Would you move children to a nearer primary school and nursery?

[Mrspebe]

We’ve moved house 2 miles away. Eldest in reception. Youngest is 2.

In no traffic it takes 10 minutes to get to their school/nursery. Totally underestimated school traffic and parking! I drop off at 7.30 and pick up around 5.30. My job is in the opposite direction - 10 minute drive with no traffic. It takes me an hour from leaving my house, dropping the kids off and arriving at work. A 2 hour commute per day.

Feels such a long day for the kids! Love the school/ nursery, kids happy. I also get free wraparound care as MIL works at the school. Amazing… but the commute! Eldest was late to bed tonight after eating dinner etc. surely I can’t do this long term! DH could fetch but it would take even longer for him as he can’t drive. He’s partially sighted and would have to get the bus.

Do I move the kids to the local primary school and nursery round the corner? Will then have to pay for wraparound care but they won’t spend an hour a day sat in the car! What would you do?

Probably an extra £200 per month in wrap around (I work 3 days at the moment. Planning to go full time when youngest is at school) but I think the day nursery is cheaper than the current one so it may balance out… awful when they’ll both need wraparound though!

What would the times be in the other school?

I'd choose whichever school was better (in terms of teaching, facilities and opportunities). We ended up with a similar commute but we had always planned that as we rented a flat near a popular school and then bought a house further away because we couldn't have afforded to buy closer.

If the schools are similar in terms of results and ethos then yes I'd move dcs to the closer school. For us the long drive was worth it to be in the best school locally.

I would look to move them, providing you like the local school. That commute sounds stressful and exhausting for all involved. It will be much better all round for the children to go to a local school, which they can eventually walk to themselves, where they can make local friends who they can meet up and play with (when older) without relying on lifts across town etc.

I would move them just imagine the commute every day for 7 years plus! Does the primary school have a place for your DD? It would be better to move her sooner rather than later.

If your MIL works at the school, could she help by taking them in with her or bringing them home?

Staff often have meetings after school and is mil part time? However some help might help!

It’s not unusual for prep school parents to do this. You have your commute anyway so it’s not an extra 2 hours. It’s much less than that. If dc are settled I’d suck it up. As a child, my commute to school every day was 30 mins - I walked there and back. I assume there’s no walking crocodile near school they can join as you are going in early? Some parents use a stop off nanny service. Have you investigated this?

At prep, for DD, my commute was 35/40 mins door to door in the morning. 25 mins to get home as going against the traffic. Then repeat later in the day. I never got out of the car though so not sure how you are getting to 1 hour with 3 x 10 minute journeys. Unless it’s stationary traffic. My journey was 12 miles, not 2.

However if dc are happy, I’d leave them. They might have friends they won’t want to leave.

How far in distance are you from school? We moved a few miles away from our children's school (likely 10min drive) but kept them at the same school as they are happy there. We cycle or take the bus in order to avoid traffic and parking then whoever drops them off cycles/public transport on to work. Is there an alternative to driving that would make things easier?

I have the same set up except my eldest is in year 2. The days are long, really long for the kiddies, I do feel bad as we get home around 6 pm and by the time dinner is done and eaten we are past 8 pm, even the two year old sleeps late and has to wake up early still.

if I could change it and shorten their day a bit I would, the odd days I pick them up earlier I can just see the difference in them and the night goes much smoother.

for wrap around at the closer school, they may accept payment via your tax free account (if you are eligible).