To not let my 3yr go on a school trip?

[VinegarTits]

with the nursery school, because the coach/bus has adults seat belts and he is too small for an adult seat belt and they wont be providing proper car seats or booster seats?

and they will be on the bus most of the day, as its a trip to the Safari park

I think bus and coaches, and taxis too, are exempt from car seat rules.

The law:

Children aged 3 and above, until they reach EITHER their 12th birthday OR 135cm in height:

*In front seat - Correct child restraint MUST be used Where seat belts fitted, correct child restraint MUST be used

• In rear seat - MUST use adult belt if the correct child restraint is not available in three scenarios:

• in a in a licensed taxi or private hire vehicle ;
• for a short distance for reason of unexpected necessity;
• two occupied child restraints prevent fitment of a third.

In addition, a child 3 and over may travel unrestrained in the rear seat of a vehicle if seat belts are not available

Other Vehicles - Rear Seats

Rear Seats in Small Minibuses

Passengers sitting in the rear of minibuses that have an unladen weight of 2,540 kg or less must wear the seat belts that are provided. It is the driver?s responsibility to ensure that :

children under 3 years of age use an appropriate child restraint if available.
children aged between 3 and 11 years, under 1.35 metres tall use an appropriate child restraint if available, or if not available, wear the seat belt, if available.
children aged 12 and 13 years (and younger children who are 1.35 metres or taller) use the seat belt, if available.
Passengers over the age of 14 years in smaller minibuses are legally responsible for wearing a seat belt themselves.

Rear Seats in Larger Minibuses

Passengers over the age of 14 MUST wear seat belts in the rear of larger minibuses (over 2,540 kg unladen weight). However, all passengers are strongly advised to wear seat belts or the correct child seat on all journeys.

Rear Seats in Coaches

Passengers over the age of 14 MUST wear seat belts in the rear coaches. However, all passengers are strongly advised to wear seat belts or the correct child seat on all journeys.

yes, I need two hands and a deep breath to heave DS's priorifix anywhere - and I need him nowhere near in case I accidentally clip him round the head with it. Not a job that cane be done while crossing the road with a toddler

Hi, YANBU, I'd also be concerned and I'm sure there will be other parents at the nursery who think the same. My mum was a pupil escort taking children to and from school on coaches/mini buses and taxis. They would often carry a little device to attach to the adult seat belt that would adjust the belt so that it would sit correctly on the child's shoulder. I know that this is not as safe as a proper child seat but it was better than just having the adult seat belt on it's own. The coach company may even supply these.

cant you buy a booster seat they dont cost very much.

YANBU - I would not have allowed my elder children to go on a day out trip without me on a coach and the same for my toddler who will be 3 in September.

YANBU - I wouldn't let DD go on a nursery trip at all.

VT - are you near a Lidl? They have booster seats for under £4 at the moment.

YANBU to be concerned. Why not talk to the nursery and see what they suggest. They may be expecting you to provide a seat if you want your child to travel using one. Alternatively if you have signed the consent form, then you are agreeing to your child travelling on a coach and they may be assuming you `risk assesed' this and are comfortable wopth the risk (which you're not)

Official guidcelines are here [[http://www.childcarseats.org.uk/carrying_safely/buses_coaches_taxis.htm}}

So, I'd discuss with nursery, provide a seat if possible and if it wasn't possible and this is a complete deal breaker, don't send your child - that would be sensible and not unreasonable at all

sorry link is here www.childcarseats.org.uk/carrying_safely/buses_coaches_taxis.htm

I don't think I'd let my 3 year old out on a nursey trip. Especially travelling any sort of distance, in a vehicle where they are likely to be cooped up for a good part of the day, especially in this heat. If I wanted her to go to a safari park I'd take her myself. At that age they don't really know about missing out on stuff.

I too have a massive heavy isofix seat, rear-facing too - doubt that would fit in a minibus. She is too light yet for just a booster seat alone (only 13.5Kg)

In fact there is no way I'd let her go.

I was just on a safari park trip with ds yesterday who is 3. The kids had to have an adult with them so there were lots of mums, grans, dads, etc there. We just used the belts on the bus as they were lap belts and very few car seats/boosters would fit in with just a lap belt (the ones I use in the car wouldnt). We had a 50 minute drive there, went round the park once in the bus and then got off as there were things to do/see which didnt need the bus e.g. sealion show, boat ride to chimpanzee island, lunch, etc. We had a few hours there before we had to get back on the bus for the trip home. A safari trip doesnt mean they are stuck on the bus all day. Is there no provision for you to be able to go along too? Our nursery trips need an accompanying adult and they dont get to go by themselves until they are at primary school

I find with the Priori Fix that it's not just the weight of the chair but the fact that it is awkward to carry. Especially with the central leg bit flapping around!!