We know that in this current climate affording even the barest of essentials is a struggle for many families. That’s why we like to reflect on what we can do as a company to help children while they’re in our care.
As we covered in a previous blog post, one thing that we do to aid in this effort is offering breakfast to our morning wraparound students. These children can have up to two slices of hot, buttered toast while they’re with us. But we’ve been listening to feedback, and we realise that we can also use our platform to signpost parents/guardians/responsible adults to useful services.
Feeding children can be a cause for concern, a difficulty for some adults at the moment. We know that many schools now operate a foodbank/food-parcel service (Rothwell Schools for example, have ‘beehives’ on their school playgrounds where adults can take what they need. It’s based on a principle of honesty, and it works well to help the people who need it the most!) and so it may be worth checking if your school offers a similar service.
The NHS offers a scheme that provides vouchers for food and milk, people in receipt of Universal Credits, Child Tax credits and on earned income that is under £408 a month, may be entitled. There is, of course, more details regarding eligibility, but it is a scheme that may work for some parents. The NHS is here to help, just as we are too. Further information and details on how to apply can be found by following this link: https://www.
Aside from receiving help from foodbanks- of which there are a significant amount in most locations due to the cost of living crisis, help can be obtained from local councils. Councils have individual schemes and services that they can offer: from hardship funds, to food vouchers, helping your child to access free school meals- there are lots of things councils can do to help! So to find out what your council offers, look them up via this link- you never know, there could well be something there to help you, and at the moment, every penny helps! https://www.gov.uk/
We’re committed to ensuring that our complimentary breakfast continues for our earliest arrivals at our morning wraparound service. We care for the children we take to school, and it makes us happy to know they’re ready to start the day with full tummies! Likewise we will continue to provide healthy, delicious snacks in the afternoon for the children who are booked on for them. Variety is the spice of life, and we endeavour to provide plenty of choice for the snack-time!
Finally, everyone deserves a treat, and to eat out if they can afford it; developing healthy eating habits (which includes the occasional treat is so very important!) is essential in early childhood. Therefore, you can find an image below that contains information for where children can eat for free/eat at a cheaper cost over the forthcoming summer holidays.
We hope this has helped!