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Primary education

Join our Primary Education forum to discuss starting school and helping your child get the most out of it.

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Original poster

Transport to get a 4 year old to school/nursery, anyone know of any? or have any ideas?

19 replies

himynameisfred · 12/01/2012 19:15

We're in the middle of nowhere with no public transport, and the local authority said theyll help after he's 5.
doesn anyone know what can be done to get him to school until then?

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Kormachameleon · 12/01/2012 19:17

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Northernlurker · 12/01/2012 19:18

Why not keep him at home till he is 5 if it's a big problem to get him there. He doesn't have to be at school just because other children are. Boys in particular benefit from a late start imo.

MMQC · 12/01/2012 19:18

We paid for our daughter to get on the school bus when she started school at the age of four. It worked out at just £1 a day, so worth every penny. Might be worth checking with the council whether paying is an option.

IwishIwasmoreorganised · 12/01/2012 19:19

How far away are you? Is it along main roads, quiet roads, are there pavements? Do others go the same way?

Bunbaker · 12/01/2012 19:21

I know it is rudiculously obvious, but I would suggest you learn to drive.

Bunbaker · 12/01/2012 19:21

D'oh! Ridiculusly

NormanTheForeman · 12/01/2012 19:24

Is the problem that you don't drive or that your dh/dp does but needs the car for work and you can't afford more than one car? I'm surprised you are prepeared to live in the middle of nowhere with no public transport if you don't have access to a car. How do you get anywhere else?

Is there maybe some other Mum nearby who might be passing where you live who could give your ds a lift?

ragged · 12/01/2012 19:26

cycle, taxi, public bus, lift with friends?
(leaving aside folk who cycle/pony/tractor)

ragged · 12/01/2012 19:27

how far away is it, OP?

MoaningMinnieWhingesAgain · 12/01/2012 19:31

OP has another relevant thread here and has no transport partly due to twunt of an exP

RillaBlythe · 12/01/2012 19:32

Bike & bike trailer...

MoaningMinnieWhingesAgain · 12/01/2012 19:32

As they are not required to attend until the term after turning 5, you may find there is no free transport available. Perhaps the SW or WA can give you more advice on this?

MrsJohnDeere · 12/01/2012 20:01

Have you spoken to the school? They might be able to suggest something. Our local authority will do anything to avoid offering transport to the nearest primary school (3 miles away). They denied there was a bus (until I pointed out that I knew there was as it stopped outside my house twice a day), then said Dcs wasn't eligible until he was 5, we would have to pay, etc etc. All nonsense. Once I spoke to the school and got the correct jargon ('no safe walking route under 3 miles') they turned round and grudgingly offered him a free place on the bus. I know too here that of there isn't a convenient bus they have to arrange taxis to collect children (although don't know if that kicks in before 5 as no one of that age has tried to use it).

ragged · 12/01/2012 20:01

Aw, Ta for that heads up, didn't realise realise there was so much history. :(

Original poster

himynameisfred · 14/01/2012 19:01

It's about 7 miles each way.
I'm learning to drive asap, and moving asap.
Both will take about 6 months.

There is no buses that can take us there.

The only transport is a taxi that would cost £14 each way 4 trips a day £56 per day.

We're having to give up on him going to nursery.

I'm arranging to go to some play groups instead in the city as there is a National Express that passes a road in walking distance to get us out of here once a day. Will mean spending 9.30am till 6.15pm outdoors so will be exhausting, but we'll do it a few days a week.

OP posts:

Dolcegusto · 14/01/2012 19:03

Where are you op?

I'll help if I can.

ValarMorghulis · 14/01/2012 19:04

The LEA will usually allow fre places on the school bus in situations like this once the child has reached compulsory school age, ie 5. But prior to that you are able to pay towards the cost of your childs journey and so they will still be able to access the school transport facilities. Although at a slight cost to you, it is usually far far cheaper than public transport costs and you have the benefit of an escort accompanying your child.

MrsJohnDeere · 14/01/2012 19:36

Are there any other parents nearby, or who would drive by your house to get to school or nursery? They might be happy to take your ds to school for a small comtribution towards petrol or if you offered something in return (babysitting, ironing?). Could get you out of a hole unti you can drive or move.

Original poster

himynameisfred · 14/01/2012 20:48

Hey I don't believe there's any bus that will go that way.

I'm willing to pay upto £20 a week to get him to nursery if there was any way.

He'll be 5 next month, so they said they'll arrange transport the term after he's 5, easter I believe, when they find a scholl that will accomodate him. The school we got him into couldn't meet his needs. I assumed he could go there with one on one support, but the answer to that was no, the school won't fund the one on one as it'd need to be fulltime, so will put him in a special school.

There's only one other child in this village and that one goes to a school, hmm..

Live in between Bourne and Sleaford x

OP posts:

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