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Original poster

DS getting taxi home alone from school at four years old....

85 replies

flootshoot · 10/01/2014 16:47

Please tell me this will be ok.

This is the only option (see my other thread) - the driver will be CRB checked and luckily DS is a very confident child, but it goes against all parental instincts! The LA doesn't provide chaperones (the head teacher is slightly Hmm about this too), and there are no other children in the taxi. Does anyone's else child do this? Words of reassurance would be welcome!

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Original poster
flootshoot · 10/01/2014 18:11

He's only intercounty because we're near the border and it was the closest school with a place when we moved here in July. Just confuses matters slightly!

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Original poster
flootshoot · 10/01/2014 18:14

captainsweatpants he's entitled to transport because of the distance from the school. The school's in a village with no practical public transport, I don't drive (yet!), and the walk home is unsafe.

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Goldmandra · 10/01/2014 18:22

DD2 was travelling 10 miles in a taxi on her own sometimes aged 9. Even at that age it felt wrong but for no logical reason.

You need to get in writing from the LA an undertaking to use one driver and one backup, that they will guarantee to use a booster and that the driver will check that his seatbelt is correctly fitted.

If the driver won't take responsibility for the seatbelt, we had one who wouldn't request that a TA sees him to the taxi and does it instead and you can do it in the mornings.

AngelinaCongleton · 10/01/2014 18:25

Can you pay for a place on the school bus and take him to that?

Original poster
flootshoot · 10/01/2014 18:26

Good advice goldmantra. Does anyone know what happens if they don't have an available driver?

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Original poster
flootshoot · 10/01/2014 18:30

There are no seats on the bus, and they'll only get a larger bus if more children from the catchment request a place. Ds was offered a spare seat but it was withdrawn almost immediately because a child in the catchment needed it.

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lougle · 10/01/2014 18:39

It will be fine. The driver will be fine.

dd1 has SN and nearly all the children at her school go by taxi/minibus.

spanieleyes · 10/01/2014 18:41

We have children travel by taxi, it's pretty standard round here. Sometimes they share and sometimes a child will be on their own ( we currently have one 4 year old travelling by herself-she LOVES her driver and wants to invite hiom to her birthday party!) The drivers are universally very good, ensure the children are safe and secure and are happy to have a chat.
BUT, the council can change the taxi contract on an almost termly basis, basically if someone offers to do it cheaper they will swap. So you may find that, just as you get used to one driver you have a change over of company and so driver too.

TalkinPeace · 10/01/2014 18:42

Would you let a friend drive him?
Or a grandparent?
If so, why not a taxi driver?

FFS I flew to America unaccompanied when I was 4

Original poster
flootshoot · 10/01/2014 19:00

Bully for you friendinpeace.

I think most people would agree a taxi driver is not quite the same as a friend or grandparent.

Excuse me for being concerned about my child's safety. Hmm

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Original poster
flootshoot · 10/01/2014 19:00

talkinpeace, sorry.

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Bloodyteenagers · 10/01/2014 19:03

The use of an escort depends entirely on the individual council. Some do not provide any at all, some one and others are insistent on two escorts.

Talk to the council and the transport company that they are using to get a regular driver. This is possible. We have a number of people come in, using regular, unescorted transport. Although the council might try and say it is impossible, so to arrange this take to the taxi company.. The council cannot deny you contact details.

If the council change companies, which doesn't always happen, again you want the details so you can talk to the company.

Honestly, I do understand your reservations, but there is nothing to worry about. IF you do have any problems, then you report straight away to the school and council. Although the school have no control they should support you.

SconeForAStroll · 10/01/2014 19:07

Floot, he will be fine. Mine both used the taxi from reception and it was often the highlight of their day.

The taxi drivers have to do a lot of training to do a school run - it isn't just a 'normal' cabbie and the checks are strenuous and continuing. Ours has just had to complete 12 hours of cpd this year.

I do remember how nervous I felt when my pfb used it, but it becomes such a lovely part of their school experience and the drivers become real friends.

