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Free School Dinners

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By (user no longer on site) OP over a year ago

For ALL Children aged between 4 and 7 year old.

Good idea or not?

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

bad...have you seen what they pass off as "food" in school cafeterias these days?

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

I have no idea about the quality of all school meals,but I have seen what some kids have for packed lunch.

Maybe going back to a set meal would help a lot of those struggling.

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"For ALL Children aged between 4 and 7 year old.

Good idea or not? "

It has to be a good idea if it takes away the free school dinner stigma it would be better though till the age of 16.

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

bad idea, councils cant afford it so other cuts will pay for it and half the kids wont eat them

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

Bad idea. No doubt children in the rest of the school will have to subsidise this with increased cost of there school lunches.

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

I think they definitely should be entitled to free milk!

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"bad idea, councils cant afford it so other cuts will pay for it and half the kids wont eat them"

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

Good idea.

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By *icked weaselCouple over a year ago

Near Edinburgh..

our primary school has a Healthy Eating Breakfast Club and its Free to all Primary kids..

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By (user no longer on site) OP over a year ago

No matter what income ?

I think its good for those on a low income who don't qulify for them. But what about those in the high earnings bracket ?

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

they should have their child benefit cut if they are getting free school meals, breakfasts and everything, why dont the parents just leave them at school and let them look after them full time.

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

Bad idea. Also breakfast clubs should be stopped too.

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By (user no longer on site) OP over a year ago

"Bad idea. Also breakfast clubs should be stopped too."

Breakfast clubs are a brilliant idea

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"they should have their child benefit cut if they are getting free school meals, breakfasts and everything, why dont the parents just leave them at school and let them look after them full time.

If you were up with what was happening you would realise many parents have had huge cuts in child benefits some have lost them completely as its not worth claiming due to tax hassle.

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By *icked weaselCouple over a year ago

Near Edinburgh..

" breakfast clubs should be stopped too."

WHY

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

So nice to see that "DAVES" big society is doing so well and looking after those less able.

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"Bad idea. Also breakfast clubs should be stopped too."

Why...? We have to pay and it helps us get to work on time...

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

if people arent prepared to get their kids breakfast and dinner they shouldnt have had them in the first place.

never mind the pensioners and the homeless single people, they can just starve and freeze to death.

what sort of a parent doesnt bother to feed their kids properly.

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"if people arent prepared to get their kids breakfast and dinner they shouldnt have had them in the first place.."

What a ridicules thing to say... Maybe we should quit our employment and claim all the other benefits..?

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"bad...have you seen what they pass off as "food" in school cafeterias these days? "

Your kidding right.. school meals now are really well provided for. And I think it's a good idea.

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"Bad idea. Also breakfast clubs should be stopped too.

Why...? We have to pay and it helps us get to work on time...

Couldnt you get up earlier.

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By (user no longer on site) OP over a year ago

"Bad idea. Also breakfast clubs should be stopped too.

Why...? We have to pay and it helps us get to work on time...

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By *reelove1969Couple over a year ago

bristol

I think the government should start providing free baby sitting services on a Friday and Saturday night so we can all go out and enjoy the money we have saved from the free school meals !

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"Bad idea. Also breakfast clubs should be stopped too.

Why...? We have to pay and it helps us get to work on time...

Couldnt you get up earlier.

Why..? Our work starts before the school day...

Take a minute and think.

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

Free school meals, good idea. Is it coming up to an election by any chance?

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By (user no longer on site) OP over a year ago

"I think the government should start providing free baby sitting services on a Friday and Saturday night so we can all go out and enjoy the money we have saved from the free school meals !

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"Bad idea. Also breakfast clubs should be stopped too.

Why...? We have to pay and it helps us get to work on time...

Couldnt you get up earlier.

Breakfast clubs aren't just about the food. It is an easier form of childcare so people can get to work.

Mine have breakfast at home then go there and have some toast as well

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By *iss_tressWoman over a year ago

London

I must live in a bubble as I had my children before such things as family friendly policies and somehow my husband and I managed to both hold down full time jobs and manage to sit down and have breakfast with our kids everyday!

Getting kids up and dumping them at school for others to feed is totally alien to me.

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

Prospective son of Ben will not go to school.

He will be educated by me and all my wisdom and cleverness...therefore school dinners are irrelevant.

...for the politically correct, if it's a girl it also applies.

My kids will be perfect.

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

Great idea. Our school dinners are really good, much better than a lukewarm soggy packed lunch.

