Scottish Milk and Healthy Snack Scheme
In Scotland, the Milk and Healthy Snack Scheme provides 189ml (1/3 pint) of milk each day, free of charge, to all children who attend registered childcare settings such as pre-school day care, nursery and childminders for at least 2 hours a day.
The scheme provides plain fresh cow’s milk – whole for children over 1 year or to include semi-skimmed for children over 2 years. Babies under 12 months may receive first infant formula made up to 189ml (1/3 pint).
For children who can’t consume cow’s milk for medical, ethical or religious reasons, the scheme allows goat’s milk or sheep’s milk. If these can’t be consumed for medical, ethical or religious reasons, unsweetened calcium-enriched non-dairy alternatives can be provided. Soya drinks should be the first option for children who can’t drink any of the milks offered by the scheme , with other plant-based options offered only where a child can’t consume soya drinks. Rice drinks are not recommended for under 5s due to concerns about the level of arsenic it may contain.
The Scottish Milk and Healthy Snack Scheme also provides a portion of fresh fruit or vegetables for children over 6 months.
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.
