A Good Practice Guide for Breakfast Clubs

Category: Children's health

Children's health

Breakfast clubs were first set up to combat poverty and malnourishment in disadvantaged communities. Since their development, research indicates that breakfast clubs are more than a means of providing food. The benefits of breakfast clubs to the social and personal development of children and their families are numerous.

Breakfast clubs provide a fun and safe place for children to meet their friends before school, which is especially important for children who find school challenging and have difficulty socialising. They can also be a wonderful opportunity to welcome families within the school setting, and can help relieve family pressures and stress through the provision of an alternative approach to breakfast. Breakfast clubs can be a real support to families and help build positive relationships between the school and the local community.

The Irish Primary Principals’ Network, together with other education partners, has been involved in supporting Healthy Food for All. They have developed “A Good Practice Guide for Breakfast Clubs” in acknowledgement of the excellent work being carried out in breakfast clubs in many communities around the country.

The guide builds on this work and seeks to encourage and spur on other schools and community groups to establish and develop more such breakfast clubs.

It can be found at: A Good Practice Guide for Breakfast Clubs.

The paediatric dietitians interest group recommends its use in schools and communities where any or many of the needs outlined exist for children in today’s modern and complex society.

Created by the Paediatric Dietitians’ Interest Group (PDIG) of the Irish Nutrition and Dietetic Institute (INDI) November 2015. Review date: November 2018

© 2015 Irish Nutrition and Dietetics Institute, INDI. All rights reserved. May be reproduced in its entirety provided the source is acknowledged. It is intended for educational and informational purposes only. This information is not meant to replace advice from your medical doctor or individual counselling with a dietitian.