How much is school milk in the UK? Pricing and eligibility explained

Every child under five in the UK is entitled to a free 189ml portion of milk each day under the government-funded Nursery Milk Scheme. For older children, the cost of school milk in the UK varies, with subsidies making it an affordable option for many families.

Quick Summary

This guide breaks down the varying costs and eligibility criteria for school milk across the UK, covering the government's free scheme for under-fives and the subsidised options for older children. It also explains how to register through providers like Cool Milk and outlines nutritional benefits.

Key Points

• Free for Under-Fives: All children under five in registered daycare or school settings receive one free portion of milk daily via the Nursery Milk Scheme.

• Subsidised for Over-Fives: For children aged five and older, milk is available at a subsidised cost, often ranging from £15 to £20 per term, though the exact price can vary by provider and location.

• Free for Low-Income Families: Children over five who are eligible for benefits-based free school meals also receive free milk.

• Registration Required: Even for free milk, parents must register their child with a milk provider, typically Cool Milk, to ensure daily delivery.

• Seamless Transition: The transition from free to subsidised milk requires parents to set up a payment plan with the milk provider around the child's fifth birthday.

• Nutritional Benefits: School milk provides a nutritional boost, offering calcium and protein that helps keep children focused and energised during the school day.

• Check with Your School: While a national framework exists, specific costs and procedures for milk provision can differ, so it's always best to confirm details with your child's school.

Understanding the UK's School Milk Schemes

School milk in the UK is managed through a government-backed system that provides free milk for younger children and a subsidised option for those over five. This system ensures that children receive essential nutrients like calcium and protein, which are vital for growth and development. The cost structure is not uniform for all pupils, depending on age and family circumstances. Typically, school milk is administered through a dedicated provider, with Cool Milk being one of the most prominent, handling registration and payments on behalf of schools.

The Nursery Milk Scheme for Under-Fives

For children in early years settings and schools, the Nursery Milk Scheme guarantees a free third-of-a-pint (189ml) portion of milk every day until they turn five. This is a completely free, government-funded provision aimed at boosting nutrition during a critical developmental phase. Parents often need to register their child with a provider like Cool Milk to receive this benefit, even though it is free. The scheme automatically ends the week of the child's fifth birthday, at which point a payment plan must be set up if the parent wishes to continue receiving milk.

Subsidised Milk for Children Over Five

Once a child reaches the age of five, they are no longer eligible for the free Nursery Milk Scheme. However, they can still receive milk at a heavily subsidised rate, thanks to funding from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA). This brings the cost down significantly, making it much more affordable than purchasing milk independently. The specific cost per term varies slightly depending on the school's milk provider and location. For example, some schools cite a termly cost of around £15-£20, while others may list a daily rate, such as 22p or 25p per carton. This daily rate usually works out to a similar amount per term. Parents must register and pay their provider directly to continue receiving subsidised milk after their child's fifth birthday.

Free Milk for Older Pupils on Benefits-Based Free School Meals

Beyond the age of five, certain pupils can still receive free milk. This applies to children who are eligible for statutory, benefits-based free school meals. It's important to differentiate this from the Universal Infant Free School Meals (UIFSM) scheme, which provides free meals to all pupils in Reception, Year 1, and Year 2, but does not automatically cover milk for those over five. For a child to receive free milk after their fifth birthday, their parents must be receiving qualifying benefits. Schools typically handle this registration on the parents' behalf, but it's always best to check with the school office to confirm eligibility.

How to Register and Pay for School Milk

For many schools across the UK, the process for managing school milk is streamlined through dedicated third-party suppliers like Cool Milk. The registration and payment process is typically as follows:

• For Under-Fives: Parents can register their child on the provider's website. Although the milk is free, registration is necessary to ensure the child is included in the school's order. The free provision will continue until the child's fifth birthday, and parents will be notified to set up a payment plan if they wish to continue.
• For Over-Fives: Parents register on the provider's website and set up a payment plan. Payments can often be made in termly instalments, and options include online card payments, PayPoint, or cheque.
• For Free School Meal Recipients: If a child is over five and entitled to statutory free school meals, parents should contact their school office. The school will usually arrange for the free milk to be provided, often through the same third-party supplier, without the need for parental payment.

