To be concerned about school using parent transport?

[HenriettaPootel]

DS1 has just started in Reception, so I don't know what's normal in schools, and I don't know if I'm coming over all PFB (I have form ). DS has got a trip in a couple of weeks, to a local library about five miles away, and they've asked the parents in the class to volunteer to transport the children. I know they use coaches for bigger/longer trips, but apparently they quite often use volunteer parents for local/small trips. Now, AIBU to be a bit concerned about this? The most obvious issue is that they're not CRB checked, but that isn't actually what concerns me most (it's a short duration, they won't be alone with one child, and I do know most of them - it's a small village school). I'm more worried about the fact that I'm relying on the safety of other parents' driving, there are no checks on their cars/insurance/licence etc, and I'm trusting them to fit car seats/disable air bags correctly. As I say, I do know the majority of them tolerably well, but a few are completely unknown to me. AIBU?

Hmmm I wouldn't be happy about this at all, would this normally even be allowed?

Any parents that volunteer at our school HAVE to be CRB checked.

As a teacher I'm not allowed to drive kids in my car because I haven't got business insurance. Might that be an issue here?

Apart from that surely there won't be enough car seats?

Volunteer yourself then? Problem solved!

Sounds a bit dodge to me

They can't do it on the schools say so due to insurance, they d need business class of use

It's ok if say you said to Bens mum "could you take oppfb with you please" but not if the school do it

As much as I believe they're not really worth the paper they're written on in these situations, I'm surprised they're not CRB checked?

I wouldn't be too pleased either OP, how are they going to get so many car seats?

I wouldn't let my DC's go in another parents car for something like this. I'd rather take a day off work and drive them myself.

Why can't they hire a mini-bus like most schools?

so, YANBU.

No I don't think I would be happy with that. Its one thing if I ask a parent to take dc in their car, but not for the school to arrange something like that.

Our primary is a small village school and do use parental transport from time to time but this is only for junior after school activities, when, in reality, it's not the school's responsibility to get the children to the activity and is more of a car share between parents. Any trips out during school hours are either by coach, minibus or even taxi.

At DS's school when they have asked parents to drive for trips we have had to bring in all our vehicle documentation eg licence/insurance.

Could you offer to drive, or ask whether your DS can travel with a specific friend, especially as it is early days in reception, and choose one where you know the parents.

You are probably being a tad PFB, but it is difficult when they first start school and you have to start entrusting them with other people. I confess I also have PFB moments

Are you sure they're not CRB checked?

The problem is that coaches/minibuses etc cost a fortune and many parents won't want to fork out £5 or £7 odd for a trip to the local library.

My DS's Junior school are now using buses and trains to cart a whole class of 30 kids into London and back for school trips because travel is free for kids here.

I'm surprised they are allowed to do this, for the reasons already mentioned - I can't see how it would work regarding car seats for a start, you are not being PFB, children are required to use the correct type of car seat until they are 12, or over 135cm tall here

Our school have done this and I wasn't comfortable with it - apart from anything else some of these are the same parents that I've seen speeding. I am a bit pfb about this and will happily own up to that - on the other hand Dh's only cousin was killed in a road accident by someone who was driving dangerously.
I talked about it to the teacher, and was fairly honest and upfront about my worries - recognising thwt I am probably a little irrational about it! They were lovely and said that seeing as I felt like that they would make sure dd was in one of the teacher's cars. Felt much better with thwt but I would also have been prepared to take a day off work to take her - I can see why schools do it to keep costs down and make trips easier can see both sides.

So, lack of CRB, lack of proper insurance and possible issue with car seats?

Def not being PFB.

When ever ds2 has been on a trip with school the coach hasn't had car seats, can't you go with them if your worried?

Our school do this all the time. Doesn't seem to be an issue with anyone here, but perhaps we're a bit feral ...

Personally I think you are over reacting. Talk to the school. I would be surprised if they hadn't already covered CRB, adequate insurance and car seats with the volunteers.

You are definitely not being PFB. I wouldn't allow this. Schools have to carry out a risk assesment for all trips. Doesn't sound as if it has been done properly in this case. Unless all parent volunteers are CRB checked, have shown that they have business insurance for their cars and adequate numbers of car seats, the it doesn't sound good enough. You could ask to see their risk assesment - that would put the wind up them!

I haven't let the dc's go in a car with another parent yet. There's no way I would allow it with a stranger. I wouldn't know if that parent was even a good driver, let alone hungover, on medication etc.

Much as I hate red tape, the whole CRB and insurance 'thing' is one I agree with... for official school trips. Coach with seatbelts, always, parent helpers CRB checked everytime.

I would be getting involved and sorting this out for sure.

Are you sure they're not CRB checked? While probably not technically required for occasional volunteering, schools often err on the side of caution.

Quick answer to questions: No, def not CRB checked (have asked parent of child in year above). Car seats - kids have to bring their own in, to be put in another parent's car. Insurance - pretty sure it's not checked. I hadn't even thought about the whole 'business use' thing. I might phone my own insurer to see whether I'd be covered. And yes, I think I will volunteer myself, but it's still a matter of principle (I might not always be able to volunteer in future). Besides, I quite like the idea of DS going on his first trip without me - promote independence and so on.

ps I'd be perfectly happy with public transport, but there isn't any round here.