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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:
Original poster
Heckythump1 · 19/06/2019 11:31

Di11y ... it's a small town with only 3 schools, we will be in catchment for all of them. This is the only one with a nursery attached.

OP posts:
drspouse · 19/06/2019 11:32

(My work, and nursery, are that far, but we always drove or biked it or else bus. School is closer but as one DC will be moving school to about that far and up a big hill I'm afraid that will be driving too).

Deadringer · 19/06/2019 11:33

I wouldn't do it. There might be days when she is shattered and just not up to it. You will have to leave earlier than if it's local and get home later. If you get a call that she is ill it will take you that much longer to get to her and she might really struggle with the journey home. The other children and their parents won't live near you so not useful if you or your DD make good friends there. What about play dates later on, after school activities, all very awkward if you have no car. And if you have more DC it will be even more difficult.

HorridHenrysNits · 19/06/2019 11:33

Is it really not bike-able at all? Because if I were set on this preschool that would be my definite preferred option for a 40 minute walk.

Sunshineonleith12 · 19/06/2019 11:34

Whats the distance in miles?

moleeye · 19/06/2019 11:34

I've got a 4 year old and we are 15 mins from nursery. She often scoots there to save time.

She would struggle with a 40 min walk twice a day, day in and out in all weather. Suspect there would be a lot of whinging on the journey.

Some days she's shattered from nursery and she only goes three days a week.

Personally I'd go somewhere closer to home

Original poster
Heckythump1 · 19/06/2019 11:36

The downhills would be, but the uphills I would have to push the bike up with child on board I think, I've never ridden a bike with child seat, so don't know if I'd manage it!

OP posts:
CaptainJaneway62 · 19/06/2019 11:36

I used to do a similar walk to nursery many years ago when I was working(did the walk for 3years) then similar walk from nursery to work and then back again after work.

In summer it was fine but had to use the buggy( she was only a little dot)!
In the winter when it was really bad weather(pushing buggy through snow was near impossible)...I had to get taxis to and from the nursery(no buses on the route) to save her from getting cold.
I walked to and from the nursery to work in all weathers.

I had a full set of heavy duty waterproofs and had clean dry clothes and hairdryer at work as well because a lot of those days I was drenched.

The only upside was it kept me fit and I skinny as a rake!

My advice would be to choose somewhere a lot nearer if you can because we have very long wet/cold/freezing weather and it is absolutely no fun no matter how much you enjoy walking!

MrsBlondie · 19/06/2019 11:36

No way. A complete pain. Can you cycle? I guess if I could cycle maybe, but still no. Imagine in the winter, rain etc.

Original poster
Heckythump1 · 19/06/2019 11:37

Sunshineonleith .... 1.5 miles, but half of each way is up hill.

OP posts:
MereDintofPandiculation · 19/06/2019 11:38

It would be a total of 160 mins (nearly 3 hrs) for you. More, if two of the trips are at 4 year old pace.

You say best on paper - you really need to check them out. Friend of mine just moved house to get into catchment area of her "best on paper" primary school, visited, hated it, and had to move again to get into the catchment for a different school.

Toooldtocareanymore · 19/06/2019 11:39

No way would I consider that, what happens after the 40 min walk? do you return home or go on somewhere else , you could be talking of over 2 and a half hours a day in lashing rain, sleet, snow, or with luck some heat walking a little one to and from school, even worse on the half day. How long at home before you have to turn about again. I did find my kids were very tired after school when they first started, far more tired than they were coming home at a much later time from nursery or crèche, so your making your little ones day a good bit longer to get them there in time and a long walk or scoot after if they are tired.

Also another thought for you to consider and this is important for reception onwards , we have a child going to school which would be about a similar walk distance to what you explain, we both drive and its on one direct bus route so not bad for us , however one negative was he rarely got invited to play dates as all his class mates live within a short distance of school it was easier for them to arrange local play dates.

Pinkmouse6 · 19/06/2019 11:39

My DC’s have always been in a school half an hour walk away. They were in the city and are now in the small town we moved to. I drive but sometimes have had to walk it when my car was in for repairs or whatever. I’m on mat leave atm as well so walk it if the weather is nice.

It’s absolute hell, I would not put myself through that willingly day in, day out in all weathers. I’ve done it when the snow was bad and their school still decided to open, couldn’t get my car out. I have no idea why I still walked them on there but I did and it was literal hell.

I’d only do it if you plan to start learning to drive ASAP.

Original poster
Heckythump1 · 19/06/2019 11:40

We are visiting all our options over the next week, hope I hate it in real life!

OP posts:
Pinkmouse6 · 19/06/2019 11:40

tooold makes a fair point as well. Most people live much closer to the school so I found they also planned birthday parties in and around that area which was a fair distance from where we lived.

Doyoumind · 19/06/2019 11:41

I think you would live to regret it and even if you got a place at the school (being in catchment is absolutely no guarantee and you sound quite a distance from the school) how could a four year old be expected to do that every single day, twice, in reception? How would you have the time?

Skittlesss · 19/06/2019 11:41

You’ve got to think about your journey - 40mins there and 40mins back twice a day. That’s a lot of walking if it’s snowing/crap weather or if you want to do something during nursery hours.

NoSquirrels · 19/06/2019 11:42

Are you SURE you’d be in catchment for this school? If not, I would rule it out, tbh. 40 minutes is a long time and honestly a nursery closer would probably be just as good.

And you’ll begin to loathe the half-day session, I assure you - no time to come home & go back again so your flexibility is affected.

ElizaPancakes · 19/06/2019 11:43

40 mins at your rate will easily be an hour with the child in tow, just be aware of that!

My last child went to a nursery about a 20 minute brisk walk away...which was fine when you’re not taking a meandering child with you lol!

jennymanara · 19/06/2019 11:43

Get a cheap buggy and it will be fine.

TinselTimes · 19/06/2019 11:44

So you’d spend 2 hours 40 minutes doing school runs. Every school day for 7 years. Imagine everything else you could do with that time!

Doyoumind · 19/06/2019 11:44

Btw OP, in our LA anyway, you can look at the admissions data and see how far away those who got a reception place offer live. It might be worth checking that before setting your heart on a nursery where you won't go on to get a reception place.

Bluerussian · 19/06/2019 11:45

I think a 40 minute walk would be difficult in very bad weather.

chillychicken · 19/06/2019 11:45

Are you sure you're in catchment for all 3 schools? We were only in catchment for one school despite having 3 within 1.5miles of us.

chillychicken · 19/06/2019 11:46

Oh and also, no way would I walk 40 minutes each way with my 4yr old. We're a 10 minute walk to his school and he moans half way home Grin