The survey revealed that 8 in 10 Brits support the extension, but under current Government policy, children lose access to free school milk on their fifth birthday.
Playing a key role in early development, milk provides key nutrients that support bone growth, dental health and overall physical development, and nutrition at this early stage is linked to improved concentration, cognitive development and classroom engagement.
School milk is only available through a subsidised scheme after children turn five, and parents are required to cover the remaining cost.
At present, only 13.5% of parents choose to pay for milk - this means more than 480,000 children stop receiving school milk once their entitlement ends, and disadvantaged pupils are the least likely to continue, which could widen inequalities at a what is a critical stage of development.
With price hikes continuing, 82% agreed that access to free school milk could also help support families facing cost-of-living pressures.
Results of the poll also found:
- 79% agree that school milk should be sourced from local farms or dairies
- 86% of the public believe good nutrition during the first year of primary school is important for learning and development
- 83% agree access to healthy food or drink at school should not depend on the month a child was born
To prevent suggested dietary and educational development unfairness, through its ‘Fair milk for a fair start' campaign, Cool Milk is calling on the Government to introduce a universal cut-off date so that all children can receive free school milk until the end of Reception. The proposed change would cost just £23.75 per pupil.
Nick Harrison, CEO at The Sutton Trust, said: "Extending access to free school milk for the whole of the Reception year will stop children effectively being penalised for turning five during the school year. This can help improve nutrition and reduce hunger in schools. Teachers increasingly tell us they see students coming into school hungry due to the high cost of living, and food insecurity has a knock-on effect for children's ability to learn. This simple measure will also help simplify admin for school staff."
For many pupils across the country, school is where they receive the most reliable access to nutritious food and drink, said Wayne Norrie, CEO of Greenwood Academies Trust, and that 'milk supports children's concentration, growth and overall wellbeing, and shared milk breaks help build routine, belonging and positive relationships in the classroom.'
Mike Ferrand, Managing Director at Cool Milk, said children's access to healthy nutrition should not depend on the month they were born.
He said: "Ending free milk on a child's fifth birthday creates an unnecessary cliff-edge in the middle of their first year at school. This is a simple, low-cost and evidence-based change that would support families, reduce burdens on schools and help give every child the fair start they deserve."
