More Carmarthenshire children have signed up to kick-start their day the healthy way.
Children at Bancyfelin Primary School, Carmarthen, have joined their school breakfast club so that they can tuck in to a healthy breakfast with friends before their school day begins.
Carmarthenshire County Council has one of the highest uptakes of breakfast clubs in Wales, and Bancyfelin Primary School has become the latest school to sign up.
Run by Carmarthenshire Catering Service, the Primary Free Breakfast Initiative is funded by the Welsh Assembly Government.
The clubs are open from 8am, and pupils can enjoy a free breakfast consisting of a choice of non sugar-coated cereal, toast, fruit and a glass of milk or fruit juice.
It was first introduced in Carmarthenshire in September 2004, when eight schools were involved.
Since then additional schools have joined and to date there are 106 participating schools.
Catering services manager Sandra Weigel said: “We are delighted that so many schools are recognising the benefits of a good healthy breakfast and are signing up to our breakfast club initiative.
“Breakfast has long been recognised as the most important meal of the day and evidence shows that a healthy breakfast is linked to better health, concentration and behaviour in our schools.”
Cllr Gwynne Wooldridge, executive board member for education and children’s services, added: “It was fantastic to see children gathered together before the school day to enjoy a hearty, and healthy, breakfast together.
“It is not only providing an extra service to parents who may need to drop their children off at school earlier than normal, but is giving children a good start to the day – it helps them maintain a healthy, balanced diet, and helps them to concentrate on their work when they get in to the classroom.
“It is a wonderful idea, and I am thrilled that so many schools are coming on board.”
