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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think a 40 minute walk to school nursery is manageable?

361 replies

Heckythump1 · 19/06/2019 11:15

We are looking at pre-schools for September for an almost 4 year old. (We've just found out we have to move in a few weeks) we have a few choices but our favourite on paper is a school nursery 40 minutes walk away. Neither of us drive so we will have to walk whatever the weather, although there are buses for some of the journey.
We are visiting all options in the next week or so.
Am I being daft wanting to send them to a better place further away or should I send her to a closer one that I don't like as much?

OP posts:
IceCreamAndCandyfloss · 20/06/2019 07:30

No, far too much for a young child after a full day at nursery/school. They just want to go home quickly.

Pre school is optional though so you don't have to go.

How will you manage a fourty minute walk and get back in time for work? Even if not working now presumably you will at some point.

Original poster
Heckythump1 · 20/06/2019 07:31

I think i'm clouded as I used to work in nurseries, some very good and some down right awful.
So actually, yes, I do want the very best nursery for her. To me it's not 'just pre-school' as some people are saying. This is her early education and development. I don't think I'm wrong in wanting the best for daughter!

OP posts:
SB1189 · 20/06/2019 07:32

That sounds like a lot. I think we forget what walking was like as kids. I lived just over a mile from school and when I was 10/11 it always seemed like an absolute mission to walk home from school, like ‘this is going to take forever and what a pain in the arse’.

As an adult it seems amazing because a mile walk to work would be my dream....but given what I was like at 10/11 I can’t imagine a 40 minute walk to school each way as a 4 year old Confused.

Starlight456 · 20/06/2019 07:35

I think for final year I would be looking at how close your school you are aiming to send her is.

Last year is often about preparing for school so making friends there will help that transition

SmellMySmellbow · 20/06/2019 07:36

Learn to drive on an intensive course. I did an intensive course spread over 2 weeks ibstead of 5 days then passed my test. You have loads of time. Intensive courses are better as you don't forget as much in between classes as you do with weekly lessons.

SmellMySmellbow · 20/06/2019 07:37

Plus an intensive course and a cheap run around car won't be too much less money than an electric bike with child seat!

Original poster
Heckythump1 · 20/06/2019 07:39

Starlight exactly.... it's about preparing for school, hence wanting her in a school nursery. The other options aren't school nurseries.

OP posts:
womaninthedark · 20/06/2019 07:40

What use a good nursery if she's too tired to enjoy it? Don't be ridiculous. It's too far to walk.
Definitely the intensive driving course and a car. Then she can go to the lovely nursery and you will save time and give her a chance of enjoying it.

Original poster
Heckythump1 · 20/06/2019 07:43

We will probably use the bus for half the journey each way.
She is very used to walking anyway, but as you say, wouldn't want her to be too tired to enjoy it.

OP posts:
EleanorReally · 20/06/2019 07:45

you are blinkered op,
open your eyes to a nearer nursery, closer friends

HelloDearHusband · 20/06/2019 07:50

We live 1.2 mile away from school and I have only just learnt to drive after 8 years of walking there and back whatever the weather.
It's entirety possible to do it. We have a long hill to get to school but it's all downhill home (look on the bright side)

My DD was walking one way from 2 years as she refused to go in the pram until she was ready. She could do both ways before she started nursery at 3, even taking a detour through fields which was further.

Half days were a pain... I was home about a hour before I had to go back, is there anywhere close like a cafe you could go for a drink

Schoolchoicesucks · 20/06/2019 08:08

Op do you work (or have anything else to fit in between your 80 minute round trips)?

I think it would be possible for a fit & healthy and used-to-walking child to walk 40 minutes, though pretty miserable in rotten weather/if you or your child aren't feeling great.

But it doesn't sound like my idea of fun. If you're planning to live rurally then I think you need to prioritise to drive or e-cargo bike not just for the school run.

Original poster
Heckythump1 · 20/06/2019 08:18

Schoolchoicessucks
Are you going to pay for that then? There's a reason I don't drive!
It's not that rural, its a small town, just in a rural area... I.e. nearest city over an hour away by car.
I've never driven and I'm perfectly capable of getting myself from place to place.

If the weather was truly awful we would catch a bus, I'm not going to torture the poor kid!

Can't get over how many people are so anti walking! No wonder half the planet is obese!

The other 3 options all have between 20-30 minute walk so we will have a sizable commute wherever we choose to send her.

OP posts:
Barbie222 · 20/06/2019 08:23

They might get there but not back. Why can't you use a buggy?

Original poster
Heckythump1 · 20/06/2019 08:25

There is no way she would go in a pushchair, we haven't used one since just before she was 2 as she refused. Plus I am not pushing a pushchair up those hills!

OP posts:
twattymctwatterson · 20/06/2019 08:26

40 minutes for you will be considerably longer with a 4 year old. Imagine that in torrential rain, bitter cold, snow. Then you having to turn around and do the same on the way back. Seriously don't do this. Also learn to drive.

magpieC · 20/06/2019 08:26

Have you thought about an electric bike to help with the hill? My non-driving friend had an electric cargo bike which she loves for chauffeuring her children around.

gamerwidow · 20/06/2019 08:27

I wouldn’t do it without a buggy. I had a 20 minute walk (my pace) to my CM when DD was that age and even with a scooter it look us 40 minutes and some days she just couldn’t do it at all.

gamerwidow · 20/06/2019 08:28

Plus I am not pushing a pushchair up those hills
It’s easier than dragging a child and scooter up them.

gamerwidow · 20/06/2019 08:31

I don't think I'm wrong in wanting the best for daughter!
You’re not wrong but the choice of nursery is only part of the picture. It’s the whole day you need to look at to work out what is best for your child. A great pre school isn’t worth the trade off for a knackered and tearful child.

EleanorReally · 20/06/2019 08:33

A 15 minute walk on your own is equivalent to 30 minutes with a four year old, i reckon

HelloDearHusband · 20/06/2019 08:34

Op...have a trial run. On the way to visit why not walk there. We did this when returning ds's acceptance form. It took 40 mins there and same back with my then 2 yr 9 month old ds. He managed, he loves walking.

We were actually one of the few families who managed to get to school when it snowed because we didn't rely on cars. Both ds and DD love walking in the snow, and when it rains we have waterproof trousers, waterproof coat and wellies. They arrive to school dryer than those who have run in from cars in their ballet type shoes and leaky coats.

Choose the school you want op...

Quartz2208 · 20/06/2019 08:37

A non school nursery will still prepare for school and indeed will prepare for all schools in the area the school nursery will be more focused on that school

The question should be is a 40 minute commute to school for 8 years be feasible and it is a lot OP

DD has a choice of two schools to go for (grammar system) one is a 20 minute walk/10 minute drive. The other is a 70 minute public transport journey/40 minute drive. (the first is actually our closest high school)

The second one is a slightly nicer/better but any benefit is removed with the journey so please dont underestimate it when making decisions for future school

Original poster
Heckythump1 · 20/06/2019 08:40

Thanks for that dearhusband! :)
I would walk to the visit but we are coming from an hours drive and its 9.30am and we are visiting over settings straight after!
We will do lots of practice walks over the summer if we do choose this setting though :)

OP posts:
Quartz2208 · 20/06/2019 08:43

Practice though at the time you would need to leave with her

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