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Nursery Milk Scheme

In Wales (and England) the Nursery Milk 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. Any of the following childcare providers can register for the scheme:

  • Registered childminders
  • Registered day care providers
  • Local authority day care
  • Schools (for children under 5)

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 Nursery Milk Scheme and offer free milk to children in their care. If they’re not registered with the scheme, they can find out more information, including how to claim for free milk.

Primary and Secondary Milk Scheme

Primary schools can sign up to a voluntary scheme that allows them to buy milk at a reduced price for children. This discount is possible because part of the cost is subsidised by the UK 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, is also part of the scheme.

Any Ofsted-registered pre-school, nursery or primary school can apply for subsidised milk. Nurseries and pre-schools aren’t eligible though if they are already receiving free school milk under the Nursery Milk Scheme. Schools for children aged 3 to 11 with special educational needs, including those with learning or physical disabilities, are also eligible for the scheme.

Students in Key Stage 1 (those aged 5 to 7 years) are also eligible for free milk funded by the Welsh Government.

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.

INFORMATION BY UK REGION

ENGLAND

ENGLAND

NORTHERN <br>IRELAND

NORTHERN
IRELAND

SCOTLAND

SCOTLAND

WALES

WALES

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SCHOOL MILK

SCHOOL MILK

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PUBLICATIONS

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