Parents in Gedling borough are being urged to take advantage of free school meals which are available for all infant-aged children following their introduction by the Government over two years ago.
An infant-aged child having a school lunch each day saves their parents over £420 a year and are available to all infants living in Nottinghamshire.
Chairman of the Council’s Personnel Committee, Councillor Sheila Place said: “Every child in reception, year 1 and year 2 in a state-funded school in Nottinghamshire is entitled to a free school meal.
“Many parents will probably be wanting to get a firmer grip on their household budgets as bills from Christmas spending start coming in. And this is a good way to make sizeable savings from a family budget, especially if you’ve got more than one infant-aged child.
“A child having a school lunch each day saves their parents over £420 a year. They also save their mums, dads or carers the time and money involved with making packed lunches.”
Studies have shown clear links between what children eat at lunchtime in school and how they focus with their teachers in the afternoon. It’s thought that better food in schools can also affect what children choose to eat at other times of the day.
The County Council serves up around 41,000 meals every day across 270 primary schools – free infant meals account for 27,000 of these.
Parents who have children of infant age, including those who started in reception last September, should contact their school to book their child in to enjoy a free school meal, if they haven’t already.
For further information visit www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/schooldinners or call 0300 500 80 80.
