Scottish Milk and Healthy Snack Scheme
Funding is available for registered childcare providers to allow them to offer a drink of milk and a healthy snack to the children they support at no cost to families. Non-dairy alternatives to milk are also covered.
All East Lothian childcare providers can receive payments from Scottish Milk and Healthy Snack Scheme for children as long as they:
- offer pre-school care to children for 2 hours or more per day
- are registered with the Care Inspectorate.
Children will only receive the benefit offered through the Scheme if they attend a registered setting for more than 2 hours on an individual day. If the child attends more than one setting - such as a nursery then a childminder - they will receive the milk and snack at one of the providers. Usually this will be at the first setting.
Money will be paid directly into childcare providers' bank accounts.
Registered childcare providers can apply for the 2025/2026 Scottish Milk and Healthy Snack Scheme now. Funding will be made in two instalments: 1 April to 30 September 2025 and 1 October to 31 March 2026.
Find out more about the Scottish Milk and Healthy Snack Scheme