Action 5: Transport Children Safely

Action 5. Transport Children Safely

Transportation is an essential service that makes it possible for many children to attend a Head Start program. In a culture of safety, your program ensures children get to and from your facility safely. Your program can provide safety training to children, families, and staff, whether they ride the school bus, walk or ride a bicycle, ride in their family vehicle, or take public transportation. 

Safe transportation also includes procedures for authorized release and evacuation. Train bus monitors and drivers on installing and using child passenger restraint systems and how to help children get on and off the bus safely.

Bus monitors should use a sign-in sheet with child photos to document when children board or leave the bus to ensure no child is dropped at the wrong location or released to someone who is not authorized to receive them. An authorized staff member should sign off on the bus sign-in sheet once all children are in their care at the program.

Family members or other authorized individuals should sign the bus sign in sheet when their child is dropped off at the end of the day. The bus monitor and driver should scan the bus and check each seat at the end of every trip to make sure no children are still onboard. 

Having two people inspect the bus is an example of a redundant system. Redundant means you have two or more ways to make sure a child is never left alone on a bus. You can also teach families about using a redundant system for their own drop off routine, so they never leave their child in their vehicle. For example, they can keep an item like a teddy bear in the back and put the bear up front to remind them their child is in their car seat, or put a purse or phone in the back with their child. 

For families who walk, bicycle, or take public transportation with their children to your program, you should provide reminders about: where it is safe to ride or walk, where to cross traffic, where to park bicycles, using properly installed age- and size-appropriate bicycle carriers, using well-fitted helmets, and modeling safe pedestrian behaviors.

You can also provide guidance to families who bring their children by car on: your program's procedures for vehicle traffic at drop off and pickup, how to get and use age- and size-appropriate car seats or booster seats, and where to find a Certified Child Passenger Safety Technician to help them install and use their seat correctly.

We are all responsible for implementing a culture of safety in all places children spend time in our care, including during transportation to and from the program.