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

have to say, for those that cant afford it then yes, but no to everyone else.

people seem to lean on schools/nurseries for all their childcare needs, then leave them with babysitters on a saturday night so they can go out with friends, so are actually only parents long enough to put them to bed every night, and on a sunday.

and yes, i do know what im saying.

ex brought up other peoples kids every day of the week.

some were infants (talking crawling, not walking) babies when they were dropped off at 7 in the morning, and collected at teatime.

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By *ilandlarryCouple over a year ago

more north lincs than mids!

"they should have their child benefit cut if they are getting free school meals, breakfasts and everything, why dont the parents just leave them at school and let them look after them full time.

It's not the parents asking for this, why are they getting the shit??

My son has healthier packed lunches than he would get for school meals. I for one won't be jumping to claim for them.

I feed my children well, we don't eat crap although we do have treats now and again however I am not allowed to give my children cakes/sweets but the schools are allowed to give them chocolate cake and custard

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"if people arent prepared to get their kids breakfast and dinner they shouldnt have had them in the first place.

never mind the pensioners and the homeless single people, they can just starve and freeze to death.

what sort of a parent doesnt bother to feed their kids properly."

School meals and breakfast clubs do not mean people don't bother to feed their children properly. If you are so bitter about social responsibility why not do something about it rather than pontificate with lack of real knowledge.

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

When we were kids,we ad t get up before we went t bed.

Walk on us hands and knees 5 miles for a bag o coal and mek fire before we went t school.

breakfast woz what we found on t way,

dinner were a stale crust and n warm dripin.

Never did us any harm.

Then again it was 1804 and things have change some what

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

Not against it but doesn't seem the best use of money.

I like making packed lunches.. most of the time..

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

Its only the Libs idea so little chance of it happening.

Unless they cut a deal with Dave to reduce child benefit to 50p a week,for anyone earning less than £100k.

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

People can't win judging by this thread. If they go to work they are neglecting their kids, if they stay at home they are scroungers xxx

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By *icked weaselCouple over a year ago

Near Edinburgh..

"Its only the Libs idea so little chance of it happening.

Unless they cut a deal with Dave to reduce child benefit to 50p a week,for anyone earning less than £100k."

Its Amazing and Disgusting

At The Amount of Celebrities from the UK.. That Claim Child-Benefit...

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"bad idea, councils cant afford it so other cuts will pay for it and half the kids wont eat them"

Only applies to English schools...

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By *upitersmileCouple over a year ago

Manchester

Good idea. Mine have packed lunch without a sweet, crisps or junk in sight through the spring/summer and school dinners through the winter. The dinners the school provides are very good but so few kids have them as they are healthy and expensive. Last year cost me over £30 a week for them to have school dinners, twice the price of packed lunch. We no longer get child benefit due to the recent cuts so this would help a lot even we only have one child that would qualify.

But I do agree that parents whose kids are on packed lunches should send then with healthy foods. The dinner ladies will not let the children here throw anything in the bin so parents can see exactly what their child has eaten for lunch.

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By *icecouple561Couple over a year ago
Forum Mod

East Sussex

"People can't win judging by this thread. If they go to work they are neglecting their kids, if they stay at home they are scroungers xxx"

Unfortunately this attitude prevails I felt really sad last night at the attitudes I saw displayed towards fellow human beings

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"Its only the Libs idea so little chance of it happening.

Unless they cut a deal with Dave to reduce child benefit to 50p a week,for anyone earning less than £100k."

There would be riots!

Very civil middle classed kind of riots though.

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By *icecouple561Couple over a year ago
Forum Mod

East Sussex

"Its only the Libs idea so little chance of it happening.

Unless they cut a deal with Dave to reduce child benefit to 50p a week,for anyone earning less than £100k.

Its Amazing and Disgusting

At The Amount of Celebrities from the UK.. That Claim Child-Benefit...

Is child benefit means tested?

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By *upitersmileCouple over a year ago

Manchester

"People can't win judging by this thread. If they go to work they are neglecting their kids, if they stay at home they are scroungers xxx"

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"People can't win judging by this thread. If they go to work they are neglecting their kids, if they stay at home they are scroungers xxx"

absolutely spot on comment damned if you do damned if you don't

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By *rightonsteveMan over a year ago

Brighton - even Hove!

"bad...have you seen what they pass off as "food" in school cafeterias these days? "

The food provided for pupils in schools in England under council control have a minimum nutritional standard, so even if they look, smell, taste and feel disgusting - they do the job. Some kids go to school with no breakfast due to poor parenting skills. If the pupils basic need of food is not met, they will not learn and grow up to be less useful to society as they might have been.

That 4 year old in the news today was starving. He was not entitled to free school meals.

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

Its a good idea and should maybe be for all kids not just younger ones as noone would be different then.

