NEARLY four in 10 teachers claim to see children coming to school hungry every day.
Shocking research of 750 teachers found 37 per cent have children in their class who have not had breakfast that morning, with 63 per cent claiming this number has increased on last year.
And 29 per cent of teachers have given away their own food to a child, while 72 per cent believe the number attending breakfast clubs has risen.
The research, which also polled 1,228 parents, found 18 per cent of those have children who don’t always eat breakfast, with 19 per cent putting this down to them being in too much of a rush to get out of the door.
But nearly one in 10 (eight per cent) parents in low-income households said they simply run out of food in the house by the end of the week.
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A spokesperson for Kellogg’s, which commissioned the research to mark 25 years of supporting breakfast clubs, said: “The cost-of-living crisis is really beginning to bite for many, and is having a real impact on the food children are eating before school.
“Being hungry can affect how focused they are in class, how much they concentrate and reduce their mood and ability to learn.
“For many, breakfast clubs are the best way of making sure children get the food they need to keep them going throughout the morning, and we want to recognise the difference they can make for children.”
The study also found 22 per cent of the parents polled said their children attend a breakfast club, with 55 per cent claiming they are eating more frequently at a breakfast club than a year ago.
Top reasons for attending a breakfast club include not having time to make breakfast in the morning (16 per cent), not being able to afford what children want to eat (eight per cent) or enough of it (11 per cent) and so that parents can get to work earlier (51 per cent).
But 17 per cent said the food is better at the club than they can give at home.
It’s not just for food though, as of the 85 per cent who said their children like attending a breakfast club, 15 per cent said it’s because it’s warmer than it is at home while 13 per cent get help with their homework.
And 19 per cent of the parents turn to breakfast clubs to save money on childcare in the morning.
As a result, 58 per cent of parents are worried their child’s school will have to stop the service, because of funding challenges (53 per cent), staff shortages (29 per cent) or increased costs (48 per cent).
While 68 per cent of those who currently use a breakfast club said it would have a negative effect on them if it were to close, with 16 per cent claiming they would be forced to turn down work and eight per cent would have to stop working altogether.
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A spokesperson for Kellogg’s added: “Breakfast clubs have really been there for thousands of children in the 25 years we have been supporting them and this year we’re extending that support, to reach 20,000 more children.
"We provide funding for equipment, staff and food – making sure the youngsters who need it most can start the day with a full tummy to learn.”
Schools can apply for a cash grant from Kellogg’s to support with the cost of running their breakfast club.
