Need advice re: preschool field trips

Juni · Guru

Need advice re: preschool field trips

Robin · Guru

I think it's bizarre that a 3-year-old class would take a field trip--especially one that involves transporting children.

When Henry was in preschool, they had two "field trips" that involved walking across the parking lot to the park next door to the church.

There are too many liability issues with that age/carseats, etc.

-- Edited by Robin on Tuesday 1st of February 2011 01:05:02 PM

CoffeeQueen · Guru

Not normal for 3 year old children to be transported by parents for a school event. Did you sign a crap load of release forms to allow this?

Dddiii · Guru

Robin wrote:

I think it's bizarre that a 3-year-old class would take a field trip--especially one that involves transporting children.

When Henry was in preschool, they had two "field trips" that involved walking across the parking lot to the park next door to the church.

There are too many liability issues with that age/carseats, etc.

-- Edited by Robin on Tuesday 1st of February 2011 01:05:02 PM

I completely agree!!

I would never trust that someone else would take as much care putting the carseat in for my child as I would.

They always did bussed field trips at our preschool. I have NEVER heard of parents being /askedexpected to drive probably because, as Robin said, there would be too many liability issues.

Do they have staff on site that day for kids that won't be going?

Supafly · Guru

I agree with Robin-I think there is definitely a liability issue with having other people install carseats and drive preschoolers to a field trip.

Kate has 2 field trips this year. The first is a school wide, and we had that in the fall as we do every year. It is to the Pumpkin Patch, and everyone has to drive themselves, and it has to be one adult per child attending. Some people carpool together, of course, but transportation is not provided. The second is coming up this spring, and it is to the library, which is behind the church where they go to preschool. They walk, and have a group of parent helpers that go too. That is it. No one every drives another person's child unless they have a carpool arrangement with the other parents.

I would not be ok with it. I mean, i would hate for him to have to miss out on the field trips, and it isn't even that I wouldn't trust someone else to drive, but installing a car seat properly can be tricky, especially if it is one they are not familiar with.

Kate is fine with a seatbelt booster now, but I still prefer for her to only go with people I know. My parents drive them places, and we carpool to ballet class with a friend of hers, but that is it.

IDK-I wouldn't feel right about it.

Sonya · Guru

this would never happen at our daycare.

our kids do tons of field trips but always on the bus.

never ever ever in cars.

I would not be ok either.

Erin · Guru

Our school does tons of field trips during the summer.The rule is that kids under 4 have to be driven - ie, parents drive their own kids, or make arrangements with other parents (ie, my friend and I would switch off taking each other's kids, not just any parents). or else they stay at the school - no biggie, lots of 3 and under kids dont go. The 4 and 5 year olds get to ride the bus.

I would be uncomfortable too, I also know what a PITA it is to take car seats in and out. I wouldnt trust my parents or other parents to know my seat and to do it right, let alone while in a hurry to get going.

-- Edited by Erin on Tuesday 1st of February 2011 01:18:27 PM

Juni · Guru

Nice to know I'm not crazy. Now I need to figure out what the options are and what I'm going to do. I can't wait for next year when he is in another class. He will be with the teacher Gavin had and I LOVE her. Not so happy with his teacher this year.

Juanita · Guru

Robin wrote:

I think it's bizarre that a 3-year-old class would take a field trip--especially one that involves transporting children.

When Henry was in preschool, they had two "field trips" that involved walking across the parking lot to the park next door to the church.

There are too many liability issues with that age/carseats, etc.

-- Edited by Robin on Tuesday 1st of February 2011 01:05:02 PM

I totally agree!

That's the same kind of field trip SG had

I wouldn't be okay with it either

Alicia · Senior Member

I wouldn't let him go. I install her seat even if she was in someone else's car and still buckle her in(she can't do it which I'm fine with). Raven went on field trips as a 3 year old but it was with the school system on their buses(w/seat beats). They also do walking field trips.

Michele · Senior Member

My girls pre-school does not do field trips off the school grounds in the 3 or 4 year old class. They might walk across the road to the lake for a nature hike and even that is a big deal for some of the parents to handle if you know what I mean, LOL!.

Juni, I think that is very risky of the school to take on that liability and you are not out of line at all to question them on this. I would do the same.

apies · Guru

juni, no way would i let a parent i DON'T know install one of my kids' carseats and drive them somewhere.

honestly, this is so huge to me, that i would question keeping my kids at a school that would allow such a policy.

daisy · Guru

apies wrote:

juni, no way would i let a parent i DON'T know install one of my kids' carseats and drive them somewhere.

honestly, this is so huge to me, that i would question keeping my kids at a school that would allow such a policy.

im' with you - i would never ever in a gazillion years be OK with this. i'd keep him home all of these thursdays if there isnt staff available at school - the other parents are ok with this?

happylib · Guru

I agree with everyone else. At Elizabeth's preschool the only field trips they take are walking field trips. They did go to a grocery store and park this year, but they could walk there. They did have parents that volunteered to go along, but no one drove.

I think I might speak to other parents and find out what how they feel. I might even consider talking to the director.

CoffeeQueen · Guru

Juni, here it is illegal to transport children in cars without a huge waiver. Did you sign anything in regards to this?

Juni · Guru

We never had this issue before. With gavin they did one field trip and used a van if they didn't go with their parents. I need to get more info because we did not have this problem last year.

supergrover · Guru

Our preK does 1-2 big field trips a year that require transportation. They rent a school bus and there is a student-teacher or parent volunteer per student.

In someones personal vehicle, I would need to decline. That isn't ok, and frankly, what a liability nightmare.

Erin · Guru

Juni, I would just say nicely but confidently "Unfortunatly, I cannot attend, and I am not comfortable with them being transported by someone else. What alternatives will there be for kids that are not going on the field trip?" For our school, if a kid cant go, they just "bump" them to another class and honestly, that is as fun and exciting for the kids as the field trip sometimes!

Juni · Guru

That is what I don't get - why would she want to do this? What a hassle and a nightmare in regards to liability. I talked to the director (this is a small church daycare) who is also the teacher I love and while she agreed that she wouldn't be comfortable doing that she just said that is how Ms. Teacher does her field trips. There really isn't an option for him to go somewhere else during that time so either he won't go to school at all or he will come before or after. I just don't want him to feel like he is being punished/left out but I also don't want him to miss all that school. Ugh. I don't know what the other parents think - I don't know a single one of them. I'm assuming most of them are able to go so it is not a big issue. The only other thing is if I feel okay with him riding with the teacher but I'm not even sure about that!

Juni · Guru

Erin wrote:

Juni, I would just say nicely but confidently "Unfortunatly, I cannot attend, and I am not comfortable with them being transported by someone else. What alternatives will there be for kids that are not going on the field trip?" For our school, if a kid cant go, they just "bump" them to another class and honestly, that is as fun and exciting for the kids as the field trip sometimes!

I sort of asked the director about that but I need to talk to his teacher directly. If she taught during those days/times I know she would take him but she doesn't. I can't imagine that she does this every year and every parent is okay with this!