How far is too far for an outing?

[Anonymous]

I'm just wondering how far you usually drive your charge/charges for an outing. I've been allowed to drive my charge since he turned 1 and its been really great and definitely needed for both of us. We usually go to places within a few miles but I'm kind of running out of things to do. Their is a toddler gym class about 12 miles/20 minutes away offering a class that I think he might love, but I'm wondering if that's too far.

I'd also love to take him to the beach (also about 20 mins away) sometime just to play in the sand and in the sprinklers they have for kids. I guess I will have to talk to his parents I just hate to ask and have them feel uncomfortable and have to say no. The furthest I drive him now is about 6 miles each way to swim class. Thanks all.

[Anonymous]

My last job I drove their DC all over the place. Two hours to the zoo, 45 min to the museum, 3 hours to visit grandma in the nursing home (huge HUGE nanny points for this one, although I really liked MBs mom, even if she didn't). We rarely stayed close to home. As long as I was back by 6, MB never once asked where we went. That's been the ONLY free range job I've had though. Most MBs prefer a 30min max of driving one way (or less)

[Anonymous]

We drive all over. 5 minutes to swim lessons, 30 minutes to my pool, 10 minutes to juijitsu, 45 minutes to the occupational therapist, etc. I tend to keep field trips within an hours drive which works well for us.

[Anonymous]

I think anything less then 30 minutes is completely reasonable, but definitely clear it with the parents first.

[Anonymous]

We drive to the zoo which is 40 minutes away, the museum is about 45 minutes away, the aquarium is an hour away and we also drove to a new zoo last week that was an hour and a half away. MB/DB are super laid back about me taking the kids places so they don't mind at all. I do text MB to let her know where we will be going if we are going to be driving over 30 minutes to go somewhere.

[Anonymous]

I think a lot of this has to do with the ages of your charges and how long you've been with your family. A one year-old doesn't benefit much from an hour each way in the car to spend two hours at an aquarium when there is fun stuff closer to home. A three year-old on the other hand might love it. Also, at first, we preferred our nanny to stay closer to home or only drive to specific locations. As she was with us longer and we developed a much closer relationship, we became much more comfortable with her taking DC further away - which was also much more age appropriate by then.

[Anonymous]

I would definitely bring this issue up w/his parents, but for the most part, between 30-45 min. is ideal.

[Anonymous]

I agree with PP that the ages of the children matter. I think 20 minutes to a play class or the beach is perfectly fine. An hour or two to the zoo or acquarium is not appropriate for a 1 yr old but would be great for a three year old.

[Anonymous]

Is cost a factor? Since we provide our nanny with a car to drive the kids, I'd be ok with longer trips from time to time, but if I was reimbursing the nanny at the IRS rate, I'd be less likely to approve.