Am I over reacting? Kids in a taxi by themselves.

[HuevosRancheros]

Kids went to holiday club today, they have been many times before, they know the staff and the staff know them.

In the afternoon they go swimming off site. Today apparently there wasn’t enough room in the minibus for all of them, so my two (aged 8 and 11) and two other kids (don’t know the ages) went in a taxi by themselves. No adult from holiday club in there with them, but using a known and trusted taxi company. DCs said they were chosen as they were sensible and some of the oldest there.
There were two members of staff in the minibus with the other kids.

I’m not happy about it. I’d never put the kids in a taxi on their own, and don’t like the fact that the holiday club have done it without me knowing. But am I over reacting? Would appreciate some other opinions and perspective please :)

Private hire drivers are used to take out-of-catchment children and special needs children to their respective schools without an adult

No they don't . Do you even know what your talking about ?

OP, when you registered your children at this club, did you sign paperwork to agree to them using private cabs for transport without an adult? If not, then YANBU

That happens here too notgivingin78910 - some children get escorts but not all.

In my LA taxi drivers take DC to and from special schools from the age of 4, without chaperones. I know this because my child was one of them. The taxi firm concerned have a contract with the LA and only use drivers with a DBS. Usually the same driver takes the same 2 or 3 children each day, but if there is illness etc, it could be a substitute driver.

For those saying their children who go to school via taxi ALWAYS have a chaperone ....... Erm no they don't..... Not in Hampshire anyway.... My 5yr old (now 7) had 6 weeks when waiting for a local school place, taxi was provided but no chaperone! Due to funding.......

Anyways in regards to the OP, it's pretty poor planning to have oversubscribed..... But don't see a massive issue with taxi seeings it was 4 of them.... If it were only 1 I'd probably be a bit more reactive.

i feel like people reactions on this will depend on the location of where they are living at the time. Someone loving in a busy city (like me) would feel massively uncomfortable if this happened with my DC, yet if i lived in a quiet suburd with less crime rates then maybe my answer would be different.

The children weren’t asked to drive the taxi, were they? Or to ride on the roof rack?

I’d say just calm down and get over it?

Not an issue, such drama on MN!

If there had been an accident the taxi driver would not have had the correct contact and medical information for your children so I wouldn’t be happy.

So are you with an 11 year old all the time unless he's in organised activities? Do they not get themselves to school on their own? Do you helicopter them in?

i feel like people reactions on this will depend on the location of where they are living at the time. Someone loving in a busy city (like me) would feel massively uncomfortable if this happened with my DC, yet if i lived in a quiet suburd with less crime rates then maybe my answer would be different.

I live in a busy city and not sure why the cab drivers here would be more likely to be criminals..... do enlighten me.

"Private hire drivers are used to take out-of-catchment children and special needs children to their respective schools without an adult

No they don't confused. Do you even know what your talking about ?"

They certainly did a few years ago when my dd had special needs transport. The subject came up for (heated) discussion on MN and in the end we had to conclude that different councils must have different policies. Also Hampshire.

@corythatwas yes they do! I have friends who are ta I drivers and they do exactly that, every single school morning. You don't know what you're taking about!

@corythatwas apologies I see you were quoting someone else 🙃

My, very good & highly reputable taxi company are not allowed to take children without an adult in the car.

I would have been livid.

Why do people have to be so arrogant to think just because they have a certain experience, it must be universal? We live rurally and due to distance all my dc get a council provided taxi to school - no chaperone provided (not Hampshire!)

However back to the op - i’ve been able to make an informed decision regarding my dc going by taxi and know the taxi company are vetted and have my contact details etc. I would not be happy in your shoes op.

Not an issue, such drama on MN!

If there had been an accident the taxi driver would not have had the correct contact and medical information for your children so I wouldn’t be happy.

So are you with an 11 year old all the time unless he's in organised activities? Do they not get themselves to school on their own? Do you helicopter them in?

But it’s about making an informed choice. The parents weren’t given the opportunity to make a choice in this case which is why it’s wrong.

If I have entrusted the care of my 11 year old to an organisation I expect them to be supervising them and to have the correct medical and contact information if there is an emergency. If I choose to let my 11 year old walk to school alone that’s a decision I’ve made after risk assessing.

@notgivingin78910

Yes I do. Severe SEN children may have an adult. Others don't.

Children going to mainstream don't.