School breakfast clubs are a lifeline for working parents, with nearly half saying they would struggle to get to work on time without them. A survey of 2,000 parents with primary school-age children found 35% would have to cut their working hours or ask for more flexibility if breakfast clubs stopped, and 43% said it would put real pressure on their morning routine.
However, demand is rising. Of 1,000 primary school teachers surveyed, 73% said demand for breakfast clubs has increased over the past five years, and only one in five think their school will be able to expand their club to keep up.
Rising demand and access concerns
The research, commissioned by Kellogg's, also found that 71% of teachers do not think enough children can access the breakfast clubs they need. Staffing shortages are one of the biggest barriers to expanding provision (27%), alongside a lack of dining space (24%) and lack of equipment (19%).
As a result, one in seven teachers say capacity could reduce or their club could close if no additional support is provided in the next one to three years.
Community effort behind clubs
The research highlighted the dedication required from the whole community to run breakfast clubs daily. Half of teachers involved in delivering breakfast club provision spend between three and five hours each week helping to run their club. Meanwhile, 46% of teachers say friends and family volunteer to help, and a third say pupils' parents are among the hidden heroes giving their time.
Kellogg's celebrates 15 years of awards
Kellogg's is marking 15 years of its Breakfast Club Awards, honouring staff, volunteers and children who go above and beyond to make their clubs special. Winning schools will receive a £1,000 cash grant to enhance their breakfast club, with teachers and pupils invited to an awards ceremony at the Houses of Parliament in November.
Of the teachers who have applied or won a cash grant over the last 15 years, 96% reported their breakfast club improved pupils' concentration, and 94% noted improvements in punctuality. Additionally, 93% observed positive impacts on children's ability to make friends and socialise.
Dean O'Brien, UK general manager at Kellogg's, said: "We've supported school breakfast clubs for nearly 30 years in the UK, so we know the dedication it takes to make breakfast clubs happen day in, day out, and our research backs that up. At a time when many families are facing cost pressures and busy morning routines, breakfast clubs are more important than ever. We're so proud to honour the care and support which teachers, volunteers and the wider school communities pour into their breakfast clubs every morning. They are a welcoming, thriving part of the school day and help to set every child up for their best start."
