Children attending funded ELC sessions are eligible for a free meal.
This might not be a hot meal, depending on the time of day and the facilities available in your chosen setting. However, you can be sure that it will be nutritious and healthy. Where possible, children will be involved in preparing food as part of their learning. You may prefer to send your child with a packed lunch. Please discuss what food your child will receive and any special dietary requirements your child may have with your chosen setting.
In addition, children attending an ELC setting for two hours or more are eligible to get free milk or a non-dairy alternative and a healthy snack.
Angus Council settings
If your child is attending for up to 6 hours (as in Option 1), they will have a healthy snack and lunch.
If your child is attending for up to 7.5 hours (as in Option 2), they will have a healthy snack and lunch.
In Option 3, children attending the 8am to 1pm session will have breakfast and a healthy snack. Children attending the 1pm to 6pm session will have lunch and a healthy snack.
Private nurseries, playgroups or childminders
Children attending a funded session usually get one free meal and a healthy snack per day. However, in some circumstances, for example taking all the funded ELC hours over two to three long days per week may allow your child to receive two free meals on some days, up to a maximum of six free meals per week.
If your child is attending a funded session at a private nursery, playgroup or childminder, you can discuss meals and healthy snack directly with them. As with Angus Council settings, the free meals and healthy snack provided will depend on the hours your child attends.
Using more than one provider
If using more than one provider works best for you and your child, we encourage all providers of your child’s ELC to work together to make sure they receive the right number of meals and healthy snack every day.
Next: Applying for ELC