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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

Travelling to school

11 replies

Newname626 · 16/05/2023 12:40

DD starts school in September. Primary school is a 1.2 mile walk away (20 mins for an adult). She is not great at walking and I think she will find that distance difficult especially at first (her gross motor skills have always been a bit behind) even if she does walk it she will be terribly slow. Any tips to make it easier? Will probably have 1 parent do drop off/pick up on foot and 1 in car (we are a 1 car household, 1 parent drives to work and 1 parent works from home). Wondering if we should get her a scooter?

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Pjmasksonrepeat · 16/05/2023 12:51

We were going to have this should we have gotten our second or third choice. Our DS is the same as your DD with gross motor skills. We were thinking a bike that we could push of he got tired, a scooter for him to hold on and us push/pull along or a seat on the back of an adult bike. I hope you find a solution that works for you.

Mintearo7 · 16/05/2023 12:51

Definitely scooter. Get her used to it asap. DS is in reception and school is 15/20 min walk. We have one with a pull strap so occasionally pull him if tired or pushed for time. Seemed a slog at first especially as winter draws in but he’s got more stamina now and those walks are golden for us - great time to chat and observe the environment. Like you we have one car but end up walking 70% of the time.

aintnospringchicken · 16/05/2023 12:51

A scooter is a great idea. Loads of primary aged children in our area scoot or cycle to school.It's a pretty safe route using the promenade.

Original poster

Newname626 · 16/05/2023 12:57

Thanks, she doesn't understand pedaling a bike so scooter might be easier for her to pick up is what i was thinking. There is a bus we could catch and might even get away with the short hop fare but that's maybe a bit expensive to do every day! Maybe just the bad weather ones...

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Marblessolveeverything · 16/05/2023 13:06

If the scooter is challenging then perhaps a bike with a push bar - basket for bag! save your back a bit!.

RosaSkye · 16/05/2023 13:07

Go with a scooter and ask if there’s anywhere you could store it at school to save you carrying it back and there again?

FlounderingFruitcake · 16/05/2023 13:08

Definitely a scooter and get one of those pull leads for when she gets tired. Also bring a snack for the journey home!

Misstabithabean · 16/05/2023 13:13

How about a balance bike? I find it easier to push my little one along on this when tired. He sits down and free wheels. I find he uses his own power on the way to school but often needs a push on the way home. Knowing how to use a balance bike has helped enormously with transitioning to a pedal bike too.

baklavagoddess · 16/05/2023 13:14

Our school run is 30 mins walking, 2 hours of walking a day for me! I second the scooter idea, also snacks for the way home, we do ice lollies on hot days, she will soon get used to it

Tiredmumofthreekids · 16/05/2023 21:08

it all depends on a child. generally 1.2 miles is not too far, just get a scooter or balance bike and a pullling rope. one of my DC was a difficult one and hated walking and on occasions we didnt drive for pickups we just used a lightweight buggy (where he would happily nap!) at the reception age.

lanthanum · 17/05/2023 10:50

Scooter, definitely. Mine used to hold onto the handlebar with one hand and my hand with the other, if she was tired, and I just pulled her along. And I agree with the after-school snack - either in the playground before you set off or partway home if there's a convenient bench.

Other tips for scooters: make sure you have a rule about where to stop if they scoot ahead (eg every lamp-post or corner). Do not use the scooter when it is very windy - a gust of wind can suddenly propel them quite a distance, potentially in front of a car. Foldable ones exist but some schools have designated scooter parking.

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