5 Essential Tips for Parents as Kids Return to School and Travel Independently
As children return to school after the holidays, many will travel independently; walking, biking, scootering, or taking public transport.
Whilst this can be both an exciting and nerve-wracking time, encouraging independence helps children to build confidence and life skills.
Here are five tips for parents to help ease the process and ensure peace of mind.
1) Establish a Safe Route
Before school starts, take some time to practice the route with your child. Take the safest roads and pathways and be sure to cross over roads by using pedestrian and courtesy crossings, or at controlled intersections with traffic lights. Make sure they know key landmarks so they can easily navigate their way to and from school, and where they can safely go to, to ask for help if needed.
2) Teach Stranger Safety
Have regular conversations about the importance of staying aware of their surroundings (people and vehicles), and how to respond to strangers if approached. Teach them about 'safe strangers' like other families with children their age, shop assistants, and others in your neighbourhood who they can approach if they feel unsafe.
3) Equip Them with Emergency Contacts
Ensure your child knows important phone numbers, including yours and any other emergency contacts. An Emergency Card or Tag is a perfect solution for this. It's durable and easily attached to the inside or outside of a school bag, providing them with essential details like emergency contacts and medical information if they need to give it to someone. In a stressful situation, children may struggle to remember phone numbers, so having them written down can provide reassurance and peace of mind.
4) Create a Check-In Routine
If your child has access to a mobile phone, set up a simple routine where your child checks in with you at certain points of their journey - like when they leave school to come home, reach a specific landmark, or arrive at school, this way, you know they're safe.
5) Empower Their Confidence
Independence is about building confidence. Encourage your child by supporting them to develop their own problem-solving skills. Remind them that they can handle situations by asking for help or using their Emergency Card or Tag if they need it.
Over time with your guidance, children can embrace the independence of navigating their own way to and from school while you have peace of mind.
An Emergency Card or Tag acts as an extra layer of safety, ensuring that in case of any unforeseen situation, your child has vital information accessible at all times, and you can be reached when needed.
Poll: Are Kiwis allergic to “exuberance”? 🥝
In The Post’s opinion piece on the developments set to open across Aotearoa in 2026, John Coop suggests that, as a nation, we’re “allergic to exuberance.”
We want to know: Are we really allergic to showing our excitement?
Is it time to lean into a more optimistic view of the place we call home? As big projects take shape and new opportunities emerge, perhaps it’s worth asking whether a little more confidence (and enthusiasm!) could do us some good.
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41.5% Yes
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33.7% Maybe?
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24.8% No
Scam Alert: Fake information regarding December Bonuses from MSD
The Ministry of Social Development is reporting that fake information is circulating about new ‘December bonuses’ or ‘benefit increases’
If you get suspicious communication, please contact Netsafe.
🌱✨ Now Enrolling for 2026 — Spaces Filling Fast!✨ 🌱
Looking for a nurturing, community-focused preschool where your child can grow, explore, and shine?
At Cotswold Preschool & Nursery, every child is embraced as a valued part of our Whānau. Our caring, experienced Kaiako create a supportive environment where Tamariki build confidence, independence, and a lifelong love of learning through play.
💛 Small, welcoming group sizes for personalised care
💛 Rich play-based learning that inspires creativity and curiosity
💛 Strong Whānau partnerships and community connections
💛 Passionate, dedicated Kaiako who truly know and understand your child
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37 Colesbury street - down the long driveway, just follow the river mural!
👉 Come visit us! Message us today office@cotswoldpreschool.co.nz or pop in anytime — we’d love to meet you, show you around, and chat about how we can support your child’s journey in 2026!
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