Free school meals for pre-school nursery children

child with food

Free school meals for pre-school nursery children

Search for your nursery school class and find out if you are entitled to get free meals.

Find out if you can get free school meals

If your child is in Reception class or above please go to Applying for Free School Meals

Search for the Nursery school class you wish your child to attend, and if you meet the criteria below, they may be entitled to a Free School Meal.  If your child’s school nursery is not on this list, your child will not be able to access a Free School Meal. 

Search school nursery classes that offer free school meals

The Criteria:

  • your child must be a registered pupil at the school and accessing 3 & 4 year old Nursery Education Funding.
  • they must attend funded hours before and after lunch on the same day to receive a meal on that day.
  • you and your partner (if applicable) must meet the economic criteria:
  • Universal Credit provided they have an annual net earned income not exceeding £7,400 (616.67 per month)
  • Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance
  • Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
  • support under Part 6 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
  • the guarantee element of Pension Credit
  • Child Tax Credit, provided they are not also entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual gross income of no more than £16,190, as assessed by HMRC
  • Working Tax Credit run-on-paid for 4 weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax

Apply for Nursery Free School Meals

This is the same system you apply for school places and school age Free School Meals. Please use the account you've set up to apply for your older children, or create a new account if you need to apply for the first time. 

Apply for Nursery Free School Meals

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