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Infants, Toddlers, & Preschoolers
Would you let your toddler go on a field trip with daycare?
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Anonymous
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Our toddler's class is going by bus (fitted with carseats) on a field trip about 1 hour away from the center. They will be on the bus for 2 hours (getting there and back) to stay at the place for about one hour. The main route is I-270. I have some anxiety about this and I am not sure I will agree to it. All the kids in the class are around 2 1/2.
Am I over-reacting? I have the option to chaperone but even so, I am not sure why they can't go on a field trip closer to home. |
Anonymous
| I wouldn't be worried in terms of safety, but I would question whether it would be enjoyable. 2 hours of sitting on a bus for 1 hour of activity doesn't seem like a good ratio to me. |
Anonymous
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I wouldn't let my toddler go without me. I've been to too many zoos/museums where I've daycare teachers who looked way too harried for my comfort.
Even if I went with the group, I think I'd drive myself and my toddler. An hour on a bus with a bunch of toddlers doesn't sound like a good time. |
Anonymous
| I would have absolutely no problem with it. Field trips are great experiences and fun for the kids. Will you permit your elementary-aged child go on a field trip? |
Anonymous
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Toddler: no. I agree with the previous poster, it sounds like a lot of riding for not much fun.
You can't compare an elementary student with a toddler. |
Anonymous
| OP here. Thanks for the replies. I agree with both of you. I would probably drive at least myself but I know my toddler will want to ride the bus with her friends. At this age it just seems so unnecessary to me. We do activities like the one they are doing on weekends, so it's not like she is missing out on this specific activity. Also, I am furious that they said there is no care provision for children whose parents choose not to send them on the trip. In other words, working parents must keep their child home until after lunch when the other children return from the trip. So the trip isn't really "optional" in the sense of being some extra. |
Anonymous
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I was thinking, if the toddler stays back and can hang out in another class, no big deal, right?
What does your contract say? I can't believe that if they don't go on the trip, then they have no way to accommodate them in another class, even for part of the day. I'd talk to the director about it. |
Anonymous
| Sounds like a complete waste of time and there is no way that I would allow my 2 1/2 daughter on a bus for 2 hours! Just out curiosity, where are they going on the trip? Something else that really bothers me about field trips is, who is the trip for? |
Anonymous
| OP here: a petting farm. BIG DEAL. My child doesn't even really like the petting zoos we've been to. They will return just before naptime. Not sure anyone considered this either but most 2 1/2 year olds will fall asleep on the bus on the way back and possibly "ruin" their naps. So it's not any less work for the teachers when they have a class full of toddlers who won't nap from 1-2:30 as usual. I just don't want to be the only "mean parent" who does not allow her child to go. I will address the concern about care with the director. It is just preposterous to set it up in this way. |
Anonymous
| No way. For a bunch of reasons. |
Anonymous
| Wow! Sounds like we have a ton of uptight moms here! Who cares if their naps are "ruined," I'm pretty sure everyone's lives will continue on. Maybe your child will have a different experience going to a petting zoo with her peers than she does going with you. So you're uncomfortable with DD riding the bus, but yet even if you chaperone, you will let her ride the bus while you drive? I know I sound like super-bitch here, but I think it is mean of you not to let her go if she wants to. This is supposed to be a fun opportunity for her. |
Anonymous
LOL at "if she wants to". She's 2.5! |
Anonymous
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I'm pretty laid back about a lot of things when it comes to my kid, but a field trip for toddlers? No. Effing. Way. Not only does it sound miserable for the adults, I just don't trust a handful of people to handle a large group of young children outside the care center. That's asking for trouble in my opinion. Why don't they get a petting zoo to come to the daycare? It's bound to be cheaper or on par with the cost to haul out all those 2.5yo's with carseats on a bus.
Sorry, OP, this sucks for you. But it's not worth it. |
Anonymous
| My 15 month old went on 6 field trips this summer. I think the max travel time each way was 30 mins. Hum, I never gave it a moment's worry. It always made me happy to think he was out there enjoying the summer rather than being cooped up inside. Different strokes for different folks. |
Anonymous
| If it was a shorter travel time to get to the location, I would allow it. My son loves to get out and about, I bet he would have fun. |