Free Milk Scheme at Local Playgroup Celebrated by Welsh AM
News Release
13th March 2013
Assembly Member for Wrexham Lesley Griffiths has been serving milk to children at the Hafod y Wern Playgroup in Wrexham to celebrate the success of the free nursery milk scheme.
In Wales, children in day care or primary education under the age of seven are entitled to a free 189ml serving of milk which is funded by the Welsh Government. Pupils aged seven to 11 are entitled to subsidised milk which is funded by the European Union.
The scheme was first introduced in the 1940s and AM Griffiths visited the playgroup on Friday (8th March) to help highlight the importance of the scheme to children’s health and education.
“It was wonderful to see the children at Hafod y Wern Playgroup benefiting from the free milk scheme”, said Ms Griffiths. “There are numerous health and nutritional advantages of drinking milk and I hope other educational facilities can make the most of the subsidy so more of our children can feel the benefit.”
Cool Milk operates and administers school milk schemes in partnership with local authority councils, schools, pre-schools, nurseries and private, voluntary and independent settings.
They source the milk from local dairies to ensure it is delivered fresh and chilled to the classroom. The milk is then distributed by students and consumed as a group which aids children’s social development, including responsibility, independence and manners.
Cool Milk’s Managing Director John Sedgwick said: “We’re delighted Lesley has shown her support for the scheme by visiting Hafod y Wern Playgroup and acting as milk monitor for the day.
“School milk is excellent as a mid-morning drink as it provides a nutritional boost and keeps children hydrated between breakfast and lunch helping them to concentrate and learn.
“Milk contains protein, essential for growth, carbohydrate, vitamins A, B and D, and even a small amount of vitamin C. It is also a fantastic source of calcium and phosphorus, which are both essential for the healthy growth and maintenance of bones and teeth.
“If calcium intake is insufficient when bones are growing and developing, they may never reach full strength, and this can increase the risk of osteoporosis in later life.”
Pat Kearsley from the Caia Park & Hightown Early Years Forum in Wrexham, added: “Milk time provides an opportunity for all the children to sit down together socially and the milk combined with healthy snacks makes a valuable contribution to the children’s daily nutritional requirements.”
ENDS
Notes to Editors
- Cool Milk is the UK’s leading school milk supplier, working in partnership with local authorities and early years groups to supply free and subsidised school milk to children in pre-schools, nurseries, and primary schools across the UK.
- Its aim is to provide every child in early years and primary education with the opportunity to drink fresh milk every day.
- The Cool Milk scheme is administration friendly and cost-free, and is designed to make providing school milk quick and simple for schools and nurseries.
- For more information visit www.coolmilk.com
- For the top ten reasons to drink school milk go to www.coolmilk.com/whyschoolmilk
Kate Strawson
Shooting Star PR
01522 528540
kate@shootingstar-pr.co.uk
www.shootingstar-pr.co.uk
t: @KateStrawson
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