My Reception PFB is going on his first school trip

[Broadwalkempire]

I got the slip through from school - didn't really think about it and sent the cheque back and now have realised my little 4.5 year old is going on a coach to a farm and I won't be there !!....He's really excited about it and has gone on about it every day and will do til the day arrives....

Am I a mad and clingy parent (he's not my only one and I suspect when DC2 gets to it I won't give it a thought will I ) ?

Luckily it is a work day for me so I can try to keep my mind off it. I've told him not to run off even if anyone else thinks its funny and otherwise I suspect that it's more than the schools life worth to lose a child ....

I understand why you feel worried. Its hard not to think of them when they are doing something new and not with you! It will be alright though...just bite the bullet! Be brave....

There will be a high adult/child ratio and these things are organised with scary military precision in my experience. There is endless counting of children, and one adult will be assigned a small pack of kids to watch. Panic not!

Don't panic. I felt the same, and went on the first reception trip (not been since as thought I should let her get on with it and also usually my working days).

Each adult generally has about 4 children to look after, so no chance of losing them!

Feels weird them going without you though!

I also realise that I prob won't even think about it when my DD2 starts going.

I understand how you feel. My DS is in RY and in two months he is going away to a zoo. They start the trip at 9am and arrive back to school at 5pm. Does anyone think it is a long trip for a RY kid? I might say "no" to it.

Aw thanks - feel better already. It's just the first in the long life of parental worry - I can't believe how brave my mum was, when, age 21 I took off on my own to Asia, little back pack in hand. The thought !!!....in retrospect I think my mum is pretty cool in how she handled those sorts of things - she was worried to death but would never have stopped us....( I know I was 21 but still).

we take our reception children across london on the tube . there will be very high adult child ratios & risk assessments & everything will be fine. but it is hard the first time.

they increase the adult:child ratio to 1:5.

I worried like mad for DS1, then realised at 2pm that I hadn't given it a second thought all day.

DO emphasise that he must listen to his grown up. If you're worried that he's a non-listener, you can request that he's in the teacher or the TA's group (as opposed to another parent).

My ds (in reception) with a history of running off and is deaf and can't hear well outside went on a farm trip 2 weeks ago. I was very worried but the teacher reassured me that he would be in her group and they had 1:4. I was a wreck all day but he came home in one piece and hadn't run off once . I'll be much more relaxed next time.

It will be fine but I know that that won't stop you worrying . Its like all these firsts, once they've done it once you can relax.

As a veteran parent helper on trips I can assure you that there will be a high adult to child ration with lots of counting of heads.

The teachers will have done this thing many times before and will have carried out multiple risk assessments.

Also the place that they visit will be rehearsed in having school trips, the coach drivers will be experienced with children - they will all have to wear seat belts etc - unlike in my day when it was 3 or 4 of us crammed on a double seat.

He will be fine, he'll have a lovely day.

Ok I could have just said "what they ^ said"

My DS is in reception and trips are 1:5 minimum and coaches have seatbelts for kids of this age.

When my dd was in reception, the ratio was 1:2 if the child was 4, went up to more when they were 5. They are stickered up with the group leader's mobile on it and school name etc.

So, you would have some groups of 2 and some of more.

But, dd went on a trip today (yr1) and I still worried about it a little on and off all day.

Just think what fun he'll have though !

My PFB, DD aged 13 has recently been on her first school trip that involved a plane. I was like a soul possessed, it was absolutely horrid. I only relaxed once they were there, when I knew she was having the best time ever. I would never say this to her because we want them to do exciting stuff don't we, but blimmmeeee it's hard!

I have been on several reception school trips as a helper for my DS and DD, they had a fantastic time. It was incredibly well organised and supervised. The teacher is almost continuously counting heads!!!!

They do trip plans and assessments and everything. And if a coach is involved, they are all correctly strapped in etc etc....

He will have a ball and please try not to worry!!!!

He had a fab time !!
Came back very happy and very knackered !
Thanks all for your support....

go with his excitement - he's not worried/anxious which is a credit to you really . Make sure you're there to wave when the coach arrives back!

Great see... nothing to worry about :)

Colourworld why would you stop him just because it's a long day?? He'll have lots of fun with his friends, he'll chatter away when you pick him up and be asleep by the time you get home! It's not going to hurt him having a long day and a lot of fun is it?!