How far can a child in Reception/ Year 1 walk to school?

[SingingMummy]

We currently live a 5-10 minute walk to school so we always walk. We are thinking about moving house this summer and would then be 1.2 miles from school. Would it be reasonable to expect my DS age 5 to walk/ scoot to/from school at least some of the time? He is a good walker and scooter (hasn't been in a pushchair since his sister was born just before his 3rd birthday). But it would mean 2.4 miles a day there and back.

Or am I kidding myself, and we are going to end up driving. We live in a city centre so parking/ driving is a nightmare at school run time, and I'm very reluctant to get into that.
(BTW - the reason for moving is to have a larger house. Our current house is v nice but small. We couldn't afford a bigger house here but could by moving a little further out of town).

What do you think?

We do 35 mins each way year 1 - so over your distance and its fine for ds - I am the one that cant manage (uphill on the way back, pushing a heavy buggy in this heat etc) so half the time we get the bus back...

?bike with stabilisers at first?

I live on a very steep hill I don't know how far it is but it takes 15-20minutes down and 30minutes up. We do it and it can be quite fun if you make it.

Ds is nursery BTW.

I walk most days that kind of distance.
DD2 is in reception and happily scoots the whole way there.
Walking home when they are tired can be a problem but a snack as soon as she come out of school normally helps.
DS who is 20 months likes to walk home but it does take a while!

I have found it has helped me loose at least a stone in weight. If that helps to make your mind up

Dont start driving as it is a hard habit to break.

I did with dd, but then I had no choice as I don't drive. I can imagine it's different if you've got a car available to you, perhaps too tempting to drive.

Mine walk a mile there and a mile back every day, so 2 miles.

I think he'll be absolutely fine. Walking is brilliant exercise for kids, and a good time to chat about what's gone on in the day ime. We live 15 mins walk away from school, but when I was little we were as far away as you'll be and I managed it absolutely fine from nursery onwards. We didn't have a choice as Mum didn't drive, but I am glad, as I remember those walks fondly. I still walk a lot now

About a mile here. DS1 has no problem with it since just after his 4th birthday. We usually stop for a runaround at the park as well.

DD has walked to nursery and and school with her Dad everyday since she was 3 - it is just under 2 miles (unless they go cross country when its a mile and a half). Never had any problems, she's always loved walking

Sounds like you and him will be just fine take a test drive (orin this case walk) in the holidays to get you both used to it.

Still see mums at school with full timers in buggies - yuk

My DC used to do 6 miles per day when DD1 started school aged 5 and DD2 was nearly 4. There were 2 choices - walk 6 miles (or in my case 12 as I had to go home and back out to collect them of course), or send them to the local sink estate school.

We managed it with no problems though walking across open fields wasn't much fun in the winter!

We have the same distance to school. dd1 is coming to the end of Yr1 and is absolutely fine with it. I did worry when she first started though (she was 4.5, younger end of the year but not the youngest by a long way) as doing it twice a day, every day felt like a lot for her at that point.

1.2 miles each way is 20-30mins. I'd expect a younger child to walk that. Can't see why it would be a problem for a 5 yo unless they have a medical issue. I expect mine to walk a lot further on a regular basis - though it helps if you don't have a car and therefore no choice.

Thank you for all the positive replies. I have had a lot of raised eyebrows when I mentioned it to people in RL and it was putting me off a bit.
Personally I love walking and would always rather walk than stand at a bus stop or sit in a traffic jam. But I think people are so used to driving everywhere now that they think anything more than a quick stroll is too much. I agree that it will prob be me with heavy pushchair who struggles - not high energy 5 year old

we walk a mile to and from school. dd does this twice a day as she is mornings only this year then has to go back to school later to pick up the big ones.

She has been doing this with no problems from just after Easter when she turned 3.

We walk 1.5miles each way to school. DC's are 6. I think you and your DS'll be fine!

My infant school was just under 2 miles a way and we usally walked. My mum would push her bike there with all the bags etc on it then cycle back, which saved her time. Also if we were tired she would push us on the bike for a bit.

We live a mile from our school and DS is 5.5 (reception).

It will take him few weeks to get fit, but perservere.

DS1 is not a walker and needs a bit of encouragement, but we get there. He's much happier on his bike.

DO make sure he has a good breakfast - if not, take a sandwich/croissant with you. Same for the return journey - DS1 usually gets fruit and pancakes before we return home.

DC was walking this kind of distance before age 3 - however, did get tired sometimes, so walking one way initially might be an idea. Some days DC can cope with there and back (age 4 now), but not always (depends on how much running around).

We have walked this sort of distance since mine were in Reception. Sometimes, if it's raining or really hot we'll drive halfway, park & go on to school, I walk home and back in the afternoon, then pick up the car on the way home. That way we all get exercise and keep petrol costs down too.

4 yo DD walked 2 miles there and 2 miles back, no whinging.

My DDs (Y1 and nursery) do this sort of distance (with scooters and bikes) - downhill in the morning is quick, about 20 mins. Coming home uphill can be a bit whingy, (particularly my just turned 4 year old) but we just take our time, lots of water/snacks etc. I would absolutely echo what someone said about the need for a really good breakfast.

There is a bus though, which I hate getting but can be useful when it's very cold/wet etc.

Yes, get DS to walk. Great idea. And easier on a scooter.

Goodness knows any exercise you can give a kid is going to be extremely valuable.

I see people (honestly I do) pushing their school-aged, uniformed kids home from school in a buggy. What the hell has happened to people these days? Good for you.

Do this twice a day everyday. DD is 4. Helps to have the scooter as she is not so keen on walking.