AIBU to think that school should have made sure the children had access to water on a school trip?

[louloulouise]

They left at 9.30am, back at 3.30pm. DD sent with packed lunch with drink of juice but not the usual water bottle as the school sent letters saying all packed lunch should be disposable so they we're carrying lunchbox round etc. Last time she took a water bottle on a trip she was told to leave it at school and the teachers/helpers would ensure the kids got water when needed (which they did).

So we do the same today. However, when DH went to pick DD up from school he is told by DD on the way home that she had asked for water several times through the day for water but told she couldn't have any. Only 1 other child took a water bottle, all the other children were in the same situation, only had their lunch drink all day.

They were outside at a zoo and it has been very warm today. DD was quiet and lethargic when she got home and drank loads when she got in.

AIBU to think this this is totally wrong? DH was steaming when he got home but didn't want to ring school in case he was too ott about it. I really think some provision should have been made for allowing children to hydrate themselves on a hot day, I personally don't think their lunch drink was enough, they should have had access to water (not necessarily all day/whenever they wanted but perhaps a water break in the morning and in the afternoon).

I don't know how to approach it will school, if at all. Any ideas??

[Goblinchild]

When we go on trips, they take a disposable water bottle as well.

[mumbar]

personally I don't think YABU to expect a child to be kept hydrated.

[louloulouise]

We deffo will do this in future (much as I hate the waste of throwing a perfectly good bottle away), but as provisions had been made previously we didn't think this was necessary.

[Danthe4th]

I always send a small water bottle to be kept in a back pack but I would also expect the teachers to have offered water every hour on a hot day. Did they have an ice lolly?

[verytellytubby]

I went on a school trip this week as a parent helper and all the kids had their lunches in a rucksack on their back with plenty of water. They were told to bring water and suncream.

I took extra to give to children that had run out. We also stopped at water fountains when we could and filled up their bottles.

On such a muggy week, I'd have sent a water bottle with my DC and not worried about it being thrown away. Ours didn't and kept their bottles in their rucksacks. It was only their lunch wrappers that were chucked.

[louloulouise]

They weren't allowed to take a backpack - just their lunches and a rain jacket. They also promised to buy them a lolly in the letters they sent as the kids could take a max of £3 with them which was to cover a lolly and a gift from the shop (the teachers were going to get them all the same gift to minimise time in the shop). She came home with stuff from the gift shop but says no-one got a lolly!

[louloulouise]

She is 6 yo/Y1 btw

[mumbar]

my ds 5 also yr 1 has the disposible bag rule too. I just put 2/3 cartons /bottles in and then at least I know at lunchtime he is drinking lots if he doesn't get access to it throughout the day.

[louloulouise]

I just can't believe she asked one of the TA's a few times and she said no! DD is not a big drinker so when she asks for water you know she is gasping.

How should I approach this with school, I want to mention it without causing too much of a fuss, but want them to know they should not be treating the children like this!

[BubbaAndBump]

YANBU - in this heat in particular.

Irresponsible of teachers and TAs (I'm a teacher, so not having a go for the fun of it).

I would approach it by saying I'm sure there was some misunderstanding, but X happened last time we provided a water bottle for a trip and so assumed the same again this time (please clarify school's policy), and your DD was told no when asking for water today, clearly not a sensible answer for this time of year in particular.

[Feenie]

Very strange. My class went on a Y5 Tudor trip this week and I asked parents to send a few drinks.

[hmc]

School messed up didn't they! I'd be cross too.

To avoid the daft scenario where a perfectly good drinks bottle intended for regular re-use is thrown away by school, you could just keep an ordinary empty bottle of mineral water with a sports top for use on future occasions - you know the small bottles of water that you can buy for 50p or similar; retain one of those.

[pigletmania]

YA so not being U, I am at this, water is a basic human right and sound be freely accessed which was not happening in this case. I would complain to the headteacher about this, it was 24oc today so hardly cold and very humid, i kept drinking water and juice and made sure my dd was too.

[hopalongdagger]

The school were definitely in the wrong. You should make a point of saying something to the teacher. I imagine it was just something that was overlooked, but if enough parents mention it, it should not happen again.

The TA probably just didn't know what to do or where to get water, so just said no. But the teacher should definitely have realised their mistake and asked for some tap water from the cafe or whatever. Poor kids must have been gasping.