Our school requires parents of 2YOs to attend field trips. Other classes have 3 chaperones, plus some parents attend - it's rare that a parent chaperone has to watch more than 2 kids. Also, kids definitely behave MUCH better for other adults - totally not the same as if I took my kids to the zoo or whatever.

I've chaperoned a few field trips. There are usually way more chaperoned than needed. I think at the last one I did, the ratio was less than 2:1. I want to say it was 20 kids with 4 teachers and 8-10 parents.

I also don't think bullying of the way you are conceiving of it is a major risk at that age. Yes, I know ages 2-5 are always chippy with each other, but in my experience its more "you just did something I found offensive and I am going to lash out and shove you." It is rarely just "fuck it, I'm going to push you into a street."

Our teachers are really good at managing the kids, and kids generally behave better for teachers than for parents. I've never heard of any incidence of bullying. The teachers would stop that shit right away.

For field trips, they usually have extra adults, in the form of parent chaperones.

Our preschool required 2 or 3 parent volunteers for each field trip.

For trips to busy places like museums, they only took 5 or 6 kids at a time.

I wouldn't allow it but I would assume kids act much better with teachers than with their parents. They probably get into a rhythm or routine and its no big deal. My kid is very well behaved at school, and while well behaved for us, not early as well behaved.

I've been reading up on some posts and have also attended school tours that mention about kids holding on to a rope when they're going on a field trip. How does this prevent bullying kids from pushing younger/smaller kids down a dangerous terrain or onto a busy road? Also, kids can misbehave and let go of their peers' hands and wander on their own. How do the teachers/ facilitators prevent these potential mishaps?