Private primary London - logistics

[NWLParent]

Hi,
We live in north London with a dc who is almost three and thinking about primary schools. Our options are a lovely seeming local state primary (5-10 minute walk) but also considering the private primaries in Belsize Park / Hampstead which are a bit further away.

We are both working full time (most days in the office in central London) and wondering how painful logistics for the private schools would be.

Most private primaries would be c 30 minute walk with only annoying public transport options (essentially take the same / more time as walking). Only one of us drives and we take public transport into work, so we wouldn’t expect to drive for drop-off. We would expect we need an afterschool nanny for pickup. We were thus wondering how other families do this.

Is a 30 minute walk each way (presumably on a scooter) feasible with a 4y old?
Would after school nannies typically also do drop-off in the morning?
Should we expect most other families to have one parent working part-time / SAHP?

Separately - should we expect to spend most of the weekend driving around for play dates / birthday parties etc?
Many thanks!

My kids are at state primary but can answer some of this.

i do a 20min walk each way with my 4yo (outstanding religious primary so bigger than usual distance). It’s made infinitely easier by a cargo bike. Electric cargo bikes could drop your child and carry you into work and I see them outside local private preps.

It’s very difficult to get a nanny for wraparound including drop off - other solutions would include an au pair (live in) or dropping the child early and using breakfast club.

Bike is definitely the answer. It’s almost always the quickest way to drop then get into the office.

Private primaries always have good wraparound care, so as long as you’re not working silly hours you should be fine.

My DD goes to a North London prep. I don't know anyone who does a 30 min walk with 4/5 year olds - my DD wouldn't have liked it. We moved near our school after she started there so she has a 5 min walk. Most dc live within a 20 min walk/scoot, or take the tube/Overground or the school bus. A few parents drive or cycle.

Most families at our school have both parents working and there are a lot of nannies doing pickups. There is also after school care which runs to 6pm. But a nanny can take a child to extracurriculars so most parents prefer that to doing free play in the after school care.

If it’s 30 min down loud/polluted streets, I wouldn’t choose that as that can be overwhelming for a 4 year old (or any age!). But if it’s a quiet route it can work - we had a 20 min walk every day (kids on their scooters) and knew families that had 30+ min walks. It can be a nice time to chat or practice spellings etc plus you get some exercise! How easy would it be for you or your partner to then get to the office from any of the schools you’re considering?

All that said, when it’s really cold and/or raining, the last thing you want to do is have to walk a long distance with a small child. If you have a good state school near you, that’s definitely the easiest option. Friends will be local and drop offs/pickups (by you or after school nanny) infinitely easier. Plus they'd have more time (and you’d have extra money) for after-school activities if already close to home.

You could always switch to private at 7+ if you think your child would benefit from it.

Also be quick on the trigger as you may already be late for some of the nw3 private primaries

I’d definitely go for the local state primary. Local friends. Part of the local community. Greater diversity and culture. Walk to school. No competition in my book. Most primaries offer wraparound care.

30 minutes is far at that age. When my kids were little about 70% of families lived within a mile of the private school. Most were within about a 15 min walk. That definitely helps with playdates and being part of the community. My girls went to the park today and bumped into the school friends. Going to a play date tomorrow with a friend two roads away. The kids who do liver further away just don't get as many playdates etc as many are after school not on the weekends.

Lots of people have after school nannies. Many parents do drop-off though as it keeps you in touch with the school and with most working from home at least part of the week usually the logistics work. Dads are on the school run as much as mom's where we are.

If you are applying to a through school, I'd just move if you can afford to live nearby, ideally some place with good options if you have more children.

Thanks all - really helpful!

My husband walks 35 mins to school with our reception age daughter every day. It is a nice walk and she scoots. She sometimes complains but mostly enjoys it. However, they usually drive or get the bus back home. Doing it twice a day would be a lot I think.