Cashless payments for school meals now available in Swansea

To coincide with the new academic year, online payments for meals are being rolled out in primary schools across Swansea – using a new online system by sQuid.

The technology, which is being funded by Swansea Council, lets parents or guardians pay electronically for school meals and other school items. However, previous payment methods are still available.

According to the council, this new system will provide better security processes and eliminate problems associated with the use of cash such as loss, theft or bullying.

Swansea Council has previously launched cashless catering and sQuid online payments at many comprehensive schools in Swansea – proving popular with parents and pupils.

Each school will approach parents and let them know how to register with sQuid, which will be available in the new term. The schools will also ask parents and carers to ensure they pay for school meals in advance to avoid building-up debts.

The system will automatically alert parents if their account is running low of funds, and pupilsentitled to free school meals will continue to receive the. However, parents are still encouraged to create a sQuid account which will allow them to check what their child has eaten for lunch.

Cllr Jennifer Raynor, cabinet member for children, education and lifelong Learning, said: “This system makes it easier and more secure than ever for pupils in our schools who choose our popular school meals menu and improves the convenience and speed of the service.

“This term we will be asking parents and guardians to ensure that they provide payment in advance, except those entitled to free school meals. This will ensure that they do not fall into debt and that each school can spend all its money on educating our children.

“Free school meals are a statutory right and it is important that where people think they may qualify they register.”

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