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Primary education

Join our Primary Education forum to discuss starting school and helping your child get the most out of it.

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Original poster

DD too young for school trip at 4?

81 replies

CocoSims · 11/07/2021 20:28

Our schools organised a school trip for the reception kids this week. It’s a 2 hour coach trip and full day at the seaside. There are a couple of parents going to help out.

Normally I’d be fine with this but my DD is the youngest in the school and it shows, she’s not at all streetwise and I’ve been told they’ll be holding a friends hand which she’s not very good at, her heads always in the clouds.

Shall I just be honest with the school? What are your views on kids going at this age? I understand not all kids have the chance to do these things so I get it but she seems really young right now.

I do have a nearly 8 year old who does loads so I know it’s not a general issue I have with letting my kids do stuff.

OP posts:

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Summertime21 · 11/07/2021 21:01

My DC were doing trips out regularly in pre school, all trips are risk assessed and ratios checked. I'm sure she will be fine and may even thrive with a little independence

LotLessBovver · 11/07/2021 21:03

The whole trip will be arranged around the fact that the children are only 4 or 5yrs old.

The staff will be doing head counts for their little groups so often that they'll still be automatically counting to 6 when they're safely back at home. :o The children who need a closer eye will usually be lined up at the front where they will be nearest to the adult.

Toilet visits will be arranged so that no non-school adults are in there when the children are. Children won't be wandering near the water, and they will be supervised at all times.

It's rarely a good idea to have parents with their own child's group. Some are great but others treat it as a nice day out with their own child with a few extra children who just happen to be tagging along.

At this age I'm guessing the trip will consist of things like building sandcastles on the beach, looking for interesting shells & stones, buying an ice-cream, and eating a packed lunch together.

Italiandreams · 11/07/2021 21:05

I’m fine with trips in general, my preschooler goes out and about etc I just two hours in a coach is two far for a four year old and then it’s very open. Usually trips for such younger ones in my experience are much more local and to more contained areas.

toocold54 · 11/07/2021 21:05

If you think your child is too young just say that to them no trip is compulsory. You know your child.
I (reluctantly) let my child go and I’m glad I did as they all came back safe and had a good day out. But if you’re not comfortable then don’t let them go.

Tal45 · 11/07/2021 21:08

I think you're worrying way too much, no doubt she'll have a wonderful time. They will all be watched like a hawk. If you're really worried ask if she can be in the teachers group. Children at nursery go on day trips so I really don't think she's too young. They will probably fall asleep on the way home.

WingingItEveryDay7 · 11/07/2021 21:18

@CocoSims

Our schools organised a school trip for the reception kids this week. It’s a 2 hour coach trip and full day at the seaside. There are a couple of parents going to help out.

Shall I just be honest with the school? What are your views on kids going at this age? I understand not all kids have the chance to do these things so I get it but she seems really young right now.

I do have a nearly 8 year old who does loads so I know it’s not a general issue I have with letting my kids do stuff.

I would feel exactly the same if I were in your shoes too! 2 hours on a coach is a long time for a 4 year old, especially if they're not in their car seat? I'm also a bit funny with water and the seaside is just full of dangers.

Are you able to travel solo with your DD so that you can be there as a non volunteer and she's in a proper seat? I'm sure you can't be the only parent with concerns, do you know many of the others to talk too?

Personally, if I couldn't take my DS and he would be sat in a normal coach seat for 2 hours I wouldn't let him go. I'd take him somewhere else that day instead as I'd be sick with worry all day x

SometimesIFeedTheSparrows · 11/07/2021 21:20

How is this trip going ahead? We've had all sorts of trips, sports days, assemblies and ceremonies cancelled this term - and for the next two weeks until term ends - because schools don't want to mix parents/teachers/pupils.

User5827372728 · 11/07/2021 21:22

@SometimesIFeedTheSparrows

All 90 of our year 6 went off on a 4 night residential camp last week.

ImFree2doasiwant · 11/07/2021 21:25

I'm pretty relaxed about this sort of thing but don't think I'd be happy with this. DS1 was still 4 by the time the summer holidays started. He went on a coach trip to a panto, 30 minutes max on the coach. 2 hrs is too long

HSHorror · 11/07/2021 21:56

Our school did lose one of reception temporarily. He ran out of a building.
So it really depends on your child and how they are at the time.
I removed permission for dc1 at 5y5 as they were in a difficult phase and it was like standimg around in an area where they were likely to mess about.

