A Calmer School Morning in Cheam
Anyone who has done the Cheam school run knows the drill. Ewell Road backs up outside the schools by Nonsuch Park. Cheam Road crawls towards Sutton. Malden Road is solid by 8.20am. And every parent is trying to be in three places at once.
A regular school taxi takes one job off your list. We collect your child from home at the same time each day, drive them to the school gate, and do the same in reverse in the afternoon if you need it.
Lots of local families use us for one or two days a week, on the days when work or a younger sibling's nursery makes things impossible. Others book us for every school day. Both work fine.
How a Regular School Run Booking Works
Setting up a school run is simple, but we like to get the details right at the start.
- Call us or use the quote form to tell us the home address, the school, and the days and times you need.
- We give you a fixed fare per journey, which stays the same for the term unless the plan changes.
- We confirm the pickup times and the name of the driver for the first trip.
- You tell us about anything special, such as a child seat, a booster or a bag of sports kit.
If you need to pause a day for illness or an inset day, just let us know as early as you can. Changes in the timetable, like an early finish before half term, are easy to handle with a quick call.
Safety and Driver Checks
This is the part every parent cares about most, so here are the plain facts.
Every driver who works with us holds a private hire driver licence from Transport for London. To get that licence, drivers must pass an enhanced criminal record check, a medical, and a test of their knowledge of London's roads. TfL can suspend or remove a licence at any time.
We also try to keep things familiar for children. Where we can, we send the same driver for regular runs, so your child gets to know a friendly face. If that driver is off, we tell you who is coming instead.
Have more questions about our safeguarding? Ask us directly. We would rather you feel completely sure before the first journey. Licensed drivers interested in this work can read our PCO driver jobs page.
Child Seats and Boosters
The law on child seats in private hire cars is a bit different from the rules for family cars, and many parents prefer to be safe either way. Child seats and boosters are available on request.
Tell us your child's age, height and weight when you book, and we will fit the right seat before pickup. If your child has their own seat they are used to, you can also hand it to the driver. For older children, the standard seat belts in our cars are fine.
Schools We Often Drive To
We cover the main schools across Cheam, Sutton and the edges of Ewell and Worcester Park. These include secondary schools such as Nonsuch High School for Girls on Ewell Road, Cheam High School on Chatsworth Road and Sutton Grammar School on Manor Lane, along with many local primary schools around Cheam Common and Cheam Village.
If your child goes to school further away, in Wimbledon, Kingston or Epsom for example, that is fine too. Just give us the address.
School Streets and Drop-Off Rules
Several roads near schools in the London Borough of Sutton have timed School Street restrictions. During the morning and afternoon drop-off windows, only permitted vehicles can enter.
Our drivers respect these rules. They will drop your child at the nearest safe and legal point, usually a few steps from the restricted road, and make sure they are on the pavement before driving off. If there is a particular gate or meeting point you want us to use, tell us when you book.
Bigger Cars for Shared School Runs
Some families share the school run with neighbours or friends. It saves money and cuts the number of cars outside the school gate.
If you have four or more children travelling together, a larger vehicle makes sense. Our 6 seater taxi suits up to six passengers, and our 7 seater taxi handles bigger groups with room for school bags and musical instruments.
Luggage figures are a typical guide. Tell us your bag count when you book and we will match the car.
After School Clubs and Weekend Activities
The school run is not just 8am and 3.30pm. Children have swimming lessons, football training, music lessons and drama clubs, often across the area in places like Sutton, Carshalton and Wimbledon.
We can set up regular bookings for these too. Give us the address, the start and finish times, and we will be there. It is a big help for families where both parents work late.
Children with Additional Needs
Some children need a little more support on the way to school. They may find busy roads stressful, need a calm routine or need help with a mobility aid.
Please talk to us about this before you book. Tell us what helps your child feel safe and settled. We will be honest about what we can and cannot offer, and we will plan the journey around their needs as far as possible.
What Parents Ask Us First
The same questions come up again and again, and they are good ones. Who is the driver? What happens if they are running late? Will someone make sure my child goes through the gate?
We answer all of these before the first journey. If the driver is delayed, we call you straight away. On arrival, the driver waits until your child is safely on the pavement and heading into school.
Fixed Fares for the Whole Term
You get a fixed fare per journey when you book. It does not change if traffic on Cheam Road is bad one morning. That makes the school run easy to budget for.
We take card and cash. If you would like to talk about paying in a regular way, such as weekly or monthly, call the office and we will discuss what suits you.
Covering Cheam and the Roads Around It
Our base on London Road in North Cheam is close to most local schools. We also cover families in Sutton and Carshalton, plus other parts of the borough on our areas we cover page. Got a dog to walk after the drop-off? Our pet friendly taxi service can help with vet runs too.
Start Your School Run Booking
The easiest way to start is a quick call on 020 3642 6174. We can talk through the days, times and any special needs, and set up the bookings in one go. You can also get a quote with the form at the top of this page.
School Run Taxi FAQs
Are your school run drivers checked?
Yes. Every driver holds a TfL private hire driver licence, which requires an enhanced criminal record check, a medical and a knowledge test.
Can I have the same driver every day?
We try to send the same driver for regular runs. If they are unavailable, we tell you who is coming instead.
Do you provide child seats for the school run?
Yes, child seats and boosters are available on request. Tell us your child's age, height and weight.
Can I book just a few days a week?
Yes. You can book any days you need, from one day a week to every school day.
What happens on inset days or when my child is ill?
Call or message us as early as you can and we will cancel or move that journey.
Do you drive to schools outside Cheam?
Yes. We cover Sutton, Worcester Park, Ewell, Wimbledon, Kingston and further afield on request.
How do I pay for a regular school run?
We take card and cash. Call the office to talk about a regular payment arrangement.