Phased Rollout of Universal Primary Free School Meals

In September 2022, the rollout of Universal Primary Free School Meals (UPFSM) across Wales began, starting with learners in Reception.  The policy is part of the Co-operation Agreement between the Welsh Government and Plaid Cymru, which will see free school meals extended to all primary school learners over the next two years.

Following the successful roll-out of UPFSM to Reception, Year 1 and eligible Nursery age pupils in Rhondda Cynon Taf the next phase is to commence from 1st April 2023, where the offer will be extended to include all Year 2 pupils and eligible Nursery pupils.

Eligible Nursery pupils are those who attend local authority* Nursery provision on a full-time basis (morning and afternoon sessions) in accordance with the Councils admissions policy: -

• All pupils aged 4 years, between 1^st September 2022 and 31^st December 2022, will be eligible for a free school meal from January 2023.

• All pupils aged 4 years, between 1^st January 2023 and 31^st March 2023, will be eligible for a free school meal from April 2023.

• All pupils aged 4 years, between 1^st April 2023 and 31^st August 2023, will be eligible for a free school meal from September 2023.

* To assist your understanding of our full-time Nursery admissions criteria, an excerpt from the Councils ‘Starting School’ booklet has been provided below; this sets out the admission arrangements for Nursery pupils.

NOTE: Some schools do offer, and directly fund, a full-time Nursery place from their own school budget; in this case, pupils are not eligible to receive a UPFSM.