Just For Fun: Field Trips/Outtings....

[Starburst]

1. Does (or will) your program offer field trips or outtings? If so where do you usually take them? if no, why not?

If you do have field trips:

2. Are they only for certain age groups or available for all the kids in your program (even babies)?

3. Do you take your assistants or do they stay with left over children (or do they go and you stay)?

4. If you assistant does go with you, do you pay for your assistants or do your assistance pay? Can they bring their kids/family? If so, do they have to pay for them too?

5. Do the parents pay for field trip fees/transportation or do you offer it for free? Do they have to be responsible for only their own children or a small group of daycare kids?

6. Do you provide transportation or do the parents (meet them there)? Do you walk, drive, take a bus?

7. Do you let parents volunteer? Do you have any rules they need to follow? Do they need to pay for any admission fees or transport their child and themselves?

8. Do you allow kids to go on field trips that are on days that they are not normally in your daycare? If so do they need to pay extra (for the day)? Or does their parent have to attend with them and transport themselves?

9. If most of the parents sign up for a field trip but one or two do not, than do you provide alternative care (a sub/assistant/recommend another provider) or do they need to find alternative care (if so do they still pay you for the day)? Do you cancel?

10. Do you only offer field trips for parents that are fully paid up on their regular child care payments?

[LK5kids]

I only do walking field trips.

Library, police station, post office, fire station & a green house are within walking distance.
I do not want to transfer kids in vehicles at this time.

I have never really liked ftrips. They always stress me out.

I encourage parents to walk with us or meet us there.

I do not let families have past due accounts.

[Michelle]

I do walking and driving field trips... the parents never go and I have an assistant.
We usually get family annual passes to places like the Aquarium, science centers, zoo etc. and the kids get in free..
I only have full time so all the kids go and sometimes I stay home with the babies if the weather is bad and I don't want the babies out in it.
The parents never pay for field trips but sometimes I suggest spending money for the older kids for gift shops etc.

Field trips are totally awesome and they learn sooo much from them!
I would never do daycare without field trips!

[SquirrellyMama]

I do field trips with all ages. I don't have any under 2 right now but I would take babies along also. I don't have parents pay extra for field trips. I'm not a big daycare so I don't have assistants. I also don't have families come along.

I would not take a child on a field trip if they weren't scheduled that day.

Our field trips include: science center, zoo, plays, symphony, musicals, state parks, botanical center, etc...

K

[melilley]

I am not doing field trips besides the walks around the neighborhood. I can only have six so I don't have an assistant and I would feel too nervous taking them by myself! My age range is 6 weeks to 5 years.

[SquirrellyMama]

Another thing I used to do when my own kids were little and I had little dck's... I would buy all of them the same color shirt and then we'd fabric paint it. I then knew what everyone was wearing.

Now, I usually take a pic of everyone with my phone so I have a very recent picture.

K

[Blackcat31]

1. Does (or will) your program offer field trips or outtings? If so where do you usually take them? if no, why not?

We occassionally do field trips.

2. Are they only for certain age groups or available for all the kids in your program (even babies)?

Sometimes I exclude kids in diapers and sometimes not. TOTALLY depends on the specific field trip and the activities we have planned

3. Do you take your assistants or do they stay with left over children (or do they go and you stay)?

I don't have assistants other than my own kids and my DH. Usually DH goes with me. If I need to leave anyone behind, the parents usually make other care arrangements for that day.

4. If you assistant does go with you, do you pay for your assistants or do your assistance pay? Can they bring their kids/family? If so, do they have to pay for them too?

It's my DH so.... I'd prefer he not bring his kids....they are kind of unruly at times...(:: he has no other kids besides our two together, )

5. Do the parents pay for field trip fees/transportation or do you offer it for free? Do they have to be responsible for only their own children or a small group of daycare kids?

I pay for the transportation if we use it and any fees to associated with the field trip. We usually do things that are free so it isn't an issue.

6. Do you provide transportation or do the parents (meet them there)? Do you walk, drive, take a bus?

We walk 99% of the time.
We have used a bus that we rented soley for us but I split the cost with a fellow provider and both our daycare kids went

7. Do you let parents volunteer? Do you have any rules they need to follow? Do they need to pay for any admission fees or transport their child and themselves?

If parents want to volunteer they certainly can. If I really think their child would not behave well, I would not let them. I am open and honest about that with my parents.
If they do volunteer, I pay for any fees or costs necessary. They use the same transportation as the rest of us.

