Daycare fieldtrip?

ASmallWonder

I went to pick Aiden up at daycare today and they informed they'd be going on a fieldtrip tomorrow into the city -taking the subway.  There are a bunch of free things every Friday in the summer and they're taking all the kids and asked me if that was ok.  I was surprised that they didn't give ANY notice and sort of just said yes, do you need a stroller (they have one).  When I told DH he wasn't fond of the idea at all and now I'm not so sure myself :-/  I can keep him home tomorrow but what if they want to do a free event every Friday?  We can't take every Friday off from now until Labor Day.  Am I being a paranoid FTM?

amy5162

I would not feel comfortable with it.

ABColeslaw

Oh fuuck that!  I wouldn't want anyone aside from me or my hubbs to take Asher on the subway and into the city.  Seriously, I would not want him to go. 

megann831

I would not be ok with that.  I'd keep him home tomorrow and talk to them in the monday.  Tell them you're not comfortable with him being out and you'll need someone to stay with him at the daycare in the future. 

Chels1222

That just seems dangerous.  If they were going somewhere like the library I would be okay but just out to the city on subways is asking for an issue with young children.  I would be keeping my dd home and talking to them on Monday about it for sure.

ABColeslaw

Ali do you have tomorrow off?  If not I can take Aiden for the day. 

Mrs.Pumpkin

IMHO it is not ok.  We had a story recently around here where a two year old died on a daycare field trip.  Not to scare you but I think under 4 or 5 is too young.

PrettyInPearls23

DS goes to an in-home DCP, and they go on field trips every Friday. However, they travel by a small school bus that she owns and it's never to the "city". Today they went to a planetarium, and the week before they went to a petting zoo/dairy farm/ice cream shop. Things like that.

I'd feel uncomfortable with it, especially given the fact they didn't give you any prior notice.

ABColeslaw

PrettyInPearls23:

DS goes to an in-home DCP, and they go on field trips every Friday. However, they travel by a small school bus that she owns and it's never to the "city". Today they went to a planetarium, and the week before they went to a petting zoo/dairy farm/ice cream shop. Things like that.

I'd feel uncomfortable with it, especially given the fact they didn't give you any prior notice.

Umm Brody is adorable!

mimilareaux

I would definitely not feel comfortable with them taking them on a field trip at such a young age... If you were to decline for him to go on the field trip, is there not a way for him to stay in the infant room for the day? Instead of you having to keep him out of DCP all day?

ASmallWonder

There's no way for him to stay behind - it's an in home DCP and both providers are going.  There's no way I can stay home every Friday if they want to take advantage of all these free events.  Ugh.

Dreamsicle23

I'd be totally fine with it...but I'm a slacker mom who doesn't really care about anything other than imminent death.  I think they should have given you more notice though.

groovygrl

Hmm. tough one. I would be uncomfortable too esp since they didn't tell you until today & also don't seem to have told you if they plan to do other things this summer? I think maybe I would not let him go this time and find out if they're doing more stuff like that on Fridays this summer & make decisions with more time & info.

SailorGray

I would not be comfortable with it either. Plus, we are still at the stage where I want to be there to see his firsts.  I would hate being at work knowing that I was missing out on something with DS.

JillAly

My ds goes on field trips with his daycare.  They walk on NYC streets so I was worried.  I went on one trip at the beginning to see how well they were organized, how many chaperones they had and whether they ever took their eyes off the kids.  I was impressed with my particular daycare.  They had more than enough people to chaperone, they must have counted the kids 100 times and the kids were never able just to run around- they were always herded in groups where they needed to be with a teacher in front and in back so no one was slipping through the cracks. 

 Having said all that- I dread field trips.  I feel comfortable enough to let ds go, but I bought wristbands for ds from mabel's labels that he must wear (with our phone numbers and his name).  I try to go whenever I can.  They are going to the zoo in a few weeks via subway and you better believe, I'm going on that trip!

So bottom line, go with them.  See how the teacher runs it.  Then decide if you're comfortable with it or not.

charlies-angel

I would not be ok with it at only a year old, but might feel better at least at age 3 (after potty trained). I think one is a little young for a trip like that. I worked at a daycare in NYC and we took 3-year-olds on walking trips and once went on the subway. It was very safe and organized, but I would not take children younger than 3.

ETA: If you are off or plan to take off, I would offer to chaperone the trip so you can evaluate how it goes and see if you would be comfortable for future trips.

anonsouthernbell

JillAly:

My ds goes on field trips with his daycare.  They walk on NYC streets so I was worried.  I went on one trip at the beginning to see how well they were organized, how many chaperones they had and whether they ever took their eyes off the kids.  I was impressed with my particular daycare.  They had more than enough people to chaperone, they must have counted the kids 100 times and the kids were never able just to run around- they were always herded in groups where they needed to be with a teacher in front and in back so no one was slipping through the cracks. 

 Having said all that- I dread field trips.  I feel comfortable enough to let ds go, but I bought wristbands for ds from mabel's labels that he must wear (with our phone numbers and his name).  I try to go whenever I can.  They are going to the zoo in a few weeks via subway and you better believe, I'm going on that trip!

So bottom line, go with them.  See how the teacher runs it.  Then decide if you're comfortable with it or not.

Great advice!

ASmallWonder

Unfortunately, I really can't go.  I took the day off because I have things I need to do.  I can do SOME of them if I keep him home but definitely not all but I for sure can't get any of them done if I go on this field trip.  I know he'll be in the stroller because I specifically asked about that and I KNOW they take great care of him and will do the same on this outing.  I've just never gone through this before and am imagining the worst.

greengirl0909

How many kids we talking here?

I'll say this. I have served in admin at day care centers and fought this battle.  IMO, little kids have no business on field trips. For that matter, park, post office, pet store, locally, can make nice field trips for LITTLE kids.  If you start taking them to massive large events, what is there left for them to enjoy as school age children? PLUS so many of the staff you find working in centers aren't thinking about what's best for kids, they are thinking about having a good time themselves. I know you said this was a home day care, so not the same thing, but it could be relevant.

sunandsand

Depends on the ratio...if there were 2 adults. and only 4-5 kids, and some would be in strollers, then probably. Otherwise, no.

SaranJonathan

No thanks. My DD doesnt need to go on fieldtrips at her age. Maybe when they are older.