welsh Government. It is funded through the general funds the Welsh Government gives the Council for all services, which has made it increasingly difficult to meet demand within the money available.
“That is why we are not only working with schools to try to find ways to continue to provide breakfast for free within the recommended half-hour of supervision, but are also working out ways of providing extra childcare over and above that period, possibly at a small charge to parents to help mums and dads go to work or engage in training.
“Almost every primary school in Swansea currently makes use of the free breakfast clubs, and all indications are that they will continue in the vast majority of schools from September to allow pupils, including some of the most vulnerable youngsters in this city, to get the very best start to the day.
“I would like to thank all the head teachers for the work they are doing to find the best solution for their school.”
Parents wanting to know what will be happening in their child’s primary school in September should contact their school. Details on what is happening at schools which have provided information to the Council will be available at www.swansea.gov.uk/schoolbreakfastclubs
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