The meals they serve at my hobbits shool she enjoys but goes through fazes depends what her friends are on at the time...she takes a packed lunch at the moment

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By *upitersmileCouple over a year ago

Manchester

"Its only the Libs idea so little chance of it happening.

Unless they cut a deal with Dave to reduce child benefit to 50p a week,for anyone earning less than £100k.

Its Amazing and Disgusting

At The Amount of Celebrities from the UK.. That Claim Child-Benefit...

Is child benefit means tested? "

Yes. But only since jan 2013.

I forget the exact figure so forgive if I'm wrong. I believe if 1 parent earns more than 48k then it is stopped, but both parents could earn less than this each but total more together - both earn say 40k - and they would still qualify.

I understand some changes have been made to this but I haven't paid attention since they cut ours at the start of the year.

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By (user no longer on site) OP over a year ago

"People can't win judging by this thread. If they go to work they are neglecting their kids, if they stay at home they are scroungers xxx"

Spot on Cali and your so right steve x

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By *icecouple561Couple over a year ago
Forum Mod

East Sussex

"Its only the Libs idea so little chance of it happening.

Unless they cut a deal with Dave to reduce child benefit to 50p a week,for anyone earning less than £100k.

Its Amazing and Disgusting

At The Amount of Celebrities from the UK.. That Claim Child-Benefit...

Is child benefit means tested?

Yes. But only since jan 2013.

I understand some changes have been made to this but I haven't paid attention since they cut ours at the start of the year."

of course I remember now. What's this about celebrities then, does being famous automatically mean you're not allowed child benefit?

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By *icecouple561Couple over a year ago
Forum Mod

East Sussex

That 4 year old in the news today was starving. He was not entitled to free school meals. "

that poor child

I don't think school dinners would have saved him but I see your point.

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By *ollie_JCouple over a year ago

London

50k single income limit then you pay an escalating tax charge on the limit

So at 51k you still get the benefit but pay a tax on the increase of the 1k

By £60k the tax = the benefit

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"Its only the Libs idea so little chance of it happening.

Unless they cut a deal with Dave to reduce child benefit to 50p a week,for anyone earning less than £100k.

Its Amazing and Disgusting

At The Amount of Celebrities from the UK.. That Claim Child-Benefit...

Is child benefit means tested?

Yes. But only since jan 2013.

I understand some changes have been made to this but I haven't paid attention since they cut ours at the start of the year.

of course I remember now. What's this about celebrities then, does being famous automatically mean you're not allowed child benefit?"

i think that Katona parasite claim benefits, although i wouldnt swear on it.

unfortunately there are 4 (soon to be 5) kids depending on her for their upbringing.

shame she wasnt thinking the same when she was spunking her money up her nose, or in her leeching ex's gambling debts and so on

and the same goes for many, not all, celebs.

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"Bad idea. Also breakfast clubs should be stopped too."

If breakfast clubs were stopped lots of single people would have to find alternative child care for the mornings. It isn't free either

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By *icked weaselCouple over a year ago

Near Edinburgh..

"What's this about celebrities then, does being famous automatically mean you're not allowed child benefit?"

Not sure on this !!

But from the rules.. "IF" The Mother or Father has " No Income "

They can claim Child-Benefit..

Even if the other Parent Makes Millions..

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

We I like my kids on pack luch as I nw what there eating not like school dinner were I don't nw

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By *ollie_JCouple over a year ago

London

"What's this about celebrities then, does being famous automatically mean you're not allowed child benefit?

Not sure on this !!

But from the rules.. "IF" The Mother or Father has " No Income "

They can claim Child-Benefit..

Even if the other Parent Makes Millions.. "

No, see the pats above. If one of the partners earns above. £50k there is an escalating tax which kills the benefit at £60k

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By *icecouple561Couple over a year ago
Forum Mod

East Sussex

"What's this about celebrities then, does being famous automatically mean you're not allowed child benefit?

Not sure on this !!

But from the rules.. "IF" The Mother or Father has " No Income "

They can claim Child-Benefit..

Even if the other Parent Makes Millions.. "

I thought someone said there was a 48k limit

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

Without getting into a debate about quality - which is pretty damn good at the school ours go to - If it stops just one kid being hungry and provides them with a hot meal it is all good with me.

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By *upitersmileCouple over a year ago

Manchester

"What's this about celebrities then, does being famous automatically mean you're not allowed child benefit?

Not sure on this !!

But from the rules.. "IF" The Mother or Father has " No Income "

They can claim Child-Benefit..

Even if the other Parent Makes Millions.. "

This is incorrect. There is a scale upto 60k as east_mids posted above. But you can earn more combined.

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By *renchbambi xWoman over a year ago

Need to know basis

"For ALL Children aged between 4 and 7 year old.

