COUNTY schools are being urged to sign up for the government’s ‘early adopter’ rollout of free breakfast clubs.

Families in Worcestershire will soon be able to access 30 minutes of free childcare ahead of the start of the school day as the government pushes ahead with breakfast clubs across the country.  

Applications are now open for 750 state schools with primary aged-pupils to be among the first to join, with the first breakfast clubs expected to be up and running from April.

SUPPORT: Richard Udall is backing the breakfast club schemeSUPPORT: Richard Udall is backing the breakfast club scheme (Image: Submitted)

Worcester councillor Richard Udall is urging local schools to sign up to join the rollout and support children to start the school day ready to learn.

Cllr Udall said: “Free breakfast clubs are great for parents, great for kids, and great for our economy too.

“Labour’s breakfast clubs will make a huge difference for families in Worcestershire - they make it easier for busy mums and dads to make the time for work and drop off the kids.

“They ensure children don’t start school hungry, and they help families with the cost of living too.

“This is a huge opportunity for local schools to get in early and start reaping the benefits of free breakfast clubs from April next year.

READ MORE: SEND provision: Worcester MP said council 'backtracked'

READ MORE: Oasis Academy Warndon in Worcester wins UNICEF award

“I strongly encourage local schools to apply.”

Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced the Government will triple its investment in breakfast clubs to more than £30 million in 2025/26 in her Budget last month.

Education secretary Bridget Phillipson said: “This is a landmark opportunity for schools to be in the vanguard of change as we build back the foundations of an education system that breaks the link between children’s background and the opportunities they have in life.

“From helping with flexible working for families to improving behaviour and attendance, the supportive start to the day that breakfast clubs provide will help drive high and rising standards for every child.”

The £7 million trial of breakfast clubs in England, which will test the delivery of the programme ahead of a wider national rollout, was announced at Labour’s party conference in September.