How do school buses work in reception?

[sethstarkaddersmum]

We are thinking of moving to a village without a school; apparently there is a school bus to the next village. DD is in reception and I have 2 younger dcs.

But at our school the parents all drop their own children off, take them in and help them change their shoes etc, and the teacher uses the pick-up time as an opportunity to exchange information. I'm not sure how it would work if the parent wasn't there.

So do 4 year olds really get put on a school bus? Or am I going to be doing a school run by car until the youngest has been at school a few years?

I took DD1 in for the first term of Reception, but she has been going on the bus since the January of Yr R, when she was almost 5.

In our school parents aren't allowed into the cloakroom in any case, and I make sure I get in to collect her on a Friday afternoon, which is a good chance to catch up with other parents etc. I also go in an listen to readers once a week, which is great for staying in touch with the teacher, and communication with the office I do by phone.

If the school is used to children coming in by bus, they will be used to keeping channels of communication open with parents.

For me the school bus is a lifesaver - not only does it save me driving 60 miles a week (school is 3 miles away), it also means that:
(a) it doesn't matter if DD2 is still in her pajamas when the bus comes!
(b) I don't have to worry about parking at school
(c) I get an extra half hour to an hour on the beginning and end of each day, which is invaluable as I work from home.

Try it - it's fab!

My kids have been getting the bus this year, the bus has an escort who helps the kids. Really kids are quite capable of changing their own shoes when necessary, and getting their friends to help. Pick up time can be a time for messages, but I'm never there (kids go to after school clubs) so we have messages in book bags, phone calls, emails. It works fine, even when DD2 has had some real wobbles this year.

Different schools do things in different ways. I'm always amazed by the local school where even receptions children have real ties, but they all seem to cope.

thank you
rofl re shoes. DD is in fact quite capable of changing her own shoes and refuses because I'm there
It would be good for her, wouldn't it?

We live in a village without a school. Children have to go to the next village (3 miles) to primary school. They can go on the school bus from 4 years old. There is an escort on the bus who sees them into school and makes sure they get on at the end of the day.

In practice, only the ones with older siblings who already use the bus actually do so at 4yo.
I'm going to take my ds (starts Sept) for the first year at least though. Partly so that I get to see who he is friends with, partly so that I can see my friends, and partly because I'll have to drive his younger brother to pre-school at the same place anyway.

It may be different where you are but here (Herts) the buses get oversubscribed so it is worth making enquiries asap if you think you might want to use it. We have to apply before the end of July and can't change our minds mid way through the academic year.

ah, useful to know they may get oversubscribed - thanks.