to ask what you would think of a nearly-blind helper assigned to look after DCs on a school trip?

[skrullandcrossbones]

A parent-helper. Looking after her DC but also with one or two others assigned to her. Do you think the school should allow this? Or warn you about it before the trip?

Not trying to court controversy, just get opinions.

would be fine

I think if she is able to look after her own children she will be fine with somebody elses do you think she may lose the children , I have Mobility problems so not the same but i helped on school trips people manage , and tbh the children will probably look out for the woman and feel they are 'helping'

You've forgotten their ages.

Reception = Possibly not so good as they still tend to bolt

Juniors = No problem

Good point worra. Reception and nursery (ages 4 - 5).

no problem, she is an adult. Please dont be afraid of disability.

I think in this world full of risk assessments there is no cause to worry.

Depends on what you mean by 'nearly blind', one of my managers is classed as blind but has some tunnel vision in one of her eyes, she works on a computer, gets herself around, puts make up on and could supervise older children.

wow country mouse amazing statement

Yes, similar to your manager, I think, birds.

That is quite young then.

When you say 'nearly blind', what exactly do you mean?

Where is the trip to?

Arey for example going to be sitting in a theater or walking around the zoo?

Really? No-one would have any problem with it?

It depends how the grouping is organised. I work in a pre-school and when we go on trips we have a 1 adult to 2 child ratio but go around in groups with 1 member of staff with 1 or 2 parents and 4 or 6 children. If it is done like that then it should be fine.

Walking round a farm/country house type thing - coach trip there.

Surely if she is an experienced adult with children of her own, she will have thought of a way of making sure that these children cannot bolt without her noticing?

there will be teachers there though the mum will be with other adults parent helpers don't often wander on their own with charges , please trust this mum she wouldn't have offered to go if she didn't think she could manage

I'm sure the school will have considered that she's going to need some support...they'll not stick her with 5 kids and leae her to it!

I'd be fine with it as long as it was a similar set up to what OddBoots describes...and it nearly always is nowadays anyway.

When I first helped out on school trips 16yrs ago, parent helpers were given 8 children to take care of and simply told where to meet for lunch....not a trip went by were a child didn't wander off and everyone went searching for them.

Nowadays it's exactly as OddBoots describes so I'd be fine with it.

oh i remember the high ratios worra when i worked in a preschool in the 80s we had had 6 to 1 wouldnt be allowed these days ,

No problem at all.
Seriously
She is an experienced parent.
She will be well aware of any limitations and will have developed strategies to deal with these.
Perhaps those that are concerned should think what they are worried about specifically.
Iyswim

Thanks for the replies. I didn't mean this to be a reverse-AIBU just for the sake of it - I wanted to canvas genuine thoughts.

I am actually the potential parent-helper, but am a bit nervous of what other parents would think. Many of them don't actually know of my eyesight-condition, and I worry they would be annoyed if they found out - but also, I don't particularly want to have an in-depth discussion in the playground.

So far, I haven't volunteered (i have younger children so not generally free to volunteer anyway) but would like to in the future.

Are you volunteering for a spot of childcare?

ooh naughty skrull No i dont think many will be annoyed do it when you are confident enough ,

I know you haven't volunteered but have you spoken to the staff about it and are they ok with it?

If you were capable of taking care of the children, I would have no problem with you being a parent-helper. It wouldn't be a disability issue, it would be a responsible parent issue.

Mrsjay Sat 02-Jun-12 11:24:03
"oh i remember the high ratios worra when i worked in a preschool in the 80s we had had 6 to 1 wouldnt be allowed these days ,"

Still seems to be ok on the Continent. When I travel on public transport in Sweden I often see what appears to be whole nurseries supervised by 2 or 3 staff. Doesn't seem to worry anyone.