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School Travel

CupcakeSweety View Member Profile	07/01/2013, 11:31 AM Post #1
Posts: 25 Joined: 17-December 11
New Member
I know people are going to tell me to stop being a precious wrapping child in bubble-wrap parent or pay-up but I will ask anyway. My 7 year old DD is about to start year 3 and is no longer eligible for free school transport. We only just miss out on being far enough away from school to qualify. She now has to walk up to 2.3km to school or pay to go on the bus. Do you think this is a reasonable distance for a child this age to be expected to walk alone? I am not at all against children walking to school but this seems like a long way.

twinboys View Member Profile	07/01/2013, 11:33 AM Post #2
Posts: 2,595 Joined: 28-March 07
Advanced Member
Why not do some test walks with a backpack/school bag on her and see how long it takes and what roads have to be crossed and how/where they should be crossed? Maybe she can walk to school and bus it home?

bibs View Member Profile	07/01/2013, 11:34 AM Post #3
Posts: 3,564 Joined: 4-December 05
✈
Way, way too far to walk at this age.....never. This post has been edited by *bibs*: 07/01/2013, 12:40 PM

BadCat View Member Profile	07/01/2013, 11:36 AM Post #4
Posts: 13,856 Joined: 8-December 08
Shape-shifting Reptilian Overlord
I wouldn't let a 7yo walk that far alone. I know people who would be fine with it though.

Beancat View Member Profile	07/01/2013, 11:40 AM Post #5
Posts: 924 Joined: 27-April 11
Regular Member
Can she ride a bike to school? I used to ride about that far from grade 3. i guess it depends what the roads are like where you live. Also, it might be a bit far to walk/ride in summer and the middle of winter. Can you not drive her?

mum850 View Member Profile	07/01/2013, 11:40 AM Post #6
Posts: 2,093 Joined: 30-August 08 From: Melbourne
Advanced Member
I would try the walk to school and bus it home option to start with anyway.

fillesetjumeaux View Member Profile	07/01/2013, 11:40 AM Post #7
Posts: 12,473 Joined: 25-March 03
Skoomeez?
My DD2 is about to go into year 3, and while she qualifies for free travel (school is exactly 3km away), she will be walking some mornings. The route is reasonably suburban, only two main roads to cross, and they're only a lane each way with a crossing (one manned, one not). DD1 (just finished year 4) and her friend started walking it in 2012, and they do it in half an hour. We recently walked 2/3 of the route and back home again (so 4km instead of 3km) and DD2 did it without a problem. Of course, she will be walking it with at least 2 other (older) girls, if not up to 9 or 10 children altogether. I would not be happy for her to do it alone at this point.

TillyTake2 View Member Profile	07/01/2013, 11:49 AM Post #8
Posts: 699 Joined: 29-October 12
Regular Member
How far can you be away from school before you aren't eligible (in nsw?) How much does the bus cost?

Autumnal View Member Profile	07/01/2013, 11:50 AM Post #9
Posts: 1,004 Joined: 12-April 06
Advanced Member
Never! Their are way too many crazies out there.

Malaya View Member Profile	07/01/2013, 11:50 AM Post #10
Posts: 1,501 Joined: 18-November 11
Advanced Member
Can you drop her to school instead? Ride bikes? Eta - I think it's too far to walk on her own. With you carrying a back pack, maybe ok, bus it in the rain and extreme heat. This post has been edited by Malaya: 07/01/2013, 11:52 AM

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