Good idea or not? "

Its a lovely idea sweetie!

But since Jamie's programms on school dinners I really would not want my kids eating them...not that they would qualify anyway!

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"have to say, for those that cant afford it then yes, but no to everyone else.

and yes, i do know what im saying.

ex brought up other peoples kids every day of the week.

some were infants (talking crawling, not walking) babies when they were dropped off at 7 in the morning, and collected at teatime."

you only know your own experience not thousands of other parents who take whichever job is available to feed and clothe their children and don't have any choice but to take them (not dump) to breakfast club so they can get to work on time

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By *icked weaselCouple over a year ago

Near Edinburgh..

"What's this about celebrities then, does being famous automatically mean you're not allowed child benefit?

Not sure on this !!

But from the rules.. "IF" The Mother or Father has " No Income "

They can claim Child-Benefit..

Even if the other Parent Makes Millions..

I thought someone said there was a 48k limit

Sorry if im Wrong - and i hope you and the poster above you were right..

there was loads of rich-list people getting child-benefits.. i seriously hope it has been capped since ...

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By *ot pussy and big cockCouple over a year ago

Nr Newtown

On a slightly lighter note, who remembers the chocolate sponge with pink custard that they used to dish out only ever about once a fortnight...bloody lovely that was, but there was hardly ever enough left for seconds...

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By *renchbambi xWoman over a year ago

Need to know basis

"On a slightly lighter note, who remembers the chocolate sponge with pink custard that they used to dish out only ever about once a fortnight...bloody lovely that was, but there was hardly ever enough left for seconds...

I wish i had such memories! In France the only kids who were allowed school dinners were those who could not get home at lunch time and be back for afternoon lessons! I never got to taste school dinners! That sponge sounds delish x

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By *icecouple561Couple over a year ago
Forum Mod

East Sussex

"What's this about celebrities then, does being famous automatically mean you're not allowed child benefit?

Not sure on this !!

But from the rules.. "IF" The Mother or Father has " No Income "

They can claim Child-Benefit..

Even if the other Parent Makes Millions..

I thought someone said there was a 48k limit

Sorry if im Wrong - and i hope you and the poster above you were right..

there was loads of rich-list people getting child-benefits.. i seriously hope it has been capped since ...

at one time everyone with children was entitled to child benefit or family allowance or one of the many other names its been called. They were entitled to it and by accepting it were doing nothing wrong.

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By *ollie_JCouple over a year ago

London

That's getting close to the spirt of the benefit. A few years ago I chose not to indulge in legal tax avoidance schemes as I didn't think it was morally just. I think the same applies here.

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By *upitersmileCouple over a year ago

Manchester

"What's this about celebrities then, does being famous automatically mean you're not allowed child benefit?

Not sure on this !!

But from the rules.. "IF" The Mother or Father has " No Income "

They can claim Child-Benefit..

Even if the other Parent Makes Millions..

I thought someone said there was a 48k limit

Sorry if im Wrong - and i hope you and the poster above you were right..

there was loads of rich-list people getting child-benefits.. i seriously hope it has been capped since ...

It used to be the case that ALL parents received child benefit regardless of income. This all changed Jan 2013 to means testing.

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"have to say, for those that cant afford it then yes, but no to everyone else.

and yes, i do know what im saying.

ex brought up other peoples kids every day of the week.

some were infants (talking crawling, not walking) babies when they were dropped off at 7 in the morning, and collected at teatime.

the thing is, these werent people that were struggling to make ends meet

having to take a job on minimum wage, and pack the kids off early so they wouldnt get the sack.

these were people on good wages, wearing designer gear, driving expensive cars, that were happy to allow strangers, on minimum wage, to raise their kids for them, during the most impressionable age.

personally, i have no problem with breakfast clubs, and after school clubs, for those in that situation.

however, they shouldnt be available for parents where one or the other are out of work.

if someone is home, they should be raising their own offspring

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

[Removed by poster at 17/09/13 20:40:05]

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"have to say, for those that cant afford it then yes, but no to everyone else.

and yes, i do know what im saying.

ex brought up other peoples kids every day of the week.

some were infants (talking crawling, not walking) babies when they were dropped off at 7 in the morning, and collected at teatime.

the thing is, these werent people that were struggling to make ends meet

having to take a job on minimum wage, and pack the kids off early so they wouldnt get the sack.

these were people on good wages, wearing designer gear, driving expensive cars, that were happy to allow strangers, on minimum wage, to raise their kids for them, during the most impressionable age.

personally, i have no problem with breakfast clubs, and after school clubs, for those in that situation.

however, they shouldnt be available for parents where one or the other are out of work.

if someone is home, they should be raising their own offspring

And how do you think they weren't struggling to make ends meet. That's right by having there children looked after so they could go to work to earn that money. "

if they were struggling could have bought a cheaper Merc, or worn a less expensive fur coat/trouser suit.

sorry, but when you are driving round in a car thats worth twice the average wage, you cant plead poverty!