8. Do you allow kids to go on field trips that are on days that they are not normally in your daycare? If so do they need to pay extra (for the day)? Or does their parent have to attend with them and transport themselves?

Nope. Sometimes I schedule field trips BECAUSE a certain child isn't in attendance for that day.

9. If most of the parents sign up for a field trip but one or two do not, than do you provide alternative care (a sub/assistant/recommend another provider) or do they need to find alternative care (if so do they still pay you for the day)? Do you cancel?

Nope. Never had a parent NOT want their child to attend a field trip.
I've had parents ask if their kid can come when a trip is planned for a day their child isn't normally in attendance but like I said, I am pretty honest and up front about why their child wasn't included.

10. Do you only offer field trips for parents that are fully paid up on their regular child care payments?

ALL my parents are fully paid up on their child care costs. I have no issues with non-payment.

[Lyss]

Does (or will) your program offer field trips or outtings? If so where do you usually take them? if no, why not?

I do field trips with my DCKs. We go to the library, indoor play park, Super Bounce (giant inflatable bounce houses), children's museum, zoo, park, hiking, walking field trips, and occasionally the local McDonald's with a play place (no food, just juice or apples).

2. Are they only for certain age groups or available for all the kids in your program (even babies)?

Everybody goes. I have ages 14mos, 14 mos, 2, 4, 3 but usually never have all at the same time; Most the time its the 14mo olds the 2 year old or 14mos, 3, and 4 year olds. If it's somewhere I know the younger ones can't participate I bring toys/activities along. The little ones have been going along on field trips since 6 months.

3. Do you take your assistants or do they stay with left over children (or do they go and you stay)?

Just me, I have a small group.

5. Do the parents pay for field trip fees/transportation or do you offer it for free? Do they have to be responsible for only their own children or a small group of daycare kids?

I usually pay (I save receipts and write if off) and most the places we go that cost more (like children's museum, zoo, indoor place park) I have a yearly membership to so it doesn't cost me anything. No parents have ever came along.

6. Do you provide transportation or do the parents (meet them there)? Do you walk, drive, take a bus?

I drive or we walk. No parents have ever came along. I'm planning to do one where we take the city bus as my kids are very interested in the bus!

7. Do you let parents volunteer? Do you have any rules they need to follow? Do they need to pay for any admission fees or transport their child and themselves?

I tell them they are welcome but none ever participate. If I have room they could ride with me, if not they would have to drive. Most places we go don't charge for adults or my membership covers extra adults.

8. Do you allow kids to go on field trips that are on days that they are not normally in your daycare? If so do they need to pay extra (for the day)? Or does their parent have to attend with them and transport themselves?

I only take kids that are here on that day. If they wanted to come they'd have to pay for the daily fee. I have had a parent show up at the location when we were but they paid for themselves and child, plus they were in charge of their own child.

9. If most of the parents sign up for a field trip but one or two do not, than do you provide alternative care (a sub/assistant/recommend another provider) or do they need to find alternative care (if so do they still pay you for the day)? Do you cancel?

I've never had a parent say they didn't want their child to go. My contact says they must find other care if they don't want to participate

10. Do you only offer field trips for parents that are fully paid up on their regular child care payments?

If they aren't paid in advance I don't provide care.

[BumbleBee]

1. Does (or will) your program offer field trips or outtings? If so where do you usually take them? if no, why not?

Walking field trips/outings only. We go for walks on the trail by my house, library in town, post office, bank, etc.

If you do have field trips:

2. Are they only for certain age groups or available for all the kids in your program (even babies)?

They are for all children. However, if the littler ones are having a rough day I will leave them with my assistant and just take the older ones.

3. Do you take your assistants or do they stay with left over children (or do they go and you stay)?

Depends on how many I have and the group dynamics. Sometimes I take all of them by myself, sometimes me & my assistant take them, sometimes I take some & my assistant stays with the others or vice versa.

4. If you assistant does go with you, do you pay for your assistants or do your assistance pay? Can they bring their kids/family? If so, do they have to pay for them too?

Everything we do is free.

5. Do the parents pay for field trip fees/transportation or do you offer it for free? Do they have to be responsible for only their own children or a small group of daycare kids?

Everything we do is free. If a parent wants to come they are welcome to and they are only responsible for their children.

6. Do you provide transportation or do the parents (meet them there)? Do you walk, drive, take a bus?

We always walk

7. Do you let parents volunteer? Do you have any rules they need to follow? Do they need to pay for any admission fees or transport their child and themselves?

