toddler - nursery trip on the bus - help!

[sazm]

hi all,
am debating if im being sensible or over protective here and need some other peoples views plz..

my ds (4yo) got a letter home saying they are going on a nursery trip,they will be travelling by bus,the journey is about 20 mins each way on the main road,

i just feel that after searching for ages for the 'safest' car seat for him,would it be siilly of me to then stick him on a bus with no restraint???
i could drive him there/pick him up but i dont want him to feel left out if all his friends are going on the bus??

honest views most welcome lol

sarahxx

Yes the journey is always the main event for dd1 on a nursery trip.

My dd went on the bus for the first time last weekend which was a total fluke as we had planned going into town on the train but they were not running. She absolutely loved it, was almost beside herself about sitting in her own seat next to me. She kept saying, 'Mummy, we're on the bus!'. Every time she sees one now she starts shouting, 'Bus, bus!' I actually felt a little odd that she'd never been one one before! Always in the blardy car!

I do understand what you mean, but I'm sure he'll be just fine.

TBH I'm surprised the nursery aren't tied by health and safety and having to hire a minibus! I would have no problems as long as I knew there were enough staff to keep them in their seats and behaving - I take DDs 2 and 3 (5 and 1) on buses, trains and tubes loads and would see it as no different from that. The travel and learning how to ride on a bus, how to behave is part of the whole experience.

Gosh, DS's reception class (made up primarily of 4 year olds) are all over London 2-3 times a term on buses, trains and tubes etc.

It never occurred to me to even worry about it.

Don't drive him, you will just add to teacher's stress, and mess up their risk assessment. Also if you keep doing this sort of thing you are setting your son up for a world of pain when his classmates are old enough to notice.

hmm,ok ladies he is going on the bus,lol

Have been on a bus that was driven into by a car. Car was badly dented, we didn't even feel it on the bus. SO feel reassured!

I've been on a coach where the driver pulled out into the side of the car. Car hit right where I was sitting. Everyone on the coach and in the car were fine, but I was in a bit of shock about it, but then I shock easy I use buses all the time, only ever had one other accident.

In the bus station.

Going backwards.

At 5mph or so.

Into a guard rail. Again, everyone fine.

I can understand how you feel. I use buses on a local route sometimes and my DS loves it, but I would probably think more about it if it was coach trip for some distance on a motorway or carriageway where it would be at greater speeds. However, on reflection I would have to look at the statistics and weigh this up with enjoyment he would feel and would probably go for it.

Also, all coaches (not buses) have to have a lap belt now I think.

You should be asked by the nursery to take his own car seat in to be strapped in as usual. It's against the law for him to be sat directly on to the bus seat with just a seat belt.

Sorry, did you mean a public bus?

theres no seatbelts on the bus,thats what i had the problem with,
if it had been a minibus he could've been in his car seat and i would have been happy with that,

Why isn't it against the law for children to get on buses then?

its just a normal school bus=no seatbelts=no carseat,

In most towns and cities children use buses with their families every day. they don't use seat belt as public buses tend not to have seat belts. On a nursery outing by bus the bus is part of the outing, just as the train is part of an outing by train.
I think you are being a bit PFB with this.

DS loves the bus (and the train), my only safety concern is when he is standing on the seat trying to look out of the window

He will love it. Do take him on the train as well, that's even better.