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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!

OP posts:
blueemerald · 10/01/2014 20:12

I find the no escorts thing pretty extraordinary. I work in a secondary special school (not for learning difficulties) and our students under 13 are not allowed to be without a chaperone in their taxis (this includes when we exclude/send them home early for dangerous behaviour, a member of staf has to accompany them home).

VerySmallSqueak · 10/01/2014 20:18

I think it's more usual than not for them to have no escorts nowadays.

I would rather they have them tbh but the option isn't there.

MillyMollyMama · 10/01/2014 20:18

No escorts here. Personally I do not think a round trip of 5 miles twice a day to deliver and collect is that much of a problem. I did that when mine were small! If you are not sure about the taxi, you have to do it yourself. Your toddler will get used to it. It is your choice but most people I know did it themselves until the children were 7.

ToffeeOwnsTheSausage · 10/01/2014 20:18

I think letting your 4 year old go with a stranger every day so you don't have to do the round trip with a toddler every day is unbelievable.

Goldmandra · 10/01/2014 20:19

No escorts is normal on school transport be it coaches, minibuses or taxis. Thousands of children travel in the car of just a driver all over the country every day.

It's probably unsatisfactory and I often wonder how a driver would cope alone with a coach full of school children in the case of an accident or breakdown where they had to get off. The difference between the care taken for school trips and that taken on school transport is enormous and makes little sense.

It's a massive issue which nobody tackles because the expense of doing it properly and safely would be prohibitive.

Goldmandra · 10/01/2014 20:20

*care, not car.

AmandaTanen · 10/01/2014 20:23

The use of taxis is a common occurrence in my authority, huge rural area. All drivers are pvg checked and attend a council training session. If you don't want what is on offer do the school run yourself.

VerySmallSqueak · 10/01/2014 20:25

Completely agree Goldmandra.

You only need more than one child in a taxi for there to be the possibility,or even likelihood,of fallings-out,and that really doesn't help the driver concentrate.It's also harde to get to the bottom of problems since neither the school nor the parents are there so it is hard to establish exactly what has gone on if there is misbehaviour.

SilverViking · 10/01/2014 20:28

Our children were the only ones on the school bus home in years 1 to 3. They loved it, and would sit at front so they could "talk"to the driver. Ended up, the driver would come drive the bus up to the back door to drop then off, and t talk for 15 mins.... Until it was time to go for his next run!
There are paedos about (unfortunately I've known a few (unknowingly) over the years. I think it is important to teach then how to protect themselves, and what to do if there is a situation they are not happy with... Because you cannot be with them or control their environment...completely, forever!
The balance is to reduce the risk and give them the tools to help themselves and know what to do.... But then everyone attitude to the risk is different!!

Original poster
flootshoot · 10/01/2014 20:28

toffee it's not just so I don't have to do the round trip with a toddler. I quite happily walk that distance. What I don't like is that the route is very unsafe for the children - poorly lit country road with narrow pavements, no footpath on some stretches. I appreciate advice and hearing people's experiences. I could do without the judgy comments ta.

OP posts:
VerySmallSqueak · 10/01/2014 20:33

I also thought Toffee's comments were a tad unnecessary and unhelpful floot.

Ignore.You are ensuring that your child gets to school in the safest way you can.
Which is all any of us can hope to do.

SilverViking · 10/01/2014 20:37

Toffee, that is a bit strong.... It is one thing leting your child go in a taxi/pubic transport and letting them jump into a car with a"real" stranger! Also OP mentioned risk of walking the route..... And needs to be weighted up against the risk of a cent cheeked regular putting your child at risk!
How manychildren are killed on the road each year in their parents car, or while walking with parents on the school run...compared to the number of children abused by their regular taxi driver??

Original poster
flootshoot · 10/01/2014 20:39

Thank you verysmallsqueak. Our situation is awkward at best and I genuinely am trying to do the right thing by DS (and DD), not just make life easier for me.

OP posts:
VerySmallSqueak · 10/01/2014 20:44

I completely get where you are coming from floot.

It will be fine.Really.

Mine have gone by school transport for years.

Once you've all settled in to it,you'll be ok,but it's natural to have the jitters at first.

ToffeeOwnsTheSausage · 10/01/2014 20:45

I apologise, OP if I upset you. I won't bother posting my thoughts. I hope you get everything sorted and you and your son are happy with the outcome.

moldingsunbeams · 10/01/2014 20:47

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Bluestocking · 10/01/2014 20:48

Like other posters, I completely understand your feelings, but I think the thing to focus on is that a CRB-checked, trained and trusted adult will be driving your child to school every day. He or she certainly won't be your stereotype grotty minicab driver.
I use taxis a lot for work and have met a very few who specialise in pupil transport - they were without exception lovely individuals who talked so positively about this part of their job - I think that the rigours of the job itself, as well as the very time-consuming training, really would serve to weed out anyone who wasn't suitable. I'd be very surprised if your assigned driver wasn't keen to meet you too and establish a relationship with you as well as your child.
Good luck with the driving lessons too!

givemeaclue · 10/01/2014 20:51

No I wouldn't. I would take him myself

lougle · 10/01/2014 20:52

Even if to do so would put both your DC at risk, givemeaclue? In this situation there is no safe walking route and the DC are going to have to walk on roads without footpaths, in the dark winter months, with rain, sleet and snow.

Original poster
flootshoot · 10/01/2014 20:56

toffee thank you for replying. I'm feeling a bit sensitive and guilty about putting DS in this position and I was upset at the suggestion I was doing it to be lazy.

OP posts:
VerySmallSqueak · 10/01/2014 20:56

Imo it's far safer to go by taxi than on an unlit road with no footpath,particularly in snow or fog,at the times of day when many people are driving on the roads for work and school.

It's a no-brainer surely?

girliefriend · 10/01/2014 20:57

Are you learning to drive op? That would be top of my priority list!!

I would also hate to do this, 4 is very little. Do you get any say on whether its a male or female cab driver? I know its totally unreasonable and irrational but I would feel better if it were a female driver Blush

Are you a single parent?

HSMMaCM · 10/01/2014 20:57

DH was a school taxi driver. Now he's a childminder. He's lovely Grin

VerySmallSqueak · 10/01/2014 21:00

floot.

STOP! Smile

You are not 'putting your DS in that position'. There is no need to feel guilty.
You said he is quite pleased at the idea.It's an exciting adventure for him!

You are making sure he gets to school safely - it's that simple.

girliefriend · 10/01/2014 21:01

Would the cab driver walk them to their classroom and pick them up from their classroom as well?

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