How far do you walk to school?

[Beba11]

Just interested to know what's the furthest you walk to school? Wondering whether 15 minutes is a lot for four year old? Or am I worrying too much?

[heavandhell]

I don't think that's to far for a 4 year old. If I walk to school I normally drive it's about a 20-25 minute walk with a 7 year old and 2.5 year old, but I put my youngest in a buggy lol.

[Beba11]

Thanks, I plan on walking everyday. Driving is not an option for me so just wondering if it is in reality if it's quite tiring

[Yura]

That's fine. school is 5 min, but our childminder is closer to 20 and its fine

[hapagirl]

15 minutes is fine. My daughter’s nursery was about 20 minutes walk away and we walked every day. Gives plenty of opportunity for quality time together.

[clematisflower]

15-20 minutes, we often use scooter or balance bike to make it more interesting, and stop at the park or shop on the way home. I wouldn't worry, just increase the time they can walk for (without complaining!) over the summer.

[onemouseplace]

My 3 year old does the 15 minute walk to and from preschool daily with no problems - it's also a lot quicker when she scoots!

[ItchySeveredFoot]

My dd starts in September and we'll be walking. Just checked and it's 0.7 miles away. Google reckons 13 minutes so clearly it's never met a 4 year old! I think it'll take us at least 15 minutes.

[slightlyglittermaned]

You might find that it takes longer the first half term when 4 yr old is extra tired with starting school/everything being new - it did for us, but it got better after that.

[EnolaAlone]

Ours is a mile and takes 20 minutes. It's fine and they get used to it pretty quickly.

[xyzandabc]

Ours is 1.1 miles. Would be a good 20/25 mins walk so we cycle. Takes about 5-10 mins depending how fast we pedal!

We only moved here when youngest had just started year 1 though but he would have been fine cycling in reception. Though I appreciate not all kids would be. We also have an almost traffic free route from our house to school which helps too.

[RedSkyLastNight]

I find it worrying that you are even worrying that a 4 year old will find 15 minutes too far. If you don't normally walk anywhere maybe you should start over the summer?

Round here there are separate infants and junior schools a mile apart. If you live the far side of the infants school that means you can be doing a 2 mile+ round trip with your infants age DC. Lots and lots of families do it, day in day out.

[IsBrexitOverYet]

I used to walk about 45 minutes I think? (That’s how long it took me when I worked there for a fortnight last year anyway)
I don’t think there were ever any problems my mum used a buggy or sling lots for d sis but we barely drove

[SholaHammer]

20 minutes each way with a 4 & 6 yr old

[SholaHammer]

However I always allow half an hour as they walk much slower than me

[sickmumma]

It takes us about 15 minutes, my youngest 4 scoots as she's a very slow walker (we drive most places 😳) and we get there super quick

[CherryPavlova]

Mine did two miles each way walking. Was about a twenty minute trot or an hours slow potter home.
At five I expected them to walk up mountains. At four they could do six or seven miles without too much trouble.
A bit worrying if you think 15 minutes is too far.

[StewPots]

15 mins there and back, including up steep hills. DS has managed it fine since 3, it's me who has the problem

[donkeysandzebras]

Is it 15min at 4yo pace or at brisk adult pace? I can get to school in 10 mins, it takes the DC about 15 now but I used to allow 20 in reception.
I'd take a snack for the journey home & be prepared for some whinging. DC1 once flung herself down on someone's front lawn & announced she was going to live in that house from now on!

[StewPots]

Sorry meant 15 mins there then another 15 back. My DD used to go to a school 45 mins away we had to walk to but that was mostly flat so not too bad.

[LexieLulu]

My DS didn't get our nearest school, so until we move, it will be a 45min walk.

[5000KallaxHoles]

Used to live 10 mins walk away and my reception aged child coped OK, the nursery aged sibling really struggled with it (later we found out she's very badly dyspraxic so walking just IS harder for her in general). Moved schools for various reasons and we drive it now - tend to park 5-10 mins away and walk in and they can cope OK with that (previous walk was up stupid evil hill, this is on flat).

[Beba11]

It's 15 mins at a brisk adult pace. Mine have to stop and look at almost everything too which is why I'm a bit nervous!

[Tomorrowillbeachicken]

About twenty minutes. Have done that with a three year old and he was fine.

[Mol1628]

15 minutes.
Mine have managed it from age 3 but I tend to take a balance bike or scooter otherwise it does take ages.

[mrsFruitLoops]

we walk 1.1 mile....every day. dd has done it since she was 2.5 as she refused to use the buggy and would easily do there and back twice a day.

I can do it in 20 mins on my own, it takes 30 with the dc now they're 9 and 6.