Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what guidance her department has issued to schools that cannot recruit staff for the free breakfast club session, including on the use of external providers, existing support staff on extended hours, and volunteers.

Published research from the early adopter scheme provides encouraging evidence on staffing, showing that schools have adapted their staffing and deployment models to their individual circumstances and delivered reliable provision. This research is available at: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6ad8c07e4e6a61c502e89fc2/Breakfast_club_early_adopters_research_report.pdf.

The department’s free breakfast clubs guidance makes it clear that school leaders should identify the staffing model that best meets the needs of children, families and staff, and recruit accordingly. The guidance is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/free-breakfast-clubs-guidance-for-schools-and-trusts/free-breakfast-clubs-guidance-for-schools-and-trusts-for-phase-1-of-the-national-rollout-from-april-2026#staffing.

The workforce toolkit also provides practical information on options, including external providers, existing support staff and volunteers, and is available at: https://earlyyearscareers.campaign.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/182/2026/09/Workforce-Toolkit-Recruiting-Retaining-and-Support-Your-Workforce.pdf.

Schools are supported to deliver their free breakfast clubs successfully through guidance and practical tools, peer support networks and tailored support from expert advisers and breakfast club champions.