Getting kids into central London for school

[NotQuiteCockney]

Does anyone else here get their kids into central London every day for school? DS1 is down for an IS in the City, about two miles from us. I don't drive (and who would drive to there!). I don't think they have school busses. I could cope with taking the tube in with him a few times a week, but every day?

Do parents generally take turns bringing several kids in? Are there nannies or something who will do this for us?

(And how on earth will I get DS2 to a much more local school every morning?)

This is all nearly two years away, but that doesn't stop me fretting. Am I worrying for nothing?

I agree with caligula re headteachers and their influence, all the teachers I know say the same.

NQC, yeah, I got a call but did have the feeling that some people wouldn't just due to what seemed to be a lack of preparedness for that sort of thing. Talked to a woman who met the new head today and said she was very nice and approachable. The new head had gone up to her and introduced herself and had a nice chat. She (the woman I talked to) was impressed, if a bit peeved that her employer (she's a nanny) hadn't told her the head was changing.

Anyway, was thinking of you today coming home. It's far too cold to bike any distance with a child on their own bike or doing the tandem thing, I'd think. We barely made it home today as my son was about to die (or so he'd have me think) but it was too cold for him and painful. So make sure you have a back-up for the winter months.

I think the trip home from the City would be easier than the trip there as it's not rush hour. And, to answer your original question, there is probably an informal car-share or similar for kids in the area. You could also hire a taxi or mini-cab to do it on a regular basis.

The heads of the department (?) in our school seem to have a lot of influence. The Lower Juniors head is the woman who sold me on the school and I really like the deputy head of the school (wonder why she didn't get the job?). I have to say I hope you change your mind. I had an easy 25 minute commute with my eldest (and he took the school bus most days, so I had no commute) in Switzerland and he made friends, but there isn't anything like going to a local school and having local friends. I'm so much happier here and that's not the only reason, but it has made far more of a difference than I had thought. And I thought it would make a huge difference.

I was thinking about this today

DS is at primary school with just over 200 children

The head knows each child by name and the parents and whose child is theirs

she knows about who they are friends with etc.

You cant go into tesco without meeting someone from school or into local town on saturday.

In church on sunday there are loads of children {C of E}

It is not a little village and there are lots of other primary schools around

But DS really likes going into town or tesco to see who he will meet.

Which is lovely

So on reflection IMHO I would stay with school down the road.

But of course it is your choice

Yeah, I'm more and more tempted by the idea of staying at this school. It's not me who's adamant about the central London school. (Unfortunately, it is me who'll be stuck with the practicalities. Gr.) Hopefully the new head will help convince DH that staying would be ok.

Oh, JJ, is your DS2 in any sort of nursery? I ask because the childcare co-op we used to use is moving to the top of the road the school is on, as of next week. They have places, and it's a really lovely sociable experience. CAT me if you're interested.

NQC, thanks -- will you email me with the details at jj at flubus dot com (put "mumsnet" or something like that as the subject as I get loads of spam and do mass deletes of unread email). My youngest is at a nursery at the top of the park, but I get asked a lot about nursery places for other people's kids and his is nearly full.

NotQuiteCockney, my 5 year old goes to a school in the City and getting him there is a real nuisance. I would dearly love to take the tube but with a 1 and 3 year old as well, I just can't do it safely given the crowds and the number of steps involved. The bus is out of the question too unfortunately as they are so full at that time that folding up the double buggy while we all have to stand is too difficult. So, I do a share with a neighbour and do three days a week. Unfortunately the school is 300 yards inside the congestion zone. Often my aim is to park and walk the last bit but with four children under 6 in tow, narrow footpaths, speeding motorists and cold weather, more often than not we end up driving all the way. Of course there is only metered parking available and usually, no free spaces.

I am absolutely thrilled with the school and all three of mine will go there. It's proximity to DH's work means he is able to join in their weekly ice skating sessions, go to assemblies and generally be involved. I would advise you to think carefully though as the school run is a big pain in the bum. At least it means I relish the holidays though.

I think I'll have to talk to the school. I really do prefer this school to our current one, I think. And I've realised, I'd be totally happy to have another parent do bringing-in, and I could do taking home and minding extra kids after school - the school didn't have any after-school clubs when we toured, so I'm sure other parents would be interested in this. Taking a troop of kids home on the tube at 3:30 and then keeping them amused at home could be fine, I already enjoy having "spare" kids.