Table 2.

Summary of themes outlining the advantages and disadvantages of breakfast clubs.

Themes	Main points made by parents	Main points made by staff	Main points made by children
Breakfast meal	Good variety of healthy foods Children more willing to have breakfast Children can try new foods without parents having to buy and risk wasting larger quantities Some concerns regarding sugar added to cereals Greater variety of cereals wanted	Breakfast provided for those who would otherwise skip Cost of attendance excluded some children Children more willing to eat with peers Greater variety at breakfast club than at home Generally healthy but some unhealthy items served Some disagreement over the necessity to adhere to school food standards	Good variety of foods available Breakfast provided for those who would otherwise skip Children can try new foods that they would not have at home
Social opportunities	Time for informal interaction and relationship developmentx Access to a broader peer group Reduces social limitations	Time for informal interaction and relationship development Access to broader peer group Reduces social limitations	Time for informal interaction and relationship development Access to broader peer group
Means of support	Reliable form of childcare especially useful for parents who work/study and those without extended familial support Peace of mind that children are safe before school	Reliable form of childcare especially useful for parents who work/study and those without extended familial support Peace of mind that children are safe before school Accessible means of communication between parents, children, and school Some barriers to fully inclusive provision
Positive start	Calmer household in the mornings Enjoyable start to the day for children Helps punctuality Children more prepared for school	Calmer, more enjoyable start to the day for children Helps attendance and punctuality Concerns surrounding uncertain financial support for intervention Children more prepared for school Extended school day for children	Enjoyable start to the day Better than alternative optionsb Helps punctuality Children more prepared for the school day Some reported tiredness but not attributable to breakfast club per se
School practicalities		Integral part of school Staffing needs consideration Designated breakfast club space would be advantageous	Array of enjoyable activities for children Updates needed to equipment Children would like more peers to attend