They are welcome to come along. Rules are control your child(ren). If you cannot control your child(ren) you will be asked to take your child(ren) and leave. I will not be responsible for a child if their parent is there. Everything we do is free. They must walk with the group-I won't allow them to "meet us there."

8. Do you allow kids to go on field trips that are on days that they are not normally in your daycare? If so do they need to pay extra (for the day)? Or does their parent have to attend with them and transport themselves?

It's my decision if a child can go on an outting on an unscheduled day. Some kids/parents are out of control and I will purposely schedule an outting when a specific child is not in attendance. If I do allow a child to go on an unscheduled day they MUST be accompanied by an adult & I refuse to be responsible for the child during the outting.

9. If most of the parents sign up for a field trip but one or two do not, than do you provide alternative care (a sub/assistant/recommend another provider) or do they need to find alternative care (if so do they still pay you for the day)? Do you cancel?

I don't do field trip sign ups. Our outtings are usually spur of the moment. I will not sign up a child without the parent(s) signing a form that says I can take their child(ren) off the child care premises because I have 2 school agers who have to be picked up from school on a daily basis (4 blocks away-we walk). I do not provide alternative care (ie my assistant) unless I am sick/injured. I use my discression on cancelling (weather, children being unruly, etc) but if a parent has a temper tantrum about their kid(s) being off the property they can find other care as far as I'm concerned. All families in my dc only pay for the days used.

10. Do you only offer field trips for parents that are fully paid up on their regular child care payments?

If they haven't paid, they aren't here (no pay no stay) so it's a non-issue

I answered in bold above. Great questions.

[MissSarah]

I don't have any kids right now so I'm basing my answers on the kids I last had and will hopefully have again soon (both sets of parents laid off work )

1. Does (or will) your program offer field trips or outtings? If so where do you usually take them? if no, why not? Yes we do field trips...but just to places like the park, library and occasionally the museum. I would like to take them to the wildlife park this year though.

If you do have field trips:

2. Are they only for certain age groups or available for all the kids in your program (even babies)? All kids

3. Do you take your assistants or do they stay with left over children (or do they go and you stay)? no assistant

4. If you assistant does go with you, do you pay for your assistants or do your assistance pay? Can they bring their kids/family? If so, do they have to pay for them too? see above answer

5. Do the parents pay for field trip fees/transportation or do you offer it for free? Do they have to be responsible for only their own children or a small group of daycare kids? I pay for all costs

6. Do you provide transportation or do the parents (meet them there)? Do you walk, drive, take a bus? We walk or take the bus depending on where we're going

7. Do you let parents volunteer? Do you have any rules they need to follow? Do they need to pay for any admission fees or transport their child and themselves? I don't let the parents volunteer...the kids behave differently with their parents there and it just makes the trip more stressful for me.

8. Do you allow kids to go on field trips that are on days that they are not normally in your daycare? If so do they need to pay extra (for the day)? Or does their parent have to attend with them and transport themselves? Only kids that are scheduled that day will come...if it's a really special field trip I might let them come on an unscheduled day. If that's the case I would still pay the cost for them.

9. If most of the parents sign up for a field trip but one or two do not, than do you provide alternative care (a sub/assistant/recommend another provider) or do they need to find alternative care (if so do they still pay you for the day)? Do you cancel? I've never had a parent say they didn't want their child going on a field trip so I don't know what I'd do :confused: Probably reschedule it for a day their child wouldn't be there.

10. Do you only offer field trips for parents that are fully paid up on their regular child care payments? Well I have a strict no pay - no play policy so if they weren't fully paid up their child wouldn't be there anyway but I wouldn't purposely exclude them...that's just how it would work out.

[ChesneyM]

1. Does (or will) your program offer field trips or outtings? If so where do you usually take them?
Yes I do, we go to the park, library, museums, old west towns, petting zoos, childrens museums, and anywhere else I come across that is toddler friendly.


2. Are they only for certain age groups or available for all the kids in your program (even babies)?

I take everyone.

3. Do you take your assistants or do they stay with left over children (or do they go and you stay)?

If I have more than three that day, I take an assistant, my sister or a close friend will help for the day.

4. If you assistant does go with you, do you pay for your assistants or do your assistance pay? Can they bring their kids/family? If so, do they have to pay for them too?

Noone I have help has their own children, but if they did I would pay for my assistant to go, but not for their children, they would have to pay.

5. Do the parents pay for field trip fees/transportation or do you offer it for free? Do they have to be responsible for only their own children or a small group of daycare kids?