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By *upitersmileCouple over a year ago

Manchester

if someone is home, they should be raising their own offspring"

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By *obbygggMan over a year ago

Birmingham

"Without getting into a debate about quality - which is pretty damn good at the school ours go to - If it stops just one kid being hungry and provides them with a hot meal it is all good with me.

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By *abioMan over a year ago

Newcastle and Gateshead

"Its only the Libs idea so little chance of it happening.

Unless they cut a deal with Dave to reduce child benefit to 50p a week,for anyone earning less than £100k."

this one will happen.... because of extra revenue coming in, the treasury have give both parties 600 million to spend on one of their policies...

so the free school meals for reception, year 1 and 2 is a lib dem policy.. it wont need to be voted on and comes in starting the next school year....

notice what the conservatives has decided what to do with their 600 million... a tax break for married couples

as someone has said... if it give kids a healthy meal at least once a day in their formative years I dont have a issue...

actually i would tempted to now go back to jamie oliver and tell him to put his mouth where his programme was, and get him to design the menu.......

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

Doesn't primary school end at 11 ? Whys this not full primary school and just based at reception and KS1 ?

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By *emmefataleWoman over a year ago

dirtybigbadsgirlville

"For ALL Children aged between 4 and 7 year old.

Good idea or not? "
Good, some kids don't get decent meals at home, though people may mock school meals for some kids its the only "meal" of the day.

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By (user no longer on site) OP over a year ago

"For ALL Children aged between 4 and 7 year old.

Good idea or not? Good, some kids don't get decent meals at home, though people may mock school meals for some kids its the only "meal" of the day."

Good thinking

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By *icked weaselCouple over a year ago

Near Edinburgh..

Most of the Primary Breakfast Clubs in Scotland - Seems to be Free to All The Kids.... poor or not..

But Most of the foods seem to be really Healthy and vegetarian orientated.. No Nuts Whatsover !!!

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"Without getting into a debate about quality - which is pretty damn good at the school ours go to - If it stops just one kid being hungry and provides them with a hot meal it is all good with me.

Some kids dont get a decent hot meal at home and the school meal could be the best thing they are eating all day.

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By *emmefataleWoman over a year ago

dirtybigbadsgirlville

"Without getting into a debate about quality - which is pretty damn good at the school ours go to - If it stops just one kid being hungry and provides them with a hot meal it is all good with me.

Some kids dont get a decent hot meal at home and the school meal could be the best thing they are eating all day."
Its shocking really, I watched a documentary about this a few months back, the name escapes me, but some kids only ever eat at school, usually down to poverty, some down to "can't be bothered" parenting. Truly shocking!

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

It has been law now for a few years that primary school children who had school hot meals are given a nutritionally balanced meal. The amount of processed foods serverd are very restricted as are chips/roast potatoes. There should be at least two varieties of vegetables served and meat has to be trimmed of all visible fat. A vegetarian alternative has to be provided as does fresh fruit.

I used to be a school cook and spent many a happy hour helping prepare menus.

Similar nutritional law is now in place in secondary education too.

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"bad...have you seen what they pass off as "food" in school cafeterias these days?

That 4 year old in the news today was starving. He was not entitled to free school meals. "

Exactly my thoughts! The children shouldn't suffer. I as a child wouldn't eat breakfast but they started something where we had toast in the mornings and because my friends were eating it I did too! All children deserve a good start in life and who knows if its successful for the younger kids getting free school meals they might make it for all ages?

My own child has school dinners in the winter and she comes home and tells me what she's eaten that day and I'm really happy because quite often she has something that I wouldn't normally make at home, the OH is vegetarian so we eat a lot of meat free products at tea time but were happy knowing she's had something nutritional at school. I know my sister gives both her kids packed lunches because its cheaper which consists of sandwich, crisps and a biscuit

Surely a healthy dinner and breakfast which kick starts your metabolism is better in the long run. With teachers being able to control what the children are eating it should lead to less obesity so less cost on the nhs and children able to concentrate on their school life being able to get a better education. It doesn't apply to all parents as a lot of parents get it right but there are also a lot of parents who feed their kids shit, it's not the kids fault.

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

Oh and I support free school meals for 4-7 year olds, it's not about the freeness so much, it's a valuble time for children, it enhances social skills as well as helping language development and independance.

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"For ALL Children aged between 4 and 7 year old.

