A new survey has found almost four in 10 teachers say children have come to school hungry. The survey, of 750 teachers, found 37% have children in their class who had not had breakfast in the morning.
Around 63% say this has increased over the last year. Additionally, 29% of teachers say they have given their own food to a child, while a majority have also seen an increase in youngsters attending breakfast clubs.
The research from Kellogs also polled 1,228 parents. It found 18% of those have children who do not always eat breakfast, with 19% saying that was down to a morning rush.
But almost one in 10 (8%) of parents from low-income households said they simply run out of food towards the end of the week. A spokesperson for Kellogg’s, which commissioned the research to mark 25 years of supporting breakfast clubs, said: “The cost-of-living crisis is really beginning to bite for many, and is having a real impact on the food children are eating before school.
“Being hungry can affect how focused they are in class, how much they concentrate and reduce their mood and ability to learn. For many, breakfast clubs are the best way of making sure children get the food they need to keep them going throughout the morning, and we want to recognise the difference they can make for children.”
The study also found 22% of the parents polled said their children attend a breakfast club, with 55% claiming they are eating more frequently at a breakfast club than a year ago. Top reasons for attending a breakfast club include not having time to make breakfast in the morning (16%t), not being able to afford what children want to eat (8%) or enough of it (11%) and so that parents can get to work earlier (51 per cent).
But 17% said the food is better at the club than they can give at home. It’s not just for food though, as of the 85% who said their children like attending a breakfast club, 15% said it’s because it’s warmer than it is at home while 13% get help with their homework.
And 19% of the parents turn to breakfast clubs to save money on childcare in the morning. As a result, 58% of parents are worried their child’s school will have to stop the service, because of funding challenges (53%), staff shortages (29%) or increased costs (48 per cent).
While 68% of those who currently use a breakfast club said it would have a negative effect on them if it were to close, with 16% claiming they would be forced to turn down work and 8% would have to stop working altogether.
A spokesperson for Kellogg’s added: “Breakfast clubs have really been there for thousands of children in the 25 years we have been supporting them and this year we’re extending that support, to reach 20,000 more children. We provide funding for equipment, staff and food - making sure the youngsters who need it most can start the day with a full tummy to learn.”
Schools can apply for a cash grant from Kellogg’s at https://www.kelloggs.co.uk/en_GB/our-story/feeding-people-in-need/support-for-school-breakfast-clubs/grants-for-schools.html to support with the cost of running their breakfast club.
