Richmond / SW London Preps

[BenignQ]

Hi all!

Our family is relocating to Richmond and child is starting at a prep there in September. If we were already in the area we would have passed during collection time to get some detail on this but in the absence of that possibility I wanted to check with the hive mind...

In Reception, do children use a separate lunch bag or back pack for lunch or is this put into the book bag? Is a pencil case needed? Is there a go to lunchbox and/or water bottle for pupils in the area (definitely local trends where we are now)?

Thanks in advance!

Pft you're way over thinking. Go to lunch box and water bottles 🤦🏼‍♀️

Definitely overthinking it all!
No need for a pencil case. no need for specific lunchbox or water bottle. ( maybe there will be hot lunches?)
They will probably give you info on what to bring before you start.

Have you checked with the school that packed lunch is even allowed? It’s not at a lot of preps. If it is then DC will probably be in minority having it so I doubt there’s a trend to follow although my DC do like smiggle. You definitely want a separate lunchbox to bookbag. Water bottles again will depend on the school. They provide in the early years classes at ours whilst the older ones bring them. DD has a Yeti. Ion8 are also popular. Keeping drinks cold, easy for DC to open and won’t leak in their bag are what you need to look for! Pencils cases not until Y3 here but again ask the school.

I think all school have different rules. Better asking your school. Some school isn’t allowed backpack, only can use book bags. Most of school provide lunch, so only need to prepare snacks.