Good idea or not? "

Should be for all school children especially people on lower income who are working instead of it just being given to people who don't work !

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

[Removed by poster at 18/09/13 00:25:15]

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"For ALL Children aged between 4 and 7 year old.

Good idea or not?

Should be for all school children especially people on lower income who are working instead of it just being given to people who don't work !"

Dependent on your local county council low income families can claim free school meals for children up to the age of 16

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"Oh and I support free school meals for 4-7 year olds, it's not about the freeness so much, it's a valuble time for children, it enhances social skills as well as helping language development and independance."

Actually that's a very good point thinking on it they are all at the same level in the dining hall and it gives many social skills and promotes independence they may not have achieved. elsewhere.

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"Without getting into a debate about quality - which is pretty damn good at the school ours go to - If it stops just one kid being hungry and provides them with a hot meal it is all good with me.

Some kids dont get a decent hot meal at home and the school meal could be the best thing they are eating all day.Its shocking really, I watched a documentary about this a few months back, the name escapes me, but some kids only ever eat at school, usually down to poverty, some down to "can't be bothered" parenting. Truly shocking!

I think i watched it also knew the head at my daughters school when she started and she told me that they introduced a big salad bar with pasta and fruit and such so the kids could have as much as they wanted and it was free so the ones who didnt eat properly at home could fill up as that was the only decent meal of the day,i think parenting classes and cookery classes shoukd be available to those who cant so they can learn to make a decent meal....one of my hobbits friends has told me they have hotdogs and beans and supernoodles for tea most days

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"Without getting into a debate about quality - which is pretty damn good at the school ours go to - If it stops just one kid being hungry and provides them with a hot meal it is all good with me.

There are parenting classes it's just finding them. I attended some years ago, we went through different scenarios and how we'd deal with different things. At the same place we had healthy cooking lessons where the children got involved it was great. I didn't do this because I was a bad parent but because I wanted to be a better parent. It was at the local children's centre which is a nursery, I heard about it through play group so I thought heck it's not gunna hurt is it!?

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

[Removed by poster at 18/09/13 07:23:06]

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

Breakfast clubs aren't about giving your child necessarily. For me, in my previous job, I had to be at work for 9 am and it was a 45 min drive. Would I have been a better parent if I had let him have breakfast at home but then he had to walk 20 mins to get to school at 6 years old?

Also, childcare costs in this country are shockingly expensive. So while my child was at nursery I was on of those parents who didn't collect him until 6pm. It cost £30 per day so i made sure i was getting the full day. It also meant i had quality time with him when we got home as i didn't have to start cooking tea, tidying up etc. My time was with him until he went to bed.

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By *iss_tressWoman over a year ago

London

Replace teacher with parents then

My friend often spends her weekends in charity shops. She buys shoes. Why? To enable her to give to her students many of whom don't have any: this is not in darkest Africa but the London borough of Newham.

Since when did it become the job of teachers to feed and clothe other peoples children?!!

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

The annual cost of this scheme is less than 3 days interest repayments our government has been forced to spend servicing our national debt…..

The austerity measures we’ve undertaken as a nation is an attempt to regain some kind of control of how we allocate Tax revenues in ways which improve the lives of all citizens in our country….

So for me offering young children the option of free school meals is a Great idea,,,,,,

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"For ALL Children aged between 4 and 7 year old.

Good idea or not?

Should be for all school children especially people on lower income who are working instead of it just being given to people who don't work !

Dependent on your local county council low income families can claim free school meals for children up to the age of 16"

I think it's all schools as long as you don't receive working tax credits.

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By (user no longer on site) OP over a year ago

I don't see why its restricted to 4-7 year olds. Why not all Primary School Children ?

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"I don't see why its restricted to 4-7 year olds. Why not all Primary School Children ? "

That's a very good point actually.. but guess it's cost.

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

I would have no problem paying for my kids school dinners, it means the budget can go somewhere else such as new equipment for instance.

Free school dinners are a bonus

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

The question that really should be asked is why is there a need for free school dinners in the first place?

Why is there a need for Breakfast clubs etc etc?

As someone older than most on here I can only relate to how we did things.

In our day you would never consider having kids until you could afford to have them. We were engaged for 2 years and married for 7 before we tried for our first.

We ensured we had gotten ourselves to a point where we could bring a child into the world and totally look after them ourselves, the only thing the state ever gave us was family allowance.

I am sure I will battered for suggesting it but if more folk nowadays had that kind of old school outlook most kids would be being parented properly instead of being farmed out for someone else to take care off

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"The question that really should be asked is why is there a need for free school dinners in the first place?

Why is there a need for Breakfast clubs etc etc?

