20 min walk to school

[babychange12]

Is it too long? It's a walk through the common. It feels nice now but probably will be a pain in winter. I'm wondering whether to invest in a cargo bike

We have another school close to us about 5 minute walk away but I wasn't convinced when we looked round pre Covid.

[babychange12]

Sorry should have said it's for DS who will start reception next year

[AgentProvocateur]

No, it’s not too long.

[moveandmove]

20 minutes is nothing. We've done that walk everyday since ds (now 10) was in reception.

[Anotherthink]

20 minutes isn't bad really. If you didn't have the other school 5 minutes away then you probably wouldn't question it so I wouldn't let the distance be a factor in choosing schools.

[BlackPuddingEggs]

Is that adult speed or child speed? I don’t think it’s too far, but a tired 4 year old may be slower coming home. I guess it depends how much walking they do now.

[Findahouse21]

Ours is 15 minutes and definitely doesn't feel too long

[Gottheteeshirtandlostit]

Not too far at all, but you'll be doing it there and back so forty minutes twice a day in all weathers. I'd be tempted by the bike option so you can mix it up.

[Herja]

It will be absolutely fine. Get a decent coat for you both and some wellies.

Is it 20 minutes at your pace or his? How fast would he do it?

[Calphurnia]

Depends on you and your DC.
Our walk is 30 minutes, scoot is 20 and bike is about 15. My DC is 7, and chooses the mode of transport. How do you feel about wet weather gear and storing it at school? Will it be dry by hometime?

[Indoctro]

That's only 1 mile away, no that's not too far at all.

[Flynn999]

I used to walk ds to childminders and that was about 20 min adult speed and about 30 min child speed. I often used to take his balance bike so he could bike each way.

Just start now getting him used to walking that sort of distance.

[AndAllOurYesterdays]

We do that to school up hill. It's fine, but not that much fun in the pouring rain.

[FiddlefigOnTheRoof]

It’s fine. There’s a fair bit of pain, foot dragging and complaining at times (particularly if your heath, like ours, is a microclimate so freezing howling rain in winter and baking unshaded sun in summer). But by Y1 or 2 it’s great and a nice way to talk to them in the mornings.

[babychange12]

Yes it's a mile away so it's 20 mins at my pace. At toddler pace probably about ... forever 😂

I have DS2 who's a proper chunk so need to factor him in next year as well when doing the school run

I don't drive so only choice is walk or cycle

Good to hear 20 mins is not too long though! Feels a bit daunting even though we go for walks every day for much longer! I'm just worried about him walking home after school, tired, hungry, etc etc

[Sandytoes86]

I have a 20 min school walk with ds who is in reception and ds2 who is 2.5 and I push him in buggy. On the way to school ds1 rides his balance bike which he is actually a good pace on , the same as my walking speed . On the way home I use a buggy board for him if he is too tired for his bike. It’s a fine distance in my opinion not too long .

[Burplecutter]

Ours is about a 20 minute walk to school on a morning as little legs don't work quickly on hills. 10 min walk back for me. 10 min walk for me for collection time, 15 min walk back home as it's all downhill. It's not too far even tho DD claims it is.
She absolutely loves it in the rain on the way home for puddle jumping, especially when it floods. Loves the sledge in snow too so don't rule out all bad weather.

[Quisto]

20 minutes walk to Infant school since nursery when ds was 3. Never a problem and the walk home is uphill most of the way.

[thesparkthatbled]

I don't think it's too far, but I would seriously consider a cargo bike, especially with 2 DC.

We have 15 mins and getting home can sometimes be painful!

I had a bike that fitted 2 kids on when mine were younger and it was great to just be able to load them on and ride off. It doesn't sound like you're on the road even, would your eldest be riding his own bike by the time they start? Then you could just get a bike seat for the little one?

[RabbitBeaver]

I've walked that every day since nursery and my he’a now in year 5. The winter isn't great but we've got wellies and over trousers to keep ha dry.

[DustyD2]

Get a cargo bike. We have one and they are very useful! And no problems with finding a parking space like those who drive.

[SwedishK]

That's fine. It's what we had the early years when my kids were little. They would normally scoot and I'd walk.

[SwedishK]

Also, it's great in the afternoons since you get plenty of time to catch up about their day on the way home. You don't get that if you live just a few minutes from the school.

[megletthesecond]

A cargo bike sounds a bit much for a mile. A second hand double buggy might be easier, they'll want to dawdle on nice days. You won't be the only one letting a reception kid hop in a buggy.

[happylittlechick]

My 4year old does 20minutes. My two year old will be doing 40mins (there and back) twice tomorrow. It's great exercise and sets you up for the day.