Blog
How Good is Your Breakfast Club?
Because I arrive early in the morning to set up my day for my training day in schools, I often get to see breakfast clubs in progress and enjoy having a word with the good Breakfast Club staff. I think Breakfast Clubs are a fantastic idea.
However, when I walk into some clubs, like lunchtimes and dining halls, the experience they offer children are very variable. There are clubs that are vibrant, with children eating delicious food, finishing homework, doing games and engaging with the club staff before a circle time goodbye ritual when everyone goes off to start their day in school. It’s a lovely gentle way of going off into the morning. There are other clubs that I have been to where there is no choice – they just have bread or toast and jam with children getting very bored and there is a complete lack of warm, positive, helpful rituals.
So it was such a delight to come into work to see the breakfast table where I was working this week at Charlotte Infant and Nursery School in Derbyshire. A delicious spread of fresh fruit and bakery with colour and choice. The children seemed to really appreciate it too! Please all get together and have a meeting on ‘How good is our breakfast Club?’
Website Editor’s Notes
There has been a wealth of research into the benefits of children having a good breakfast. These include:
- Improved concentration
- Improved attendance and punctuality
- Better behaviour
- Improved attainment and achievement at school.
In addition to this, a 2008 report by the School Food Trust found that in deprived areas of London, KS2 SATs results were better in schools with breakfast clubs than in those without. It is sad to note that it was reported that over sixty per cent of school staff regularly witness children arriving at school hungry, so inviting these pupils to breakfast club ensures that they start the day with a proper breakfast, which has knock-on effects on their learning and behaviour.
Jenny’s lunchtimes and playtimes training is great for breakfast club supervisors too. For all enquiries, phone 01225 767157 or email circletime@jennymosley.co.uk or see www.circle-time.co.uk for details.