As someone older than most on here I can only relate to how we did things.

In our day you would never consider having kids until you could afford to have them. We were engaged for 2 years and married for 7 before we tried for our first.

We ensured we had gotten ourselves to a point where we could bring a child into the world and totally look after them ourselves, the only thing the state ever gave us was family allowance.

I agree, when I have kids, I would fully expect to pay for there meals, no matter where they are

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"The question that really should be asked is why is there a need for free school dinners in the first place?

Why is there a need for Breakfast clubs etc etc?

As someone older than most on here I can only relate to how we did things.

In our day you would never consider having kids until you could afford to have them. We were engaged for 2 years and married for 7 before we tried for our first.

We ensured we had gotten ourselves to a point where we could bring a child into the world and totally look after them ourselves, the only thing the state ever gave us was family allowance.

The voice of common sense.

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

One of the other things our local school does at a breakfast club once the kids have had something to eat if they want is they open the ict suit for them and they are allowed to go on the computers. These kids that are 5-6 year old know how to use the computers better than I do. They also open the library and can help themselves to any book they want.

They aren't forced to go and read but there is more that pick the library over any other activity available. Surely this is a good thing.

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By *layfullsamMan over a year ago

Solihull

"bad...have you seen what they pass off as "food" in school cafeterias these days? "

are turkey twizzlers still on the menu ?!

I had to contend with the problem of hiding liver and onions in the drinks jug when everyone else on the table had finished as we weren't supposed to leave food on the plate

took them a few weeks to work out why liver and onions were in the water jug but oh dear when they did !

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By *iss_tressWoman over a year ago

London

"The question that really should be asked is why is there a need for free school dinners in the first place?

Why is there a need for Breakfast clubs etc etc?

As someone older than most on here I can only relate to how we did things.

In our day you would never consider having kids until you could afford to have them. We were engaged for 2 years and married for 7 before we tried for our first.

We ensured we had gotten ourselves to a point where we could bring a child into the world and totally look after them ourselves, the only thing the state ever gave us was family allowance.

I'm the same generation as you. Everything you've said I'm in agreement with!

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"The question that really should be asked is why is there a need for free school dinners in the first place?

Why is there a need for Breakfast clubs etc etc?

As someone older than most on here I can only relate to how we did things.

In our day you would never consider having kids until you could afford to have them. We were engaged for 2 years and married for 7 before we tried for our first.

We ensured we had gotten ourselves to a point where we could bring a child into the world and totally look after them ourselves, the only thing the state ever gave us was family allowance.

I'm the same generation as you. Everything you've said I'm in agreement with!

I agree with the theory. I just think things are more expensive these days (mortgages and fuel bills, I don't mean big screen tv's) so it's harder for one parent to stay home or work less hours.

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

Yes free meal for all school children .

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By *iss_tressWoman over a year ago

London

"One of the other things our local school does at a breakfast club once the kids have had something to eat if they want is they open the ict suit for them and they are allowed to go on the computers. These kids that are 5-6 year old know how to use the computers better than I do. They also open the library and can help themselves to any book they want.

They aren't forced to go and read but there is more that pick the library over any other activity available. Surely this is a good thing. "

My daughters could all read before they started school because every night my husband and I would read to them.

Every Saturday we went to Nunhead library, everyone would pick about four books, we'd stop off at Ayres the bakers for iced buns, before heading home. We'd grab a cold drink from the fridge before everyone found their spot with their iced bun and a book!

I actually enjoyed teaching my kids to read and write, as my dad did with me and no doubt as my children will with theirs!

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

I think its bloody marvelous that there are so many options for parents these days,working patterns are very different than when I was a child,its a very different working environment these days and I would never think that parents were dumping their children onto someone else to be fed or brought up,if the choice had been there when mine were younger I may have used them myself

As for free school dinners,well mine hated school dinners and would never have entertained them,the dinner ladies would inspect their trays and tell them off if they had'nt eaten enough so they preferred packed lunches anyway,but I can't see anything wrong with offering free ones to the little ones

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By *iss_tressWoman over a year ago

London

"The question that really should be asked is why is there a need for free school dinners in the first place?

Why is there a need for Breakfast clubs etc etc?

As someone older than most on here I can only relate to how we did things.

In our day you would never consider having kids until you could afford to have them. We were engaged for 2 years and married for 7 before we tried for our first.

We ensured we had gotten ourselves to a point where we could bring a child into the world and totally look after them ourselves, the only thing the state ever gave us was family allowance.

I'm the same generation as you. Everything you've said I'm in agreement with!

