to expect my DD's school to take them on their school trip safely?

[louloulouise]

I'm not sure what to do - they're going on a school trip soon presumably in a coach but not a thing has been mentioned about car seats?

What usually happens on these things? I've had to pay £8 for the priviledge of them taking DD on this trip and they've not mentioned anything about how they will be securing them safely in the coach.

This is reception btw so DD 5.5y

[clayre]

my ds 4yo went on a trip last week on a coach and they didnt use car seats they had to all put ont he seat belt, i think coach rules are different but am willing to be corrected.

[Coalman]

When I have helped on school trips the coaches have had seatbelts. Presumably the school will have done a risk assesment.

Have you asked the school?

£8 is reasonable for a school trip.

[lucysmum]

Our school now provide booster seats and use coaches with seat belts. Why not ask what arrangements are, you could always send in a booster seat.

[goblincandoa5k]

We take our reception children on trips in a coach with lap belts.

A car seat was only needed when a parent brought a younger sibling - she had to provide the seat though.

Easiest way to put your mind at rest is to have a word with the teacher. Can you go too - they can be great fun!

[VeraChuckandDave]

Will the coach have seatbelts?

Ds1's pre-school are going on a coach trip. We were told that the coach had seatbelts, and that parents could bring carseats or booster seats for their dcs provided they fitted them themselves (coach company not insured to do this, or something).

[Overmydeadbody]

Have you talked to the teacher to find out more information? If not, YABU.

AFAIK children don't need car seats on coaches, but they will be secured with seat belts as that is the law.

[Overmydeadbody]

Vera I think all coaches have to have seaty belts these days.

I tihnk you are being unreasonable to assume the school won't be taking them on a school trip safely.

[louloulouise]

Not sure whether the coach has seatbelts, I thought they all had to by law?

I also thought that coaches would come under the child restraint laws for car seats?

They will be going on the motorway so I'm getting a bit panicky about it - I just feel awkward asking! I will just suck it up and enquire on pick up run.

[VeraChuckandDave]

Do they really.

Thinking about it I last went on a coach 17 years ago!

[VeraChuckandDave]

Are you going on the trip too? If you didn't feel happy about it then you could just take your dd by car?

[Coalman]

Don't feel awkward - you won't be the only one asking.

Are you able to help out at all ?

[louloulouise]

Overmydeadbody - some people just seem to get so blase about car seats when children get to school age, I would have thought it would be something they would have mentioned in the trip info letter they sent home but it was more preoccupied with parents sending packed lunches in plastic bags and giving children travel sickness meds at home etc with no mention of travel safety.

[VeraChuckandDave]

Don't feel awkward asking though. At our pre-school all the parents who haven't done this before were asking about it.

[Mintyy]

My reception age children have never taken booster seats with them on school coach trips. The law is different wrt coaches. Of course they all have seat belts!

Be prepared for a few faces from the teachers when you ask about this.

[2rebecca]

Car seat for coach seems OTT. Most coaches have seat belts, not a legal requirement yet but most schools use them, may be requirement for schools/ buses with mainly children.
You sound as though you're looking for something to fuss about.

[louloulouise]

I'm in work 8-12 so I can't be there to see her off or go with her unfortuntely (and DS has just come down with chickenpox as well!).

This is first child at school and first ever trip so I'm a novice when it comes to anything like this I'm afraid

[louloulouise]

Not really 2rebecca just concerned for my child's safety, I didn't realise that was anything to be embarrassed/ashamed about and having never had a child in school before DD this is all completely new to me !

[fircone]

"I've had to pay £8 for the priviledge (sic) of them taking dd on this trip"

You sound rather belligerent, I must say. Take your £8 back and stay at home

[louloulouise]

Because as far as I was concerned I didn't think they were supposed to demand money for school trips? Or am I mistaken in that as well? Far from belligerent just a little suprised they demanded the money for the trip as they did.

[louloulouise]

I sure she will have a fab time, she's been counting down the days for ages now.

[fircone]

Now it's demanding the money.

[Coalman]

They can ask for contributions. If not enough people pay, then they can't afford to go. Where do you think they should get the money from?

[meemarsgotabrandnewbump]

They shouldn't have demanded £8. It should be asked for as a voluntary contribution, although they do usually state that the trip cannot go ahead without the contribution.

As for mentioning the seatbelts in the letter, I would not expect this. As mentioned before, travel safety would be covered in their risk assessment and not be seen as necessary to mention in the letter.

If you want to know the finer details it would be up to you to ask.