From the article: Should You Let Caregivers Transport Your Kids?
Day care centers often entice parents and their young children with exciting field trips, outings to the park, and even weekly visits to the local library for story hour. During breaks from the school year, the quantity of field trips offered increases, in part, to keep enrollment and program satisfcation high. Usually, the activities are a lot of fun and are safe overall. But is letting your child attend field trips really a good idea? Each year, there are news reports of youngsters getting separated from the group, left behind, or worst of all, being left in a hot vehicle--often with tragic results. Share Your Thoughts
Know where they're going!
- I know a woman that runs an in home day care and will take the day care children to go to the bank, pick up her own kids from school or do whatever else she needs to get done that day. Granted they do occasionally go to story time, she is not truthful with the parents about their "outings."
- —Guest dudewhere'smybaby
1:1 ratio
- I totally disagree with the 1:1 ratio. I am a mother of 7 and I'm used to "growing eyes and arms" when we go somewhere. It's an instinct you can develop. I also have older children in my daycare in the summer so that is a perfect time for field trips. The older ones can each buddy up with a younger one, kind of like the Dugger family! :) Also, a couple of my moms have offered to help chaperone every once in a while. But most of my parents are pretty confident in me since I already have so many of my own. But also speaking as a mom, I would be very careful about who I let my child go with. I am super-protective even with my oldest. I want phone numbers, license plate numbers, adult names and credentials, time and place!! Just be careful!
- —Guest Stephanie
No field trips before school age
- Daycare age children are too young to go on field trips in urban areas, unless the adult to child ratio is 1 to 1.
- —Guest Sherry
Field Trips are Fun!
- As a daycare provider in my home; I take the children on field trips every week. Each child has their own car seat. We have so much fun together - even if it is just to the store to get a treat
- —Guest Chelle
Ask First
- Parents should definitely ask the teachers to provide all the information before enrolling their children to such programs.
- —Guest Salina
