Getting kids to different schools in a morning!!

Zziggi

I probably already know the answer to this one - but I'll ask anyway to see if anyone can come up with something different...

Can we get any help with transport kids to school?

DS is at primary school, named "B". It's not the catchment area (in case this makes a difference), it's the 2nd nearest school, named "A" but chosen because the school is quieter & smaller (DS has suspected ASD and can't stand the noise and busy-ness of bigger places, also has minor mobility probs). DD goes to a nursery attached to a local school named "C" (also not the catchement area school). It is the only place with 3 year old funding available. She's got minor health probs as well (if this is relevant) What we have been doing is all going in the car - dropping DS off at school at 8.45 then zipping across town to DDs nursery for 8.50 which we're always late for.
However circumstances have changed and Dad can't take kids to school anymore (health got much worse). I can't drive (medically unfit to drive) so i have to take kids to school by bus. So what i am doing is getting the bus a 7.55am with the 2 kids. Dropping DS off at his school on time (just). I then have to ring for a taxi to take us from school "B" to school "C". We're always late but it is too far to walk (and i have a minor mobility prob) and no bus routes between the 2 school at all.

There's no relatives who can help, there's no parents of other kids that can help. DD finishes nursery at lunchtime and DS finishes school mid-afternoon so there is no issue here. It is just the mad rush in a morning!!! Also it is costing me £1 bus fare (DD free, DS free pass due to disability) and £5 in taxi PER DAY. £6 in total per day is getting REALLY expensive just to get them to school in a morning.

I imagine that answer is "tough, that's personal circumstances" as DD is in non-compulsory schooling but i thought i would ask you good people in case you think it is worth asking the LEA/council or someone for help - especially as DS is in compulsory schooling and he does have recognised disabilities (inluding some mobility).

Any ideas please?

specialK

You should ring your local LEA, I know in my area there are taxi drivers who have the school run jobs.

It might be a case of - if you don't ask, you don't get?

I would definately phone the LEA.

Hope it all works out for you.

Bean_Counter

My son is autistic and goes to a special needs school out of town, although not the closest one available.

The authorities provide him with a taxi there and back (with an escort), which just about gives my wife time to take daughter to primary school.

Not sure what your exact mobility circumstances are, but I would have thought there is no harm in asking the council / school / mobility charities in the area / anyone whether you are entitled or not.

ruthyjo

Does your DS have a statement naming the school he is at? I'm fairly sure that this would entitle you to transport for him providing you also meet a distance criterion.

If his transport was taken care of I presume it would be easier for you to get DD to nursery although your whole routine still sounds quite tough - porr you.

I would second the fact that you need to contact your lea asap - you can't end up any worse off.

If you get nowhere maybe try and find out if there is somewhere else more convenient you could spend your DD's nursery vouchers, perhaps a playgroup or private day nursery near your home or DS's school? Moving her would be a big decision though and only you can know whether the upheaval would be worth it.

The only other thing I can come up with is it's not forever - DD will soon be at school too!

silvercar

You need to find a Mum going to school B in the mornings who would take your child for you (whether by bus or car); in return you could collect their child. That way you only have to worry about getting one child to nursery in the morning.

snowmaid

Unfortunately I don't have any advice better than what is already offered on here.

I hope this doesn't sound patronising, but I really do admire moms like you who have so much to cope with. It makes me feel embarrassed that I moan at having to fetch my child from aftercare etc.

I don't know where you live but I would try assist if I could. I live next to Romford?

I hope you get this sorted quickly and someone is able to assist you.

jamgirl

I suspect that unless you have a statement for your son, and the LEA have agreed that the school you have chosen to send him to is the best one to meet his needs then they won't help with transport costs. however this wouldn't stop me from asking. you never know!

have you asked your sons school if they can take your daughter in the nursery. i know most schools in this area would automatically take her if a sibling is already in the school (sorry if this sounds obvious and you have already checked)

Penny-Pincher!!

Hi

It may be worth checking with your LEA about whether they have a Taxicab charity base in your local area. We have a link here where I can use any surrounding local boroughs including my own and the maximum charge I pay is £1.50 for upto a £16 taxicab ride. This can be used 24/7 and the LEA contribute a generous amount to it each year-I just pay the £1.50. I havent used it though yet:D

Also, as you are not medically unfit to drive, would you not be entitled to free public transport? There is a form your GP signs and this would entitle you to free travel.

If there are suitable schools (in LEA's oppinion) in your catchment area for your children I dont think your LEA will help out financially with travel costs.

How near is your local school?

PP
xx

bestpud

Hiya

I was wondering if you have any voluntary organisations in your area that help with yours, or your childrens' health problems?

They may be able to suggest something, or even help out with a grant or something like that? A lot of these organisations have transport, or know what else is around.

Second thought was perhaps asking the taxi company if they will count you as a regular customer and let you have a reduced rate? It may not be a lot but it all helps. Or perhaps try a different firm and say what you need when you ring. Lots of them do reduced rates for the older people who use them regularly so I can't se why they wouldn't in your circumstances too.

Third thought was other parents. I know you say there is no one else but i wonder if you've asked the school if they know of anyone - perhaps with a child in a different year? I'm assuming you've checked that the school won't take your son just a little earlier - even ten mins would help I guess? A teacher is on playground duty from ten minutes before the bell goes at dd's school and so they can be left in her care.

Other than that - I really don't know but hope you can sort something out,

best wishes

Bestpud

Nicki

I have an ASD child at a special school 5 mins walk from home and another child with no disabilities at a mainstream school 10 mins walk in the other direction. I too don't drive for medical reasons.

Our LEA provides transport for my daughter. Bus picks her up from home before 8.45 am leaving me enough time to walk my son to school. It drops her off at an agreed point near his school in the afternoons as I couldn't get home from his school quickly enough to meet her.

I would ask LEA if you can have transport for your son, particularly if he has a statement, and if necessary make the same kind of convoluted arrangements re pick up and drop off as I have to fit your schedule.

If this is not possible, could you see whether this is anyone who lives near your daughter's nursery who takes a child to your son's school, or someone who lives near your son's school who takes a child to your daughter's nursery, and see if you can arrange for them to take your child too. You then only have to do one leg of the journey, though one child will get to school a bit early, and you'll have to wait with them until school starts.

Failing this, contact your local parents support groups or Carers Centre to see what financial help if any can be offered, or if there are volunteer drivers who will help (in the same way that some people volunteer to drive the elderly around).

Idea about asking taxi firms for a preferential rate for regular run is also a good one. In my area the taxi card scheme is limited to subsidising a certain, fairly small, number of trips per year, but clearly something is better than nothing. You could arrange for the taxi to be waiting for you at son's school every day at 8.45, rather than phoning one every day when you get there which should shave some time off your journey.

Will your daughter start in reception at your son's school in September or are you planning on keeping her where she is?

3plus1

I used to work in the school transport section of a local council up in Scotland. I don't know what the rules are like in England, but...

Children living over X miles away from their catchment school, got free school transport, in the form of a bus, usually. Children with special needs got a taxi to themselves, automatically. To be shared with siblings, but no non-family members. I'm not entirely certain if special needs children had to go to their catchment school - I have a hunch that they didn't.

If your kids have recognised special needs (suspectd probably won't cut it), I would imagine you're entitled to help. I think the fact that they have special needs overrides the catchment issue.

Give your local council a phone call - they should be able to advise. I really hope you are entitled, as it sounds as if you deserve the extra help!!