Parents and teachers at a Sheffield primary school have welcomed the beginning of a scheme offering government-funded breakfast clubs.

High Green Primary School is one of 750 schools in England taking part in a pilot allowing parents to access half an hour of free childcare each morning.

The pilot will run until July, after which the programme is expected to be rolled out nationally.

Karen Brennan, who previously paid for her daughter to attend the breakfast club two days each week, said: “We couldn’t afford for her to come every day before, but now she can.

“It means we are a lot freer as a family and she really enjoys it.”

The school said it previously could not make its breakfast club free for all pupils due to staffing and food costs.

Dan Emery, whose daughter attends the sessions, said: “We have a little one too, so having the club will make life a lot easier when her mum goes back to work.

“I love having her at home, but it is helpful from a work perspective to be able to drop her off earlier – it’s good for her development too and to give her time with her friends.”

Pupils at the school, on Wortley Road, High Green, are provided with toast, cereal, yogurt or fruit.

They can also make use of craft tables, jigsaws, books and play table football.

Dawn Aldridge, the school’s business manager, said: “The fact we have had children come to school hungry is a horrendous fact, it’s shocking.

“Now, everybody’s got a full tummy.”

She continued: “They get to play with their friends and have a nice steady start to the morning – they are loving it.”

Ms Aldridge said she expected to see a reduction in pupil absences as the club ensured children are in school on time.

“They are learning about healthy eating and sticking to schedules – it’s all good, and it’s about that early intervention,” she added.