Free school meals in nurseries: what's changed

From September 2026, free school meals have been extended to more nursery children. Here is what that means, who it covers, and why the quality of the lunch matters as much as who pays for it.

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The change

What's new from September 2026

Wider eligibility

Free school meals now extend to children in households receiving Universal Credit, including eligible nursery-age children.

School-based nurseries

The funding goes to nurseries in schools and to maintained nursery schools. Children generally need to attend before and after lunch.

Paid through councils

The Department for Education pays a grant to local authorities, who must pass it on in full to eligible settings.

Is your setting covered? The published guidance describes school-based nurseries and maintained nursery schools. It does not say that private, voluntary or independent nurseries are covered, so check with your local authority's early years team.

How it works

From the family to the plate

Families qualify. The household receives Universal Credit, and the family applies, usually through the school or council.
The setting provides lunch. Eligible children who attend before and after lunch receive a meal at no charge to the family.
Councils pass funding on. Local authorities receive an expansion grant and pass it to eligible settings. The 2026-27 average is about £281 a year per full-time-equivalent child, or £75 for part-time (Early Education).
Timing. Eligibility began in September 2026. Council allocations are published in October and funding is paid to councils in November.

The grant is a flat amount per child, not the cost of the meals, and sector bodies are still asking whether it is enough.

Our view

Funding a lunch is half the story

For many children, the hot lunch at nursery is one of the most balanced meals of their day. That only holds if the meal is a good one.

Cooked from scratch. Nearly everything is made in our own kitchen. Only bread and wraps and a few frozen basics are bought in.
Right for every child. Allergies and dietary needs get a like-for-like meal that looks like everyone else's, labelled in line with Natasha's Law.
Warm at lunchtime. Deliveries are planned around each setting's own lunchtime.

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Sources

Where this comes from

General information only, based on the sources above at October 2026. Check with your local authority for how it applies to your setting.

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