TalkinPeace · 10/01/2014 19:08

OP
the point is that if you are not happy with it, don't use it

but the councils are very experienced at this - there are taxis outside most primary schools for various reasons

they know it works - that is why they do it that way

and actually, after a few years, the driver WILL BE a friend

Original poster
flootshoot · 10/01/2014 19:09

Blimey two escorts seems a bit overkill.

I will email them with a few questions on Monday and make sure we're all on the same page. DS is quite excited about getting a cab by himself!

Now to learn to drive and hopefully make all this faffing a distant memory!

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Original poster
flootshoot · 10/01/2014 19:16

scone that's very reassuring.

talkinpeace I am sorry for being so arsey. Feeling very tired and stressed today.

I ordered my provisional driving licence today so my aim is to pass by Easter (fingers crossed) so hopefully it'll only be one term.

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TalkinPeace · 10/01/2014 19:20

8flootshoot* No worries.

FWIW I have friends who have done school run taxi driving and it is their favourite.
The same kid chatting about their day, every day, treating the drivers a bit like a mad uncle.
No stress over paying or routes or timing
just a nice bit of ear bending from a cheery sober customer twice a day Wink

coco44 · 10/01/2014 19:23

No it's fine!
My next door' s autistic little boy has gone 10 miles to and from school everyday since he was 4 by taxi.He goes to a school with a SN unit and has done amazingly well there, while his DT goes to the local village primary.

Original poster
flootshoot · 10/01/2014 19:27

Thank you everyone.

I'm logging off for the evening but I appreciate the sage advice.

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UnexpectedItemInShaggingArea · 10/01/2014 19:33

I want to emphasise I am not an expert but I have worked in children's services organisations. The situations were higher risk than this one but thee was no way one adult would be in charge of a child.

I don't see paedos around every corner but if your son made an allegation there would be no way of knowing if it were true.

Can you ask to see the council's risk assessment?

TalkinPeace · 10/01/2014 19:43

Unexpected
sorry but you are wrong - it happens twice a day every school day all over the country

UnexpectedItemInShaggingArea · 10/01/2014 19:57

Sorry, I should have made it clear, it wasn't a council but a third sector organisation. I don't doubt it happens but it does pose a risk. CRB checks are pretty meaningless IMO.

There was a thread on MN from a mum who's daughter had been subject to some pretty unpleasant comments by a school taxi driver who was CRB checked.

TalkinPeace · 10/01/2014 20:01

I have CRBs in both of my names : I know exactly how rubbish they are.
THere is no substitute for 'feel' and self preservation.
BUT
the taxi thing is widespread
a couple of taxi driver friends hated the wittering kids and swopped off it
others think its great
and I'd be gobsmacked if the council were not willing to shuffle drivers till they got a good match

mymatemax · 10/01/2014 20:02

it will be fine, a teacher will hand him over or maybe go out to the car to ensure he is safely in the car.
Unless the child has SN there is no requirement for the child to have a chaperone.
He'll be fine

VerySmallSqueak · 10/01/2014 20:11

I can understand your worries -DD1 was only 4 when she first used school transport and it is unsettling until there is a routine in place.

It's excellent that you will have a regular driver.If you ever have a replacement,check the licence card and ensure that the school know to do the same.

Speak to the school.Establish with them exactly what will happen after school.For example,will your child go to the office,and will an office staff member take him out to the taxi,or will the taxi driver come and fetch him.Establish that the school will ring and let you know if the taxi is late,so you don't worry.Swap your own home number and mobile with the taxi driver - hopefully the taxi driver will give you their own number too.

Ensure that child locks will be used. Quickly glance around the taxi at first and establish that you are happy that the state of the taxi and that any debris has been removed that you would not be happy being in the back of the taxi with your child.

Establish what will happen when your child arrives at the school - it is likely that the taxi driver will take your child to the school office. Ensure there will be an actual handover between adults.

It will be fine,and asking loads of questions and understanding the safeguards the school and taxi will have in place will help you settle with it much better.

There is no harm in ringing the school at first just to make sure your DS has arrived happily at school!

I have found that the vast majority of drivers are dads,and really look after the little ones.