Thousands of nursery children in poverty could be missing out on free school meals

Data from a freedom of information request on Free School Meals' (FSM) eligibility in the maintained sector made by the Education Policy Institute (EPI) to the Department for Education shows that a growing number of nursery children are eligible for free school meals (FSM), up from 5 per cent in 2017 to 8 per cent in 2021.

The new data covers all maintained sector nurseries - both standalone maintained nurseries and those attached to schools. 

Unlike FSM for school-aged children, statistics on nursery FSM eligibility are not publicly available.

Children in private, voluntary and independent settings are not eligible for free school meals.

Around 23,600 nursery children (aged two and three at the start of the school year) were recorded as eligible for FSM in 2020/21.

However, it is not known how many of these children are taking up the offer. The EPI says that the data highlights that there are more nursery children that would benefit from FSM, but are missing out. 

The EPI states that a greater percentage of children in Reception are eligible for free school meals (19 per cent in 2021), indicating that there are more nursery children that would benefit from FSM than those recorded as eligible for them.

Dr Kerris Cooper, senior researcher at the EPI, who carried out the research, said 'this data sheds light on the reach of a policy which there is little knowledge of in relation to this younger age group.’

This is because in order to be recorded as ‘FSM eligible’ families have to not only be entitled to FSM by meeting the benefits and income-related criteria, but they also have to apply.

The statistics are set against the rising cost of living, with inflation at 7 per cent and growing concerns around food poverty.

The Food Foundation estimates that in January over 2.5 million children had experienced food insecurity in the last six months, and food insecurity reached the highest level yet, affecting 11 per cent of households compared to 8 per cent of households before the pandemic.

The EPI says that the wide-reaching impacts of food poverty cannot be underestimated. It is detrimental for children’s physical health and is associated with higher rates of obesity – a problem that has been worsening and is a cause for concern in early years settings.

Food poverty also has a negative impact on the home environment, with parents often skipping meals to protect children, and experiencing higher levels of stress which can have negative impacts on parents’ mental health and knock-on effects on parenting.

Food poverty also adversely affects children’s education, and is associated with poorer concentration at school, worse attendance and worse learning outcomes, as well as stigma and bullying.

Free school meals' eligibility and take up

Primary and secondary school children are eligible for FSM if their parents receive a qualifying benefit (including universal credit if their income is below £7,400). Since 2014, FSM eligibility in England has been expanded to include all children in Reception to Year 2. 

Children attending maintained sector (state funded) nurseries are also eligible for FSM if they meet the same eligibility criteria, with the additional condition that the child attends nursery before and after lunchtime.

‘What we still don’t know from this is how many nursery children who are eligible for FSM actually then take up the meals – and perhaps patterns of attendance preclude some children from doing so,' said Dr Cooper.

In contrast there is data on whether meals are taken up for older children in Reception to Year 2 since the introduction of universal infant free school meals in 2014.

She added, ‘But the bigger question which we are not able to answer is how many nursery children in food poverty are missing from these figures altogether, either due to not meeting the eligibility criteria, not applying, or attending a non-maintained sector nursery which is not required to provide FSM?

‘The pandemic shone a spotlight on the importance of free school meals for school children, but far less attention has been given to free school meals for nursery children despite being at greater risk of poverty.

‘This new data shows that a significant and growing number of children attending nursery are eligible for free meals, but there is great uncertainty around how many families actually take them up. 

‘This policy will be crucial given the ​expected rise in food poverty in the coming years, so it's essential that disadvantaged young children do not miss out from this intervention.’

She added, ‘Young children missing out on free school meals when they are eligible could have serious consequences. The adverse impact of food poverty on health and the home environment is well known, but it is likely that children's education and development will also suffer. 

‘The pandemic has ​already had a detrimental effect on early child development and school readiness, and this could be exacerbated if more children are also falling into food poverty.’

Last month, the Local Government Association, which represents councils, said automatic enrolment for free school meals should be introduced and eligibility expanded to include all children who meet the income criteria, regardless of their parents’ circumstances.

Government estimates on claim rates indicate that automatic enrolment could capture the 11 per cent of eligible school children who have not yet taken up the offer. Analysis by the LGA and the Child Poverty Action Group show this equates to 215,000 school children in England, under the current eligibility criteria.