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

[flootshoot]

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 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!

The school tells me the drivers pick children up from the office. DH takes DS by car in the morning so it's only the journey home.

floot
please do not ever let any twonk make you feel guilty for using taxi transport
most of the children who use it are in unreconcilable situations
yours will sort once you get your licence, but will last until you do - take the pressure off yourself

the drivers are well trained
those who do it love it

as a corollary ....
there is a blind chap at my gym who is dropped of by family every morning by family, works out and is collected by a taxi that brings his guide dog each morning to take him to work
this has gone on for 12 years
we were ALL heartbroken when his last guide dog had to be retired

its much more than a casual taxi ride
the driver will be part of your family within two terms

If the walk is unsafe for your child but not for you, would you consider riding in the taxi with her to school then walking back home, and the other way around for pick up? I am the worrying type and that's what I would do...

makemelaugh, in that case the OP would have to walk home the unsafe route with her toddler, wouldn't she?

I wouldn't be happy about it. The unfortunate fact that thousands of other children are in the same situation doesn't change that.

Whether I would decide to do it anyway depends on the other options. You sound optimistic about getting your licence soonish, so one other option might be to home educate until you pass your test. My neighbour did that when she was offered taxi transport for her four year old and was not comfortable with it.

its very common in rural communities like ours where village primaries are spread out & all the smaller villages, hamlets etc are provided taxis to school
Far far safer than walking in the dark/snow/rain hail on windy bendy unlit country lanes with no pavements & a 60mile hr speed limit for 3 miles each way.

DD (who has SEN) attends a school around 20 miles away. I was truly terrified about her going by taxi as she is not streetwise or danger aware etc, but it was our only option to make it work. The LA arranged the taxi and I couldn't now be happier about it working well. Her driver has been the same the whole time and is just lovely with her. Other children are picked up en route, but there is no escort in the taxi. They play games and generally she is very happy and very well looked after. I hope the driver never has to change as she is amazing. For me it was the whole thought if it all and fear of the unknown but know I know I am fine about it all.

Thank you all for all the reassurance. I was told first thing friday morning that it would be set up sometime this week. I am going to chase them later today. I've no idea how long these things take, but we've another traipse home in the pouring rain today. Luckily our route isn't flooded unlike the rest of the village!!

I'm feeling a lot more positive about this now. I just wish they'd pull their finger out and sort it now, my hip's killing me today. :(