Moving to Sussex commuter land - schools

[RoadToSussex]

We are thinking of moving to Haywards Heath or somewhere similar, attracted by the fact that we can get much more for our money than in suburban North London. Plus a different lifestyle...

What is the situation like for primary and secondary schools in Haywards Heath, Lindfield and the other surrounding villages? Our budget is good, so moving into a particular catchment should not be a problem - the only thing we can't do is attend church for school entry purposes!

What are the independent options like? One DS, 3 years old.

Are there local shops in villages or is it all about driving into town?
Also, what sort of activities do families do at the weekends?
Is it easy to get into the countryside or quite restricted?
Are there plenty of childminders/nannies or are they like hens' teeth?!
Are there places where traffic and getting around is a nightmare for some reason?

Apologies for being a 'moving to Haywards Heath cliche', but any of this would be hugely helpful! :)

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I live south of Haywards Heath so not in it and haven't experienced schools etc first hand. However I had heard there was at least one bad school, but not aware that there is a problem getting into another school in a different catchment area. Independents, Ardingly and Great Walstead for example are well rated.

Traffic in Haywards Heath can be slow during rush hour. My commute would be twice as long if I started at 9 than my late shifts at 10 for example, but it's bearable. You just take the wait into account.

Can't answer re childminders in HH.

What do you mean by "Shops"? Food/Clothes or otherwise? Most of the villages have a good little supermarket in them, but HH would be where to go for your weekly food shop. It's also sufficient for other bits and pieces, else Crawley is only minutes up the road.

The countryside is there on your doorstep! Just find the footpaths. 2 fab National trust places in Ardingly and Handcross, again just up the road.

Weekends? What do you like to do? Cinemas and leisure centres can be found in HH and Burgess Hill. HH also has a great water play area in Victoria Park which is very popular in the summer for families at the weekend. Toddler play sessions such as Tumble Tots, still take place at the weekend if thats your kind of thing. Same at the leisure centres. Brighton is also less than half hour away for a nice day out

Hope that helps a bit?

We recently moved from London to a village 10 mins south of HH. Absolutely love it here. We have essentials in the village - post office, newsagent, chemist, deli etc so we don't need the car on a daily basis. There is a small supermarket in the next village (5 mins drive) which sells quality local produce, and we get a veg box and milk delivered, plus a weekly Ocado delivery. Burgess Hill is five mins drive away and quite useful for other stuff, and I drive up to HH or Brighton if I want clothes shops etc. We have three very good eateries in the village for eating out.

Plenty of toddler activities in this village and the next, no problem finding babysitters. Haven't tried to find childminders or nannies but I have heard they are hard to find. Harder than London anyway. Excellent preschool in the village with no waiting list, though it only does half days. Excellent primary.

Secondaries; there is a good state secondary in the next village or we will be considering Hurstpierpoint College or Brighton College (very good idependents) for ds when the time comes.

Weekends; walks in the country - the village is at the foot of the downs so the countryside is practically outside our front door even though we are right in the village. Trips to Brighton or Lewes. Much bigger garden than in London so that also keeps us busy.

Can you tell I love it here?! Trying to think of negatives; there can be traffic foul-ups through the village during rush hour. But that's about it.

mine are at Hurst, great school :)