Starting school with Small Steps

In this section:

Your child is about to start school - a new and exciting chapter in your lives.

They will be entering a time full of discovery, new experiences and learning to be independent.

Although it’s exciting, the unknown can be daunting.

Walking to school - our ‘Small Steps’ approach - has many benefits and can help you to make this change a happier and less stressful experience.

Parents and carers who walk to school with their children often see this as some of the most precious time they have with them. It’s an opportunity to spend quality time, without the distraction of driving, when they are most willing to open up to you. This is the time when you discover how their day has been: what they have learned, how they have felt, and whether they have any concerns.

It can also be great fun, with activities along the way and time to discover the world around them - especially changes through the seasons. Select these links for some activities that you could try:

Our activity sheets

Other resources

Children who walk to school often meet or make friends on the way and parents and carers who walk to school with their children often find they build a support network too.

Children that walk to school:

  • settle more quickly
  • are ready to learn
  • concentrate better

Getting out of the house in the morning can sometimes be stressful, so the walk to school is an opportunity to spend calm and relaxing time together. 

Another important advantage of walking is the chance for your child to learn the importance of road safety, under your safe guidance. The earlier they do this, the better their understanding as they get older and begin to travel independently.

You can find useful guides on road safety for parents at www.rospa.com and  www.think.gov.uk .

We all lead very busy lives these days and a walk to school might seem impossible. However, it can prove to be a lot faster than people think. Congestion and limited parking close to schools can make walking just as quick. With a scooter or bike, these journeys could be even faster.

If you are coming a long way, there are other options:

  • Park and Stride - Park a small distance from school and walk the rest.
  • Walking Bus - These are supervised by parents trained specifically to ensure that children are accompanied safely to school after being dropped off at a designated place. Contact your school office for details about this and their school travel plan.

That extra little bit of time it takes to leave the car and walk will be worth it. Try taking Small Steps and enjoy this new chapter in your child’s life together.