Comedycook · 11/07/2021 22:02

Trips in reception are fine imo but I would not be happy with it being a beach trip to be honest but that's because I'm completely paranoid about children at beaches...and never let my DC out of my sight

ijudgeyou · 11/07/2021 22:05

My DD is youngest in the year, never stopped her going. Her school is so organised when it comes to trips etc so I had no doubts. They choose who they're paired with so they won't put two together who will not concentrate/mess around.

In relation to another comment my current reception child (also very young in the year) would certainly notice if they didn't go on a trip.

Hyacinth88 · 11/07/2021 22:07

A 2 HR each way journey at age 4 on a day trip seems bonkers.

G5000 · 11/07/2021 22:08

DD was 3 (almost 4) when she went on a 3-day-2-night residential school trip, no problems, teachers could manage everything just fine.

Clymene · 11/07/2021 22:08

I've volunteered on trips like that. You don't do it to spend time with your kid, you do it to keep all the children safe. It will be a 1:4 ratio and will be very, very safe.

But if you don't feel confident, don't let her go.

MargaretThursday · 12/07/2021 08:00

When dd was in reception afterwards they had to write a sentence to go up on the wall about the best bit of the trip. About 28/30 children wrote "The best bit of the trip was the coach".
No mention of any of the animals they saw/fed/held. I said to the teacher that maybe next time just arrange a trip in the coach and don't worry about the rest.

Really, I understand the worry (when dd was reception one of the parents chose to follow the coach all the way there, sit in the car park and follow it back again) but she will be better going.
Tell the teacher our worries, and they'll probably put her with one of the parents they know they can trust or one of the teachers.

Otherwise next year you'll be thinking "you know she's a very young 5yo, I'm not sure she'll manage like the others..."

NautaOcts · 12/07/2021 08:03

2 hours each way??? That’s a bit crazy, they’re not going or have very long there are they? Bet they’ll all sleep on the way back though!

Nonmaquillee · 12/07/2021 08:06

Not the point of your post, really, but four hours on a coach for probably as many hours on the beach is too long at that age. Surely the school could have found a nice park / play “farm” or similar much closer?

RedToothBrush · 12/07/2021 08:12

In the nicest possible way, you are being ridiculous.

The teachers know the class. They know all the kids. They done trips with 4 year olds before. And most importantly they wouldn't take them on a trip which could potentially leave them in a situation where there would be a problem due to age. They have to risk assess everything. Especially at the moment.

I've been a helper for nursery trips out with coach, long day and 3 and 4 year olds.

They will be fine. She will be fine. You will be the nervous wreck who worries needlessly all day. She will get home, collapse and fall asleep. Then talk non stop about it for days.

Let her enjoy.

RedToothBrush · 12/07/2021 08:12

@NautaOcts

2 hours each way??? That’s a bit crazy, they’re not going or have very long there are they? Bet they’ll all sleep on the way back though!

Oh they will. Its dead cute.

Pinuporc · 12/07/2021 08:15

My DC both did something similar with school when they were 5 and they loved it.
Whenever ive been on school trips (several) the parent is always leading a group containing their own child, I've never heard of it a different way.

NeedNewKnees · 12/07/2021 08:16

You’re overreacting.

First off, parents are never put in a group with their own children. They are there to help supervise, not have a free day out with their child.

There are high ratios of adults to children and near endless head counts. The children will have a brilliant time - the novelty is the main attraction for them. And the school will have run this trip multiple times; they know what they’re doing.

Let her go, she’ll have a brilliant day with her friends and be safe as houses.

Italiandreams · 12/07/2021 08:21

I really don’t think the OP is being ridiculous, she is ok to feel like that. As a veteran of organising many many school trips I would not take a big group of children that young on a coach for four hours. Toileting for a start would be a nightmare, it’s such a long to be sitting too. Not saying it can’t be done, I’m sure the teacher know the kids but I would be hesitant and I don’t think it would happen in any school I have worked in, it’s quite unusual. So not saying the school shouldn’t do it but also acknowledging that the OP is not being ridiculous for being a little anxious.

LemonRoses · 12/07/2021 08:21

Let her go. Children are much better at theses things than we give credit for. Four year olds often do much longer than two hours for holidays.
Coaches are generally much safer than parents cars and now have seat belts.
She might be tired, but she’ll have had a brilliant day. Tired isn’t a bad thing.

tiredteacher100 · 12/07/2021 08:23

A two hour trip
Is much too far for reception children! In year 1/2 we are looking at an hour each way for trips.

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