Would you let your toddler go on a field trip with daycare?

[Anonymous]

My child's childcare did a field trip this summer. There were lots of volunteers to go with them. (I was one of them.) I was assigned to 2 students and other parents had a similar number. The best part of the field trip for many of the kids was the bus ride. The berry picking was secondary. It was lots of fun for all the students. They were well supervised. They picked berries, ate their lunches and then played on the playground and then the bus ride home. Bus ride had DVD player, so kids could either look out the windows or watch DVD.

Ask about how much supervision. My child had just turned 3 when this happened.

[Anonymous]

I know I should just not respond to these posts but I can't help myself. My toddler goes on day care field trips on buses and they don't even have car seats. I never worried for a second. And she's had a great time everytime. When asked her favorite part, it's always "riding on the school bus!" She'd probably be thrilled to just drive around for 2 hours and not even have a real destination.

My day care center's leaders are professionals and I trust their judgement. They have been doing this a lot longer than I have.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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.

Plenty of people. I'm one of them (when my child still religiously napped.) She needed it and was much happier. You are not like that? Great. But, to belittle those who value naps is uncalled for. ANd, just bitchy for no reason.

As for the field trip - the only issue I would have is the 1 hour EACH WAY for a freakin' petting zoo. Payoff def not worth the price. I would question their judgment as to why it is necessary to go so far for this type of thing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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.

I agree. My 3 yo is a wanderer and tends to go off in different directions. I'd be afraid he would get lost at that age. When he's older, I'd feel more comfortable letting him to with a big group. Every mother is different.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I know I should just not respond to these posts but I can't help myself. My toddler goes on day care field trips on buses and they don't even have car seats. I never worried for a second. And she's had a great time everytime. When asked her favorite part, it's always "riding on the school bus!" She'd probably be thrilled to just drive around for 2 hours and not even have a real destination.

My day care center's leaders are professionals and I trust their judgement. They have been doing this a lot longer than I have.

This is crazy! They just perch them on seats and hope for the best?

[Anonymous]

3 hrs and 2 of them are in the car? No. Simply because the logistics are so poorly planned, I can't imagine how well it will be planned out and work the day of. Specifically supervision.

[Anonymous]

Agreed with the person who said no way. I love my toddler's daycare, and I trust the teachers there, but why take the risk in some location like that? I couldn't relax the whole time she was gone - just not worth it.

(And the bus ride alone makes it sound like a silly trip, but that's a separate issue.)

[Anonymous]

My DD's daycare takes the 3-5/6 year olds on field trips once a week, which she loves. She is 3. It is great stimulation for them, even being on the bus, which makes DD feel like a big kid (her brother is in K and rides the bus...). There are teachers, and parents and at least my kids seem to be better behaved at school/with teachers than they are at home (ie DD would not hesitate to run away from me, but wouldn't do the same w/ a teacher).

Just join them if you are nervous so you can see the situation and be comfortable (or not) for the next time. Also, FWIW, the kids talk about their trips alot before and after, your DC might feel a little left out.

[Anonymous]

I would let her go. Sorry to break it to you guys but 2.5yrs is not a spring chicken. It will be fine.

[Anonymous]

I wouldn't have a problem with it at all. I agree that the kids will find the bus ride as much fun as anything else. Honestly, it wouldn't occur to me to be bothered. I say this as a mother of an almost three year old who is going on a pumpkin patch field trip with day care soon.

[Anonymous]

I have said yes to these - but wish there was an alternative.

With our daycare, if you say no to a field trip, you must find alternate childcare for the day. They will not just move the child to another class OR have a teacher or 2 stay behind.

My experience is that the trip may be scheduled to get back right before nap time - but inevitably does not so the kids either fall asleep on the bus (note - the bus we have set up for the 2-5 YOs does not have car seats) OR they fall asleep an hour late - and then the whole afternoon / evening is a mess and it takes 2 days to recover.

[Anonymous]

NO way in hell!

[Anonymous]

Field trips are pretty common at daycares - most parents like them as a form of enrichment from what I can tell. Ours takes kids in the 2s, 3s, and 4s rooms on field trips, using regular elementary school buses. No car seats that I'm aware of. My son loved getting to ride on a school bus and it helped get him ready for that experience in K. We're nap nazis but never saw the field trips as a big issue on that count. I'm surprised at the slightly hysterical reaction here. Presumably you knew that the daycare did field trips when you enrolled your child there?

[Anonymous]

My son's day care often took field trips via metro bus and the metro. I never worried - he loved the trips and his teachers and parent volunteers were totally attentive to the kids.

[Anonymous]

I am sure my 2YO DS will love the bus ride most about his first upcoming preschool field trip. I get excited just thinking about how thrilled he will be.