Tracker for child - School trip

[StarStripeMama]

Hello my 4 year old is going on their first school trip next week and it’s giving me major anxiety. I know they will be totally fine but it’s an hour away and an all day trip. Can anyone recommend a gps tracker that I can see on my phone, a watch or something for her shoe? I don’t want to sound crazy but it would make me feel better. It won’t be for school but just any school trips? Thanks :-)

Honestly if you're that anxious then seek help for your anxiety. Sending your child with a GPS tracker is not normal healthy behaviour.

Reception age children are closely monitored on school trips. They will have a designated adult in a group of max 6, and the adult will obsessively count heads all day.

It is important for your own MH you let your child go freely without tracking. It is part of letting them grow up.

I doubt a tracker will ease your anxiety OP. You will be absolutely glued to it for the entire day and you will be second guessing everything. Why has she stopped near a hospital? Why has the coach stopped? She looks really close to that main road, etc etc.
I agree with the pp to get some help with your anxiety as your reaction to this is disproportionate.

I get how you feel but I think you need to work on your anxiety and not send her with a tracker. They will be split into smaller groups (usually 4or 5) and with a designated adult. The school will be fully responsible and do this sort of thing all the time.

I have massive issues around anxiety with my kids but working on it and letting them become independent and mature without being overbearing is a key part of working through it. I only use a tracker in crowded situation (F1 event is the only real situation I have) or when we are camping to allow my 7 year old greater freedom to make friends (more so we can beep him back to us when we need him than track him). I've never used it for a school trip or beavers trip.

I sent mine on a scout hiking trip with an Apple air tag in their bag. Just meant I could check in every now and then, as well as make sure they got to camp. that was because they weren’t with adults though.
unless there’s a back story like abusive other parent, or flight risk, I would trust the school to do their job.
You could always volunteer to help, that way you see how it’s run and feel more comfortable next time.

if you do go airtag remember it will notify any iPhones near by.

Don't do it - that way madness lies. Like a pp says you will be glued to it and second guessing every move your child makes.

If you are anxious don't volunteer to help it isn't fair on your DC or the others.

I used to teach and I would refuse to lead the trip if I parent did this. Absolutely ridiculous and when do you think this will end OP? Y1, Y5, Y11, when they get married?

No don't do it. You're feeding your own anxiety and giving that to your child. You might think you won't by hiding the tracker but you will

Absolutely and she's effectively tracking the whole class and the staff too. Awful!

These trackers are dangerous if this is the sort of stuff they're being used for.

What do you think is going to happen? I would talk to the teacher about your concerns and get reassurance about ratios etc. In secondary we have to be 1:10, I imagine it is an even smaller number for 4 year olds. If you are really worried she might wander off put a piece of paper with your phone number on in her pocket?

I don't think it matters if it makes you feel better, it's not about you. Your child is going on a trip with her friends and will be looked after by the staff. She will have a lovely experience.

It's not ok for you to track her. She's doing a completely normal thing. You have said yourself that you know she will be fine.

That's quite extreme as well. Secondary age kids all carry mobile phones and their parents can track where they are at any time for most of them.

I'm a primary school teacher. Please don't do this OP. Trips are thoroughly risk assessed. Have a word with her teacher if you need some reassurance. As a teacher, I would much rather a parent did this than use a tracker.

Would you tell the teachers she was being tracked?

I can't imagine even considering this - it's so dystopian.

The child will be supervised. You absolutely do not need a tracker, OP. Maybe get some help and support for yourself, so that your child doesn't grow up feeling suffocated.

Don't think you need to, but easy enough to put an airtag in her coat pocket/lining.

I wonder of schools have a policy on this as effectively you are then also tracking the rest of the group too which might be considered 'stalking'.
Would you end up with children being scanned before they go out to ensure that they are not tagged?

Then child leaves coat on coach which pops off for 4 hours before returning ....

I see where you're coming from OP. Get an air tag for peace of mind. 4 is so very young.

I don't even understand how it would make you feel better. It won't tell you how close she is to the supervising adult, it won't alert you that she got left in the toilets accidentally for a couple of minutes. I don't understand what it will tell you. You either trust the teachers or you don't. If you don't then address this now!

Don't be silly.

Your child will be with professionals who will likely have done this trip countless times and will know exactly what they are doing as well as being first aid and safeguarding trained. Please give those professionals the respect they deserve and don’t do this!

This is really disgusting. A tracker? Are you serious OP? You need help.