Free meals for children at nursery or in childcare
What meals you can get for your child at nursery, who can get them and how you get them.
Free meals
You get free meals for your child at nursery.
They may also get a daily portion of milk and a healthy snack if they attend nursery or childcare for more than 2 hours a day.
Who can get free meals
Children who are eligible for funded early learning and childcare can get a free meal on the days they go to a public funded nursery. This can be either breakfast, lunch or dinner.
Your child cannot get free meals if they go to a private nursery.
How to apply
You do not need to apply. All children who get funded early learning and childcare will get a meal automatically.
Speak to your nursery about the specific meals, snacks or milk they provide.
Related services
- Where to get benefits and money advice
- Scottish Child Payment, a four-weekly payment to help with costs for children under 16
- School Age Payment, a one off payment for when children normally start school.
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Free school meals and holiday meal payments for primary pupils