Comparison of School Milk Costs and Eligibility

Age Group	Eligibility	Cost	Registration Method	Payment Method
Under 5s	All children in eligible settings	Free	Register with milk provider (e.g., Cool Milk)	N/A (government funded)
5+ years	All children in primary education	Subsidised (e.g., £15-£20/term)	Register with milk provider	Direct to provider (online, PayPoint, etc.)
5+ years (FSM)	Children receiving benefits-based free school meals	Free	Contact school office for registration	N/A (funded by school/local authority)

Conclusion

The cost of school milk in the UK depends primarily on a child's age and eligibility for free school meals. Children under five receive it for free under the Nursery Milk Scheme, while children aged five and over can get it at a subsidised rate through providers like Cool Milk. Furthermore, milk remains free for older children from low-income families who qualify for benefits-based free school meals. The entire system is designed to provide nutritional support to children throughout their primary education, ensuring access to a healthy, energy-boosting mid-morning drink. Navigating the process is straightforward with the right information, ensuring no child misses out.

Cool Milk: For more information or to register your child

Key considerations for school milk

Understanding Different Schemes: The Nursery Milk Scheme for under-fives is distinct from the subsidised scheme for over-fives.

Registering for Free Milk: Even for children under five, parents must register with the milk provider to ensure they receive their free daily milk.

Qualifying for Continued Free Milk: After age five, free milk is only available if the child qualifies for benefits-based free school meals.

Payment Flexibility: Providers like Cool Milk offer various payment options for subsidised milk, including termly instalments.

Nutritional Benefits: Milk offers essential nutrients like calcium and protein, helping children concentrate between breakfast and lunch.

Dairy-Free Alternatives: The Nursery Milk Scheme typically does not cover free dairy alternatives for allergies, but schools may offer options.

School-Specific Information: Costs and procedures can vary slightly between local authorities and schools, so it's best to check with the school office for clarification.

Important Transition: The transition from free to subsidised milk happens automatically on the child's fifth birthday, requiring parent action to continue the service.

FAQs

Question: How is free school milk in the UK funded? Answer: For children under five, free milk is funded by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) via the Nursery Milk Scheme. For children over five who are eligible for benefits-based free school meals, the cost is covered by the school or local authority.

Question: Do I need to register for free milk if my child is under five? Answer: Yes, even though the milk is free, parents must still register their child with the school's milk provider (such as Cool Milk) to ensure they receive a daily portion.

Question: What happens to school milk when my child turns five? Answer: The free milk provision ends the week of their fifth birthday. To continue receiving milk, parents must register and pay for the subsidised service directly with the milk provider.

Question: Can my child get free milk after they are five years old? Answer: Yes, but only if they are eligible for statutory, benefits-based free school meals. In this case, parents should contact the school office to confirm eligibility and arrange for continued free milk.

Question: How much does subsidised milk cost for over-fives? Answer: The price can vary by school and provider, but it is typically around £15 to £20 per term. Some providers may also advertise a daily cost, such as 22p or 25p per carton.

Question: Is there a specific type of milk provided in schools? Answer: Yes, schools typically provide a 189ml (third of a pint) carton of semi-skimmed milk for older pupils. Whole milk can be provided for younger pupils up until the end of the school year in which they turn five.

Question: What is the process for registering for subsidised milk? Answer: For subsidised milk, parents must register their child and create an account with the school's chosen milk provider, such as Cool Milk. Payment can then be made directly to the provider online, over the phone, or via PayPoint.

Question: Is the school milk scheme mandatory? Answer: No, the scheme is not mandatory. Parents can choose whether or not to register their child for milk. However, it is an opt-out system for under-fives in some schools, so parents need to notify the school if they do not want their child to receive it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who provides school milk in the UK?

While some local authorities handle it, a major supplier is Cool Milk, which works with many schools and nurseries to deliver fresh milk to children. Parents and schools register and manage their accounts through their system.

What is the Nursery Milk Scheme?

This is a UK government-funded scheme providing a daily 189ml portion of free milk to all children under five in registered daycare or school settings. It is a statutory obligation for the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care.

Does Universal Infant Free School Meals (UIFSM) include free milk?

No, UIFSM provides free meals for all infants (Reception to Year 2) but does not automatically entitle them to free milk after their fifth birthday. The eligibility for free milk after age five is tied to benefits-based free school meals.

What kind of milk is provided in the scheme?

For younger children, whole milk can be provided. For children after the school year they turn five, the milk must be lower-fat or lactose-reduced, with semi-skimmed being the common option.

Can I opt-out of the school milk scheme?

Yes, parents can choose to opt-out. If your child is under five and automatically registered, you can contact the school office to request they be removed from the scheme.

Are there dairy-free alternatives available?

The official Nursery Milk Scheme does not currently offer free dairy-free alternatives. However, some schools or providers may offer alternatives for children with allergies or intolerances, often at an additional cost. Parents should contact their school directly.

How do I pay for subsidised milk for my child over five?

Payments are typically made directly to the milk provider, such as Cool Milk. This can usually be done online via credit/debit card, at local PayPoint outlets, or by cheque, with options for termly instalments.