I got DD 2 lunch bags and a bunch of containers that fit inside nicely. I don't like the lunch boxes because not all poppers or fruit will fit in them.
Make sure the lid and base of all the containers is labeled too - otherwise you'll only get the bit back with her name on it lol
It seems to stay pretty cool with a yogurt and popper inside - DDs school make them have any cold things like yogurt or cheese at the first break. I have always let DD decide what she wants each break - instead of dividing it up for her.
Olive, DD is in grade 4 this year and she goes to school in a neighboring suburb to you. The whole school eats lunch inside then goes out to play after that. The only problem with it if you have a slow eater (like my DD) they don't get time to finish eating. For whatever reason (whether it's her own thinking or they're not encouraged) she won't finish it outside.
Anyway, my main advice to you is LABEL EVERYTHING!!!!!
Eta: just asked her and it's her choice not to finish outside because (1) she has seen other kids get knocked and have their sandwich knocked from their hand and she doesn't want it to happen to her and (2) I still use plastic wrap on her sandwich and she isn't allowed to take plastic wrap outside. I told her i wont wrap it this year so maybe that might make a difference lol
Last edited by nothing2lose; January 5th, 2012 at 09:01 AM.
I second the tupperware 'sandwich keeper plus'. They cost $30 odd bucks but they last forever. I tried lots of cheaper ones and they all broke within a few months. My DS dropped his tupperware one on the decking at school and cracked the lid and it was replaced for free even though I admitted it was all his fault. They seal airtight and you can even pour yoghurt into one of the divided sections and it won't leak. Love the tupperware!
Oh, I pack recess and lunch in the same container and the kids can choose what they eat and when, although I do tell them that their sandwich is for lunch time. DS was prep last year (DD was Grade 3) and they seem to manage this arrangement fine. My kids eat recess in the playground, lunch on the decking as a class or inside in inclement weather, then they go and play. They get 20 minutes to eat, supervised by the teacher, but they can continue to eat after that if they're not finished. They just can't play before the 20 minutes is up. The teachers are really good at making sure the kids (especially the younger ones) are eating enough of what mum has packed and making sure the sandwich/wrap goes in before any bikkies or treats. We also do rubbish free lunches at our school and I love it. Means you don't have to buy all those little packets of stuff, cheaper to buy the big packets and then portion them out into the lunchbox.
I've always used those Decore or Smash insulated lunch boxes and used the small willow brand rectangle ice bricks in them. If you don't plan on using ice bricks, it can really limit what you pack them for lunch as you need to keep certain things reasonably chilled. I like those lunch boxes because they have two compartments - big one for lunch and a smaller one for recess. At our school though, they take their recess out to eat in the COLA and they aren't allowed out to play until they have finished - no food in the playground rule to minimise rubbish being left etc. Same goes for lunch only they spend the first 10 minutes eating in their class before heading out and again they can't play till they are finished. For snacks, I use the cheaper small containers because they have lost a few tupperware ones and I didn't want to lose anymore!
I have trouble with nude food as we definitely need to use ice packs here in Brissy. I can manage it with a sandwich and yoghurt with a piece of fruit but I haven't figured out how to fit an ice pack with a nude roll - so rolls are always wrapped. For sandwiches a Tupperware sandwich keeper in a soft lunch box fits well with yoghurt and the fruit separate - they eat that first anyway at fruit break which is before morning tea. If you don't need an ice pack in Melbourne it would probably be easier although in Feb you might need one.
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and (2) I still use plastic wrap on her sandwich and she isn't allowed to take plastic wrap outside. I told her i wont wrap it this year so maybe that might make a difference 
lol
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