A parent has spoken of her frustration after the school her child attends has introduced breakfast club fees, which previously was free. 

Laura Hindle from Smithills says that she received a letter just over a week ago outlining some changes following an increased demand at Tonge Moor Primary Academy's breakfast and after school club.

She says that although herself and her husband are both working, the prices are unaffordable and she does not know what they will do.

Her daughter Amelia,10, goes to the breakfast club, but Laura says she only stays there from 8.20am/8.30am until 9am, but she will have to pay for the full hour, which is £4.

She said: “It’s unaffordable.

“I know it can’t go on as free, but to jump to £4 a day seems extortionate.

The Bolton News: SPECIAL MEASURES: Tonge Moor Primary School

“I drop her off at school and she goes there for half an hour, but I have to pay for the full hour.

“I don’t mind paying, but I don’t think the pricing is good.”

She says that she has noticed that other local schools are cheaper and charge per half an hour.  

Laura says that another parent has also said that she was "really upset" by the prices and has asked her work to change her hours.

She said: “I don’t know what I am going to do and I have a lot of anxiety.

“They should offer affordable childcare and we should be able to afford it if we have kids.

“I will probably have to pay it, but other things will have to change.

“With the cost-of-living crisis everything is going up.”

She says that Amelia will also have to go the afterschool club in September, and this will cost £7 per day from 3.15-6pm, although her daughter will only be there from 3.15-4pm.

The changes are expected to be in place from June 12.

Headteacher at the school Nicola Whittaker says that some of the changes have been implemented to “support many more families who have been on a long waiting list”.

Mrs Whittaker says that the “most vulnerable children” will still be provided for, with a free breakfast club provision.

Read the full statement below: 

“We have all worked diligently to improve our school, recently achieving a good Ofsted judgement.

“Our wrap around care provision could only cater for a small number of children and we wanted to offer this service to support many more families who have been on a long waiting list.  

“We have worked closely with St Bede Childcare, a registered childcare charity, that also provides wrap around at one of our other schools and has had a working relationship with us for over 20 years.

“We know they ensure the highest quality provision that our children deserve. 

“To provide the wrap around care for all the parents that need it has led to recruiting additional childcare experts. 

“Our most vulnerable children are still provided a free breakfast club which is paid for using pupil premium funding. 

“Other parents are asked to provide a reasonable fee to cover the cost of food and staffing. 

“We have worked with the parents and kept communications open with them throughout the process.”

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