Scottish Milk and Healthy Snack Scheme

From 1 August 2021, the Scottish Milk and Healthy Snack Scheme (SMHSS) agreed to fund a daily portion of plain fresh cow’s milk (or specified alternative) and a healthy snack (fruit or vegetables) for pre-school children (from birth to not yet attending primary school) spending two hours or more in the care of a regulated day care provider and/or childminders. Infant formula will be funded for children up to 12 months.

The scheme aims to ensure that as many pre-school children in day care as possible receive a daily serving of milk and a healthy snack to support the development of healthy eating habits for later life.

The flat rate for the Scottish Milk and Healthy Snack Scheme remains at 58.2p per serving for 2026.

Eligibility for care providers

The scheme is available to all regulated settings offering pre-school day care, regardless of whether they are in receipt of early learning and childcare (ELC) funding. Day care providers must be registered with the Care Inspectorate for the scheme and provide day care to pre-school children for two hours or more per day.

Eligibility for children

All pre-school children (usually aged five and under) who spend two hours or more in a day care setting which is registered with the Care Inspectorate are eligible to receive the benefit once per day.

You must register for the scheme each year to receive this funding.

Monitoring and reporting

You must keep attendance records and proof of purchases as the scheme is subject to audit. Audits will be carried out periodically throughout the scheme year - you will be required to provide backup to ensure your payment is in line with your estimated number of portions, and that what is being supplied meets the scheme requirements.

Payments

New scheme year applications will open on 8 June 2026.

Applications received by 15 July will receive the first payment around 1 August for the period 1 August to 31 March.

Applications received after 15 July will receive the first payment around four weeks from the date of the application being received.

Applicants will receive the second payment around 29 April for the period 1 April to 31 July.

Applications received after 1 August will not be backdated and the payment will be calculated from the date the application is received.

More information

Further details about the scheme can be found on the Scottish Government website.

You can also access full statutory guidance for local authorities and participating (registered day care settings) and further guidance around food and drink provision.