1.6 miles walk to schools (35-45 minutes), reception age child

[Melabela10]

Hello all,

DC1 is settled in reception in a school which we like. DC2 will join in in a couple of years

We are looking to buy a house in the neighbouring area but then the current school will be 1.6 miles away (36 minutes google maps, i would say 40-45 mnts in reality with primary age child).

Just to note that we are not looking to move the schools. We also wont be driving as we both work and traffic here is a bit mad (central-ish London). Nanny is going to do a school run with DC2 to pick up DC1 and get back home.

There is a bus, but its passing though the road with the massive traffic during school run, so it may take 40 mnts upwards when he traffic is heavy.

Has anyone been in the similar situation and managed long distances ok for 5 days a week?

The other option is to move closer to school (about 0.8-1 miles away - 15- 20 mnts walk) but then we can only afford a flat with no garden, so the house further away is more tempting!

Advice is needed please!

Does .6 of a mile really change the price that much?
I wouldn't think a 4yold could walk 45minutes twice a day. But could probably manage it on a scooter or bike.
We live 1 mile away and my 3 year old manages it there and back on his scooter.

Where I live we have separate infants and junior schools that are a mile apart and it's extremely common for people to have to walk their infants school child down to the junior school and then walk back to the infants school - often more than 2 miles depending on where they live! So, it's perfectly doable - your child will get used to it. On the way back I know lots stop off at play areas etc to make the journey less onerous - don't know if this would be possible on your route?

I agree a scooter might make it easier. The walk there will be fine but after a long day at school they may be tired so a scooter will help or a distracting trip at a playground

How sure are you that dc2 will get a place there from 1.6miles, or is the school fee paying?

Presumably the nanny would be pushing the younger child in a pushchair to collect the older child? You could try the older child on a scooter, but I’d probably opt for a buggy board - then the older child only has to stand. And then the nanny can walk more quickly which should halve the journey time.

On really bad weather days the slow bus will probably be the best option.

Agree with LIZS that was my immediate thought as well!

@LIZS some schools still have sibling priority places above distance but I agree op needs to check this!

Sounds like a long school run but a scooter or balance bike will help (depending on pavement space!)

Will it be a nice walk? We moved house and kept my son in the same school. It's the same distance (0.6 miles so a bit different) but the walk is lots nicer and only one real road to cross so feels shorter and safer. I think it would be quite stressful if there were lots of crossings on busy roads, and even more so if they're on scooters. Is the nanny able to drive even if it was just for one of the school runs a day.

Also will your younger child go to the school nursery because then that's three school runs a day?

I would say even on a scooter it seems quite a distance for a small person.

i think thats too far twice a day for little ones to be honest

are you sure your in catchment too? unless private

I would move schools it’s not fair on the children especially in bad weather and affects play dates. Do you really want your younger child stuck in a buggy for three hours a day!

I'm assuming private. But watching my Yr5/6 DC walking to and from school, hanging out with mates, being able to pop round friends houses etc ( in normal times) I'd never entertain a state school that far away myself .

I'd hate to make my little ones do that twice s day in the dead of winter. It's a long way in snow or torrential rain.

If the area the school is in, is that expensive, are you in a flat now etc?

In London and I do around 1.5miles each ways.
We cycle. I have a cargo bike. It takes no time at all and is mostly on cycling routes.
If we want to walk it I pull a scooter.

It depends on your child really. Personality wise and whether you think they can manage it. Scooter might help.

Although it was a while ago but I walked that far to and from school from age 4. (Was not walking on my own from age 4 of course, but due to younger sibling going to a different school walked to and from on my own from age 8).

I'm happy to do lots of walking but you're essentially asking the nanny to do 10km+ each day to do the school run with a smaller DC in tow and that feels like a lot. It's close to 3 hours every day and will feel like a lot longer when the weather is bad.

Reception age DC should just about manage it with some cajoling and maybe a bike/scooter but I feel a bit sorry for the nanny and DC2.

Reading this with interest as we're considering moving house soon and DC's school will be 0.9 miles away. Is that considered an acceptable distance? I hadn't thought it would be an issue but now I'm a bit worried now!

Sounds a bit miserable in winter tbh. The worry if it’s too difficult is that you might find the nanny finds an easier job.

I’m a nanny and would be quite happy to do that school run (have always picked my various charges up on foot/bike/scooter as much as possible. Longest school
run I’ve done was probably about the same as yours). Although not London which perhaps makes a difference.

My own DD, 6, loves cycling 2miles to school a few days a week, although there is only one day she cycles home as her dad picks her up the other days. I make sure I take snacks and we don’t rush home.

I think that's a long way, both at beginning and end of day, when it's raining etc. Especially as you are at the start of school, so you've got another 8 years to be doing it. Even before you throw in the times when dc1 and dc2 will need collecting at different times (trips, afterschool clubs, etc).

Yes, at that age I'd expect dc to be able to easily walk that distance and then some when you are out for some fresh air at the weekend, but that is very different from getting to school for a given time day in, day out in the cold, wet, and dark Winter mornings.

It really does depend on your child. Would they do it happily or would they whinge the entire way? It's quite a walk there & back twice a day for a nanny, but do able for the right nanny -as long as the eldest one isn't going to need cajoling the entire walk there and back.

If this is a long term move I would change schools. In reception/year 1 they settle well into a new school. It might also mean that they are more likely to move to the same secondary with some friends, depending on the selection criteria. Otherwise you are committing to the commute for 8/9 years. We moved in yr5 and ds does now walk home 2 miles but most of that is with a friend which makes it easier. Do check sibling rules and entry requirements for secondary - do any schools have named feeder schools for example.

@PandaLorry the OP is planning to go almost twice your distance!

Hi op. We have a friend who does that with her children and it worked well for them. They used scooters though. Your children will get used to it if it is part of their routine. There will be lots of moaning in the beginning if they aren't good walkers already.