‘It helps me get to work on time’: Parents call for more free breakfast clubs

With responses from nearly 280 parents, the survey paints a clear picture of how breakfast clubs are becoming an essential part of the school routine for many families across the UK.

Why more mums are loving breakfast clubs

Over 60% of parents surveyed have children who either currently attend a breakfast club or would like to if one was available. Of those, 43% said their child goes to a breakfast club — and many of these are free government-funded clubs.

The top reasons? It’s not just about the food. More than 8 in 10 parents (81%) said a free breakfast club made it easier to drop their kids off at school. And over half (58%) said they’d be more likely to use one if it was free — a clear sign of how cost-of-living pressures are shaping family routines.

How breakfast clubs are helping kids – and their parents

For working parents, particularly mums, the benefits are big. A huge 85% of respondents said breakfast clubs help them get to work on time. But that’s not all — over a third of parents said their children are more ready to learn after attending.

Other key benefits include:

• Giving children a reason to look forward to school (36%)
• Making punctuality easier (33%)
• Helping children settle into the school day (30%)

One parent summed it up perfectly: “It helps me get to work without feeling like I’ve run a marathon before 9am.”

What kids are actually eating

If you’re picturing soggy cereal or sad toast, think again. While cereal is the top breakfast option (chosen by 39% of parents), toast comes in close behind at 32%. Other popular picks include yoghurt and fruit, bagels and porridge.

Still, there’s room for improvement. One parent shared, “The food could be more varied — sometimes it’s just toast every day.”

It’s not just the breakfast, it’s the buzz

So what makes kids actually excited to go to breakfast club?

• 69% said seeing friends
• 63% liked having time to play before school
• 38% enjoyed the food
• 37% mentioned activities

It’s clear that for many kids, breakfast club isn’t just a meal — it’s a social space that helps ease the transition into the school day. As one mum put it, “My daughter calls it her fun start before lessons.”

Do breakfast clubs really help kids learn better?

Parents seem to think so. More than half (54%) said their children focus better in class after attending. And while only 20% reported a noticeable academic improvement, most weren’t sure — suggesting more awareness or school feedback might help parents see the full impact.

What parents want next

For the 1 in 5 families not currently using a breakfast club but open to the idea, the biggest barrier is access. Over half (59%) said they’d use one if it was available at their school, and 25% said they wanted more information about what’s included.

When asked what could be improved, parents shared helpful suggestions:

• Better food variety
• More structured activities
• Earlier opening times for working parents

One parent suggested, “It would be great if the breakfast club could open from 7.30am — that would make a huge difference for working families.”

Breakfast clubs might seem like a small part of the school day, but for many families, they’re a lifeline — easing morning stress, saving money, and setting children up for success.

With parents calling for more access and funding, it’s clear these early morning sessions are about more than toast and cereal — they’re about supporting families in every sense.

See the full survey report here.

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