I pay for all transportation, most of the places I go are free or less than $4 per child, anything over that I ask for the parents to chip in and most of them do so with no problem.

6. Do you provide transportation or do the parents (meet them there)? Do you walk, drive, take a bus?

We walk to the park, everywhere else we drive, I drive a Dodge Caravan, room for 5 car seats in the back and one helper with me in the front!

7. Do you let parents volunteer? Do you have any rules they need to follow? Do they need to pay for any admission fees or transport their child and themselves?

If they want to volunteer I most definitely would not tell them no, they would have to follow any rules I have for the daycare kids, and yes, they would need to pay for their own admission.

8. Do you allow kids to go on field trips that are on days that they are not normally in your daycare? If so do they need to pay extra (for the day)? Or does their parent have to attend with them and transport themselves?

Nope. Sometimes I schedule field trips BECAUSE a certain child isn't in attendance for that day. Or try to schedule for when everyone is there if it would be a good fit for everyone.

9. If most of the parents sign up for a field trip but one or two do not, than do you provide alternative care (a sub/assistant/recommend another provider) or do they need to find alternative care (if so do they still pay you for the day)? Do you cancel?

Nope, I've never had a parent tell me they didn't want their child to go.

10. Do you only offer field trips for parents that are fully paid up on their regular child care payments?

I have no issues with non-payment.

[renodeb]

I 'am licensed for 6 kids, I usually have 4-5 kids. 6 weeks - 3 years. We drive most of the time, some walking field trips. It really depends on how many I have day to day. If we go any where we go to the park, the playroom (indoor play place), water park, and sometimes the library but thats only if I have an older group. Its just me so I only go if theres few enough kids! I dont have anyone that is behind on payments.
Deb

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

I don't. I don't want to have to purchase a large van, I don't want to have to purchase more expensive insurance, and I don't want the liability.

I DO think it would be fun, but it isn't worth it to me. Many of my clients loved that I don't do field trips because they didn't want anyone driving their kids. Some days I would love nothing more than to just GO somewhere. Anywhere! ::

[kitykids3]

1. Does (or will) your program offer field trips or outtings? If so where do you usually take them? if no, why not?
Yes, I take them out - zoo, Betty Brinn, parks, Chuck E Cheese, Domes, art museum, museum, wading pools, indoor play places etc.
If you do have field trips:

2. Are they only for certain age groups or available for all the kids in your program (even babies)?
[COLOR="rgb(255, 0, 255)"]All kiddos I take[/COLOR]
3. Do you take your assistants or do they stay with left over children (or do they go and you stay)?
Depends on the trip and if my assistant is here. If I only have 5 kids or less that can fit in the van than they all go and she comes with if she is here. If we take walks, she comes. If I have more than 5 kids, then she stays with the younger ones and I take the older ones.
4. If you assistant does go with you, do you pay for your assistants or do your assistance pay? Can they bring their kids/family? If so, do they have to pay for them too?
Usually there is no charge if they come (I usually get a yearly pass that will include 2 adults). If there is, then the business pays for it. No their family does not get to come. She is here to work, help me, not have a fun day.
5. Do the parents pay for field trip fees/transportation or do you offer it for free? Do they have to be responsible for only their own children or a small group of daycare kids?
I usually offer for free unless we are going to one of the indoor play places that charges like $7 per kid. Then I'll pass some or all of that cost onto the parents depending on my financial situation at the time. None of them care to occasionally pay.
6. Do you provide transportation or do the parents (meet them there)? Do you walk, drive, take a bus?
The parents don't go. I take them, in my minivan
7. Do you let parents volunteer? Do you have any rules they need to follow? Do they need to pay for any admission fees or transport their child and themselves?
I've never had a parent volunteer or come along, they're working.
8. Do you allow kids to go on field trips that are on days that they are not normally in your daycare? If so do they need to pay extra (for the day)? Or does their parent have to attend with them and transport themselves?
No I don't. My field trips are for who I have in care that day. That is usually what determines when and where we go on field trips.
9. If most of the parents sign up for a field trip but one or two do not, than do you provide alternative care (a sub/assistant/recommend another provider) or do they need to find alternative care (if so do they still pay you for the day)? Do you cancel?
I've never had a parent say no to a field trip. All of them love that I offer and take their kids out. If it was something I really wanted to do that day, then I would tell them they'd either have to let their child come along or keep them home.
10. Do you only offer field trips for parents that are fully paid up on their regular child care payments?
They don't even get child care unless they are paid in advance.