I agree with the theory. I just think things are more expensive these days (mortgages and fuel bills, I don't mean big screen tv's) so it's harder for one parent to stay home or work less hours. "

It's relative. My daughters nursery fee was more than the mortgage. We both worked, one day the other nights to ensure our kids were catered for: by us!

Different generation I guess, we just didn't see it as anyone elses responsibility to look after our kids.

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"The question that really should be asked is why is there a need for free school dinners in the first place?

Why is there a need for Breakfast clubs etc etc?

As someone older than most on here I can only relate to how we did things.

In our day you would never consider having kids until you could afford to have them. We were engaged for 2 years and married for 7 before we tried for our first.

We ensured we had gotten ourselves to a point where we could bring a child into the world and totally look after them ourselves, the only thing the state ever gave us was family allowance.

I'm the same generation as you. Everything you've said I'm in agreement with!

I agree with the theory. I just think things are more expensive these days (mortgages and fuel bills, I don't mean big screen tv's) so it's harder for one parent to stay home or work less hours.

It's relative. My daughters nursery fee was more than the mortgage. We both worked, one day the other nights to ensure our kids were catered for: by us!

Different generation I guess, we just didn't see it as anyone elses responsibility to look after our kids. "

It's ok if you can both get jobs with hours like that. But we are in the real world here and not everyone is able to so childcare needs to be used wether that is a childminder or school clubs. We have had childminders ad now only use the breakfast club and not once did we think it was someone else's responsibility to bring up our children. But we must work to keep the roof over there heads

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By *icketysplitsWoman over a year ago

Way over Yonder, that's where I'm bound

I haven't read all of the posts so forgive repetition.

I think it's a good idea for a few of reasons.

1. Those that don't eat at home for whatever reason will get a meal

2. The link between food/nutrition and early brain and physical development is obvious

3. Working parents often don't have a choice about their hours these days. School days are a set period and everything revolves around making that work. You aren't given special dispensation when claiming JSA for being a parent, that's government policy so if work is to pay then you have to do the work when it's there.

4. The children get the morning chatter and socialisation out of the way and can then settle into the school work day better.

I would also let them have bottles of water. Dehydration affects concentration and they should be able to have some on hand - filled from the water fountain.

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

Not

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By *iss_tressWoman over a year ago

London

"The question that really should be asked is why is there a need for free school dinners in the first place?

Why is there a need for Breakfast clubs etc etc?

As someone older than most on here I can only relate to how we did things.

In our day you would never consider having kids until you could afford to have them. We were engaged for 2 years and married for 7 before we tried for our first.

We ensured we had gotten ourselves to a point where we could bring a child into the world and totally look after them ourselves, the only thing the state ever gave us was family allowance.

I'm the same generation as you. Everything you've said I'm in agreement with!

I agree with the theory. I just think things are more expensive these days (mortgages and fuel bills, I don't mean big screen tv's) so it's harder for one parent to stay home or work less hours.

It's relative. My daughters nursery fee was more than the mortgage. We both worked, one day the other nights to ensure our kids were catered for: by us!

Different generation I guess, we just didn't see it as anyone elses responsibility to look after our kids.

What others expect the state to do for them is their choice. In the world where people accept responsibility for their children they change jobs (my husband left a management job to do night security as the hours fit) at substantially less pay.

This was the 1980s, I daresay if it were today I might have a different mindset.

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

[Removed by poster at 18/09/13 13:57:12]

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"The question that really should be asked is why is there a need for free school dinners in the first place?

Why is there a need for Breakfast clubs etc etc?

As someone older than most on here I can only relate to how we did things.

In our day you would never consider having kids until you could afford to have them. We were engaged for 2 years and married for 7 before we tried for our first.

We ensured we had gotten ourselves to a point where we could bring a child into the world and totally look after them ourselves, the only thing the state ever gave us was family allowance.

I'm the same generation as you. Everything you've said I'm in agreement with!

I agree with the theory. I just think things are more expensive these days (mortgages and fuel bills, I don't mean big screen tv's) so it's harder for one parent to stay home or work less hours.

It's relative. My daughters nursery fee was more than the mortgage. We both worked, one day the other nights to ensure our kids were catered for: by us!

Different generation I guess, we just didn't see it as anyone elses responsibility to look after our kids.

This was the 1980s, I daresay if it were today I might have a different mindset."

God it must be lovely to live in your perfect little world. How the hell are u meant to change jobs when there is so little of them available in the first place never mind ones where the hours suit what was need.

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

Only thing that puzzles me about this is that it isn't means tested. Given that Dave & Co have only recently applied means testing to Child Benefit, claiming that better off families do not need it, they then proceed to apply a different rule to free school dinners? I wish they would make their minds up as to whether their policies are going to be discriminatory or not!