Inspiring Scotland is delivering the Fund on behalf of Scottish Government and funding will be prioritised to areas where access to a breakfast club is most needed and will expand access to families who are on the lowest incomes, or most at risk of living in poverty.
It will enable existing breakfast clubs to expand their provision, as well as support the establishment of new breakfast clubs where needed.
The fund is open to a wide range of applicants including schools, Local Authorities, third sector organisations, registered childcare providers, activity providers, parent or volunteer groups, and childminders.
The fund will expand access to breakfast clubs for primary schoolchildren by combining provision of healthy and nutritious breakfast food with before-school supervision or childcare enabling early drop off for parents to support them to work or study.
Nearly 50% of primary and special schools in Scotland already provide access to breakfast. The purpose of the Bright Start Breakfasts fund will enable existing breakfast clubs to expand their provision and will support the establishment of new breakfast clubs where there is a need.
Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth said: “I am delighted to formally launch Bright Start Breakfasts, a programme which will crucially support our central mission to eradicate child poverty.
“This investment will create more free places at breakfast clubs across Scotland and give more children a positive start to the day, supporting them to achieve their learning potential. We know how important a healthy breakfast can be for children, particularly those most at risk of poverty, and I am grateful to providers who have already shown a keen interest to get involved.”