School Milk

Day Care Foods Scheme

In Northern Ireland, the Day Care Foods Scheme provides 189ml(1/3 pint) of milk each day, free of charge, to all children under the age of 5 years who attend approved day care facilities for 2 hours or more.

The scheme provides whole or semi-skimmed pasteurised cow’s milk. Babies under 12 months may receive powdered infant formula based on cow’s milk made up to 189ml (1/3 pint) each day, free of charge.

If your child attends any of the above settings, it’s worth checking childcare providers are familiar with the Day Care Foods Scheme and offer free milk to children in their care. The Department of Health Social Services and Public Safety for Northern Ireland is responsible for the legislation governing the scheme. The Business Services Organisation administers the scheme on the Departments behalf. If your childcare providers are not registered with the Day Care Foods Scheme, they can find out more information, including how to claim for free milk.

Primary and Secondary Milk Scheme

Primary and secondary schools can sign up to a voluntary scheme that allows them to buy milk at a reduced price. This discount is possible because part of the cost is subsidised by the Northern Ireland government. This allows schools to offer milk to students at a lower price.

The subsidised scheme includes whole or semi-skimmed cow’s, goat’s or sheep’s milk, with pasteurised, UHT, lactose free and reduced-lactose varieties being eligible. Flavoured milk, providing it is low in added sugars, as well as  regular and low-fat plain yogurts are also part of the scheme.

Any Ofsted-registered pre-school, nursery, primary or secondary school (including those with children up to the age of 18) can apply for subsidised milk. Nurseries and pre-schools aren’t eligible though if they are already receiving free school milk under the Day Care Foods Scheme. Schools for children aged 4 to 18 with special educational needs, including those with learning or physical disabilities, are also eligible for the scheme.

Schools can have up to 250ml milk at a subsidised cost for each student. Milk from the subsidised scheme must be served as a mid-morning or afternoon drink, a drink with a meal, or as part of a meal where it’s still recognisable as milk, such as with cereal – it can’t be used as an ingredient in a dish such as custard or cheese sauce. Schools must also offer drinking milk before they can supply other eligible milk products or yogurts.

Any schools that provide subsidised dairy products must display a poster at the main school entrance advertising that they participate in the scheme.

If your child attends a primary or secondary school, it’s worth checking whether the school takes advantage of the School Milk Subsidy Scheme, and if not requesting the school investigates it.