Too young to ride scooter to nursery?

[ShePersisted]

For the past year, our very energetic 4yo daughter has ridden her micro scooter to nursery while I walk either next to her or slightly behind. She enjoys the independence and knows the rules of the road - to stay on the pavement and never to cross without an adult by her side. We trust her and altogether this seemed quite a positive development for a toddler who often refused the buggy. A worker from her nursery imparted the unwelcome advice that she doesn't approve of children riding scooters on the pavement because of the risk. I'm definitely not one to cotton wool our kids, but now she's got me doubting my judgment. There's only one road where there's a bit of traffic, but it's not the high road, and not multi-lanes. Do you let your children scoot to nursery/ school? From how old would you let them? And don't you wish people would butt out?! TIA

Does depend on the individual child, but, as she is like you describe, then it doesn't sound too young to me.
However, it isn't for her to comment on your parenting choices unless there was a real safeguarding issue.

Sounds fine to me. We have a scootow which might help on the busy road (that's the only place I use ours).

I let mine. Life is full of risks. She can scoot extremely well. I made them wear helmets when they were young and I still would on the sprites.

Sounds like you know your child well. My DC rode balance bikes to nursery / childminders from age 3 and 2 (ds2 picked it up quicker). Same principle and they knew to stop at junctions, corners and check driveways.

Yes, exact same scenario. Like yours my 4yr child knows never to cross without me, and automatically stops & waits if she starts pulling too far ahead. It's not a busy road, there's 2 side roads to cross and then the lollipop man over to school.
I trust her to stop at roads, and she also stops instantly if I shout 'STOP'. If this wasn't the case I would reconsider, but it is. And I'm not sure if when the time comes in a few years my 2nd child would be as obedient so maybe she will just be walking. It makes the school run much faster, scooting rather than walking at snails pace, and a few of the others in her class do it as well.

If someone were to say something about it similar to what was said to you I'd be annoyed, but wouldn't stop as, as I say, I know her capabilities and that she can be trusted, a different child may be different.

I let mine from age 2.5 until age 4, often near busy roads. She always wore a helmet, I always walked/ran alongside and stayed roadside. We never had any problems.

we would not have been able to get from a to b without my DD scooting everywhere. I really don't see the problem. DD has scooted home from school every day since reception (she's summer born) and before that used to scoot part of journey to nursery. she also scoots to park etc

I've taken dgs to nursery on his balance bike since he got it for his second birthday in July. We do live on the same road as the nursery but he does have several very minor roads to negotiate. He goes at my fast walking pace. He loves it and so do I as it gets him there quicker. The nursery staff are very complimentary about his balance biking prowess.

I think you know best and your instincts are right. I would continue. There is only one road and she stops at the pavement.

I think she needs to mind her own business. If she doesn't approve of it, then she doesn't have to do it with her own kids. What you feel comfortable doing with your own is your choice. We don't have a scooter, but we did have a balance bike. I never personally let ours ride it to nursery, though she has asked. However, that's only because I suspect I would have to carry it part of the way (it's about a mile on quite country lanes though slightly uphill) and I would certainly have to carry it the mile back. It's too heavy for me to bother with that and she gets plenty of time to ride it around at home.

It's your decision as a parent and it depends on the child. I don't let DS ride his to school but he does have Autism and no road sense whatsoever. He would whizz off too far away while I'm running behind with DD.

If your daughter knows how to scoot safely to school. What's the problem?

Most of the local kids scoot or cycle to pre-school and school in our village and it's seems to be encouraged. We are lucky it's quiet - but not quiet enough for DS!

I manage a nursery and I would not be happy if my staff had said this
It is none of their business and they should keep their opinions to themselves
It crosses a line

Totally fine in my book! My boy has ridden bike or scooted to nursery since he was 3.5!
Good exercise✔️
learning rules of the road✔️
Awareness of others✔️
Life skill✔️
Fresh air✔️

I'm a nanny and at one point I had what I affectionately called 'my scooter gang'
Five children aged between 3 and 10 plus myself scooting to nursery and school.
At the moment I care for two 4 year olds who love to scoot everywhere.
As long as you're aware of potential hazards (like toddlers sharing the pavement/mobility scooter hurtling towards you etc) and act accordingly to avoid them,
And you've taught and encourage the children to be safety conscious themselves there's no problem!