Stressing about EI Transition

zoeyandsummersmom

We are about 7 months out of my DD turning 3, but with our stellar nanny leaving I am stressing about next year and what to do with DD. We are unsure what services she will receive from the school system. We may consider a full day preschool/daycare program if they are able to accommodate her g-tube needs (if she still has them by the fall). 

Has anyone done the busing for getting their child from their childcare to the school services and back? Can you tell me about it? The idea of my little peanut on a bus is quite overwhelming. We live in a high COL area and not working for either my husband or me is just not an option. I just don't know how others make this work.

kcisthebombdotcom

I am a sahm but my dd does take the bus. I was pretty adamantly against it but dh told me I was crazy and to give it a try and if she doesn't do well we could always stop it. It was the best decision ever--dd absolutely loves the bus. I think if you chat about it at your transition meeting they will be able to ease any worries you have. You can also follow the bus as well if it helps.

kcisthebombdotcom

-auntie- said:

Where I live, most preschool aged kids "on the bus" for delivery for school district services are in IU minivans.

A lot of kids find the bus is the best part of the day.

Ours is an actual bus (one of the smaller ones, but a bus). They have convertible seats/boosters on them as well. It's pretty neat.

smerka

KC_13 said:

-auntie- said:

Where I live, most preschool aged kids "on the bus" for delivery for school district services are in IU minivans.

A lot of kids find the bus is the best part of the day.

Ours is an actual bus (one of the smaller ones, but a bus). They have convertible seats/boosters on them as well. It's pretty neat.

This is our situation pretty much exactly. Both of my boys love the bus. There is an aide on the bus that helps them get into their seats.

bumpuser511563

I have done this arrangement for the past 3 years. This year is our last year at the district preschool.

Actually we have had 3 different day cares for the past 3 years but the same district preschool. You must express at your iep meeting where they will do drop off and pick up. Any changes that happen to drop offs and pick ups should be reported to the teachers and they can make arrangements immediately.

There is an aide on the bus at all times and the day care has one person that will meet with the bus aide to escort the kids on and off the bus.

zoeyandsummersmom

What about car seats? My DD is not even 25 lbs yet. She's a tiny peanut. I am sure she will be by 3 but she is still pretty small not to be buckled into something. I do worry about her not having 1 on 1 attention all day like she does now, but I know preschool will be good prep for school. 

MirandaHobbes

They have carseats, don't worry. My son started riding the bus before he was 2 years old! We always had the "short" bus from daycare to school and back. The hardest part was that I wasn't there for dropoff or pickup, so I never even met his bus driver or aide. I loathed and detested the bus (still do, actually) but it is a necessary evil. Your DS will surprise you with how independent she'll become. It'll be good for her! It's hard letting go, but a necessary skill. By the time she starts kindy she'll be an old pro.

zoeyandsummersmom

MirandaHobbes said:

They have carseats, don't worry. My son started riding the bus before he was 2 years old! We always had the "short" bus from daycare to school and back. The hardest part was that I wasn't there for dropoff or pickup, so I never even met his bus driver or aide. I loathed and detested the bus (still do, actually) but it is a necessary evil. Your DS will surprise you with how independent she'll become. It'll be good for her! It's hard letting go, but a necessary skill. By the time she starts kindy she'll be an old pro.

Thank you! Thank you everyone. I am just so worried about putting her in a daycare/group setting all day again and it being too much for her.

MirandaHobbes

dcmetrobride said:

MirandaHobbes said:

They have carseats, don't worry. My son started riding the bus before he was 2 years old! We always had the "short" bus from daycare to school and back. The hardest part was that I wasn't there for dropoff or pickup, so I never even met his bus driver or aide. I loathed and detested the bus (still do, actually) but it is a necessary evil. Your DS will surprise you with how independent she'll become. It'll be good for her! It's hard letting go, but a necessary skill. By the time she starts kindy she'll be an old pro.

Thank you! Thank you everyone. I am just so worried about putting her in a daycare/group setting all day again and it being too much for her.

It never ends. I worry constantly, but I have to say- DS is almost 6 now and we've had just a few incidents over the years which is a pretty good track record. Today I'm stressing because he's in a new group of 40-50 kids (school release program during spring break), none of whom he knows, all of whom are older, and they're boarding a bus- during a snow storm- to go to an (indoor) amusement park, with somewhat spotty supervision (think apathetic college kids). I've sent 5 emails and 2 voicemails reminding them to keep an eye on him. I never know if I'm worrying too much or too little and then I worry that I'm not worrying enough or too much.

One weird silver lining for us, with all the EI and ECSE services DS has received, he takes transitions in stride. There's a kid in his class (ASD) who still can't handle going on playdates without a parent. My son barely says goodby and he's off- tonight he's staying at a hotel with my parents so DH and I can have a night alone. I like to think that's because he's been exposed to so many different settings and is pretty independent. Every kid is different though I guess.