John Healey MP was able to witness the benefits of breakfast clubs first-hand during a visit to Rawmarsh Thorogate school ahead of the rollout of free breakfast clubs for children in primary schools.

Families across Rotherham will soon be able to access quality before-school childcare as the government pushes ahead with the Children’s Wellbeing & Schools Bill to roll out free breakfast clubs across the country.

It comes as new research reveals that almost 23 thousand children in Rotherham could benefit from free breakfast clubs, boosting their attendance, attainment, readiness to learn, wellbeing and behaviour. In addition, the clubs are set to support parents to work the jobs and hours they choose, less restricted by school drop-offs and saving them money on childcare.

Rawmarsh and Conisbrough MP, John Healey, said:

“Breakfast clubs boost parents’ work choices and children’s life chances, improving attendance and attainment as well as keeping money in parents’ pockets.

“That’s why it’s a shame these clubs were only available in one in ten schools under the previous government. We will make them available to every child.

“It was great to hear from school staff about the impact breakfast clubs can have on the community and see first-hand how much children get out of attending.

“Where you’re from shouldn’t determine where you end up. If you work hard, you should be able to get on in life. These are values held by people across our area and it begins with free breakfast clubs.”

John’s visit to Rawmarsh Thorogate follows the Second Reading of the Government’s Children’s Wellbeing & Schools Bill, new legislation to ensure children and families have access to a free breakfast club at their local primary school.

Ministers have kick-started the programme through an early adopter scheme, with applications having opened in November 2024 and rollout being delivered from April 2025. Funding was provided at the Budget to fix the foundations and deliver change, which tripled investment in breakfast clubs to over £33 million.

The breakfast clubs form part of the government’s mission to break the unfair link between background and opportunity. The government has pledged to get a record proportion of children school-ready – hitting key targets on personal, social and physical development as well as communication, literacy and maths.