Travelling to Primary School

[gabity]

How long do you think is acceptable for a child to travel to Primary School?

We live about 10 miles from the school but DD will be on the bus for nearly 45 mins as goes round the long way collecting other children (school bus, not public transport - we only get one normal bus a month!).

We recently moved here, its where I grew up so its what I did when I was at school (90 mins in bus for Secondary), I hadn't given it a second thought but when DH found out he was and says no 4 year old child of his is going in a bus by themselves (she won't be by herself there will be other children!) and he will take her to school himself! Is he being a bit precious? Or is it me?

I think 45 minutes on a bus is far too long for a four year old, especially in the morning - she'll be shattered before she's even started school.

Are there any nearer schools?

I agree with Bonsoir, my 4 year old would definitely be asleep on the ride home! And I really wouldn't like the thought of him making that journey without mum or dad - but I have been called precious before

I used to take the bus at age 7, with my older sister - this is more acceptable I think.

iit's a long journey for a 4 year old imo. Personally i wouldn't like my 4 year old travelling alone (that is without 'proper' adullt supervision. i know there would be a bus driver, but he or she will be there to drive and not to supervise.

Big difference is you've done it yourself and i haven't (has your dh?)

ds1 is 7 and wantss to travel to school alone but i'm not letting him, even though i walked myself at that age, because he has to get a tram. I do belive he could manage it fine, but i don't think he could handle it if something happened, such as the service was off for a while or he missed the stop because it was so busy he couldn't get to the door.

My 6 year old gets the school bus every morning - her choice, I would happily drive her and she knows this, she likes to catch the bus with her friends for the chatting time and the fact they arrive early at school and have lots of time to play before school begins. We live overseas though where 99% of children either walk or take a bus without parents from starting school at age 6 or 7. It is also only 5km - 8 mins on the way there but about 20 mins on the way back when they wait a while before leaving and then go a different route around several other small villages. She has no problem at all with it but she is 6, plus she waits at the bus stop with about 12 other children, all of whom she knows and 4 or 5 of whom are friends who play at ours.

My question would be whether this is the nearest school, to which all the children in your village go, or whether you are choosing to send her to one further away, when there is one nearer? I think if it is the nearest school then it will be normal to all the local children and not so bad... if she is all on her own and knows nobody it could be a very long lonely journey.

Do you know if the bus driver has a list of which children get off at which stop and will make sure they do, or whether it is down to her to remember and be awake!?

Also if all the local children take the bus her dad will be marking her out as different by driving her and that could go against her when it comes to making friends!

My DDs did something similar for a while (when the bus still ran), and we only lived 10 minute walk from school. It was just a cheap form of childcare, and allowed me to get to work for 8 am (breakfast club started at 8 am). They loved it, they chatted to friends and watch videos. They didn't usually do the return journey as after school care fitted better.
I think it depends on how long the school day is, and how professional the school bus is, we had escorts who were lovely.
The service got cut BTW, so it can't be done now.

If thats the school bus there will be other primary age children on it. At DSs school teh school bus kids are met by a member of staff and wait in the library before school as bus is normally a bit early arriving, after school they are collected from class room and walked to bus by member of staff, MOST days ( tho prehaps not all) a member of staff ( TA) travels on the bus as well (as far as their house near teh end of the route) . Some kids have been on the bus from day 1, others families have waited till term 2 , 3 or 4 before deciding their kid was "old enough " to be on bus AND organise themselves at start and end of school day.

No closer schools, in Scotland if that makes a difference? Unless private, everyone from local area goes to the same primary/secondary.

She will go to pre school next year, that is 20 mims in the bus but with an adult present as well as the driver so she will be used to the concept of buses. No supervision on primary bus but there is a list of who should be there.

DH grew up in a city, so 2 min walk to school -he is still adjusting to country living!

I can't really remember being overly tired when I did it (20 years ago though!) just saw it as a chance to chat and catch up with friends.

Does he know that some kids in Scotland board from the age of 11 or younger? And do some kids in the Orkneys still fly to school?

My DD did a similar bus journey from day 1 in reception she had an older girl who was responsible for her. She loved the bus she loved the older girls who cared for her. She was exhausted at home, but I never her asked her to do any clubs after school so she could just relax.
I don't know about Orkney, but in Shetland if the weather is bad and the Bressa very stops the rescue helicopter flys the children home from Anderson high.

DH would faint at the thought of ferry journeys or flights!

I was just so surprised at his reaction when I wouldn't have given it a thought. Judging by the mixed responses we are both right and its just what you are used to!

He will get used to it along with the wolves he is convinced live in the woods beside us just one of the joys of living in the back and beyond.

It makes a bit of a difference that there is a list and she'd have experienced it.

Though I'd still be feeling uptight about it (at the start anyway). though like your DH I'm a city dweller and always have been!!!