Field Trip Issues What To Do??

[lvt77]

My DC goes on FT once a week. Park, local library, farms, and places that pertain to our weekly lessons.
My policy states that parents who wish for their child not too participate in activities off of the premises are required to find alternative care for that day. At this time all of my kids participate in FT.
The issues are that one of the DCK has issues with listening and staying with the group. Often they will take off running away from all of us and putting themselves in danger. Like running into the street, or going into other unsafe places.(sometimes other kids will follow them) This happens every two minutes. Getting them to stay with the group or out safe is a huge issue.

I do have an asst. that helps me, but even they can't help control this child. I don't know what to do. Other parents have also been asking why we are not going to reading hour and other planned activities. I have had to bite my lip and tell them I was not properly staffed on those days and could not attend.....I have not even talked to the DCP about this, because I just don't know what.
My Asst. said that I should add to my policy that children with behavioral problems can lose the privilege of attending field trips and require the DCP to find alternative care....is this fair?

Uggh what should I do?? Any suggestions???

[kidkair]

How old is the kid? Have you tried to leash him? I personally don't like leashing kids but if you are unwilling to exclude him you may have no other option.

[lvt77]

I do not currently have any leashes, although I have thought about it. Can you suggest where I might be able to get one and how I would I tell the parent that I need to leash their child… it sounds horrible…but what else can I do?? BTW the kid is 3

[jen]

I would purchase a harness of some sort, he is one thats actually pretty cute...

http://comfortfirst.com/p-136107-baby-sherpa-safe2go-child-safety-harness-backpack.aspx

Have you mentioned to the parent before this that you are having trouble? If so, you can just tell them that this is the solution so that Jr. can continue to attend.

If not, you will need to provide the background and express your concerns. Then let them know that he won't be able to attend, for his own safety, without a the harness.

I wouldn't call it a leash! LOL!

[SilverSabre25]

Target carries them in the baby section. I think they have the Eddie Bauer ones that are like backpacks and look like a monkey or a puppy or a bear. It's really *not that bad* to use a harness, although a 3yo might fight it. I come from a school of attachment parenting and I don't see a problem with using one in certain types of situations, and as long as you're leading/being led by the child, rather than dragging them.

I don't think you'd need to mention it to the parents

Another option would be a stroller--just a cheapo umbrella type, and explain to him that because you can't trust him to run off, he must ride in the stroller. You could even give him a choice--do you want the harness, or the stroller?

I'm going to be honest and say that by 3, most children have gotten over that stage; I'm guessing he has impulse control problems, and may very well be diagnosed with ADHD/similar in the future.

[mommyof3]

I got my own child one of this back bag leash at walmarkt about $10/15.
For my daycare I have a walking rope I orderd it at Constructive Playthings about$20,its wort the price for me to kip the children safe .

[lvt77]

Wow guys thanks so much.. I like the backpack idea. I also like the walking rope idea. I am going to give the backpack idea a try.
I did try a stroller, two issues with that.
one---- it requires both of my hands, giving less hands to help others
two----child takes off all the time. maybe would work best for story hour...

[missnikki]

First off, you need to document this repeated behavior and make the parents aware. If something were to happen (God forbid) then you would have to admit you knew it was an issue previously. The parents need to know.

My handbook states:
"FIELD TRIP BEHAVIOR
Appropriate behavior is mandatory on all field trips. Should your child exercise poor behavior while on a trip, you may be called and asked to pick up your child. Please make sure to alert staff if you will not be reachable, and provide us with any names and numbers of authorized alternate people to call should such contact need to be made. Please speak with your children regarding these issues as poor behavior jeopardizes the entire group’s safety and fun.

Occasionally, we will be walking to our destination. All campers are expected to obey all street signs and postings, as well as all instructions from their Camp Leader. Failure to do so is a safety risk, and any child posing a safety threat to themselves or the group will be restricted from full participation as deemed necessary by staff. Repeated offenses will result in non-admittance to future field trips."

Mind you, I work with School Age but it is a safety issue regardless.

[Preschool/daycare teacher]

I can sure sympathize. We don't have enough room in vehical for all of our children (it holds 5 and even on our slowest days there's still at least 8), but even if we had a big 15 passenger van, we still wouldn't be able to take some of them (one in particular, really), because of the reasons you talked about.
I personally think your assistant had a really good suggestion (adding to your policy that for behavior issues a child would be excluded). Can you put in your policy that you'll be taking field trips, however, if a child loses that priviledge due to repeated unsafe actions (or however you'd word that), and even after parents have worked with you to correct the behavior, that the child will no longer be allowed to participate, and parent is responsible for finding alternate care on those days? Then after giving out new policy, when you again try to take a field trip and it doesn't work with the child you're having trouble with, be honest with his parents and talk to the them about it and see what they say, if they have any suggestions for you (then they feel like you're coming to them for advice rather than putting them on the defensive), try out their advice for the next time you take field trip. If that doesn't work, again go to them for advice, letting them know it didn't work, and that you'll give it one more chance before you have to exclude him. Once you let them know you can't take him on Field trips anymore and if they get mad, tell them how bad you feel about it and all, and mention that maybe they'd like to attend field trips with their child or they could find someone else to go with you to watch him so that you are not responsible. Most likely the parent wouldn't do that, or say they couldn't due to work (which would probably be true), but at least you gave them an option! and even tried to make an exception to the policy (reminding them of what they signed). IDK, but that's just something that sounds like the only option to me. Although, if you did do that, you may want to make field trips a once monthly thing insetad one once weekly, because they'd be furious at having to find alternate care one day every week. That would be a little unrealistic to expect. If a 3 yr old isn't going to listen and behave they simply can't attend FT, and it wouldn't be right for everyone else to miss out because of one child. I'd be unhappy to be a parent and think that even though my own child listens and all the other children, too, they won't be able to attend anymore because of ONE child's actions. Sounds like he's not used to having to listen. Maybe he doesn't have to at home...? How does he do at daycare? Is he okay then, or is the behavior the same? Is it something you'd be okay with if the parents did get mad about having to find alternate care on those days, and ended up pulling him out?

[lvt77]

you seem to have lots of knowledge....I really like your DCPolicy on FT.. Mind if I steal it....

I have documented the behavior issue and spoke to the parent about it, but thats all we do is discuss it, we have not come up with a resolution.

[mac60]

I made my own when my kids were young. It wrapped around their wrist and attached to my wrist. Quite easy to make and worked well.

[Abigail]

I forgot how large your group is, but when we take walks with the kids it is a stroller in the front for two children pushed by one child care provider. The walking rope with loops on it is tied to the stroller handle. We have 7-8 kids on the walking rope and I'm usually at the end walking behind them not hanging onto the rope....thank goodness because they hold the rope at my knee level! LOL. We just arrange all the kids in order according to age first, so the younger ones are up front to lead the speed of the walk and just to have a few extra eyes on them (the older kids in back). IF even one person lets go of the rope, we all stop. It turns into a group effort where every child helps get the child who let go to hang on again. Sometimes we stand an entire minute before they do, but we will not carry them. We go over the rules everyday before we leave the building and talk about our walking trip in the morning and mention it the day before. I think weekly trips are a bit excessive, bi-weekly is still often. I would try the walking rope first, then the backpack method second....I'm just not sure if the "leash/backpack" method is allowed in licensed daycares so don't get yourself in trouble. If all else fails, you should put the three year old in time out when you return from your trip if he expresses poor behavior and stick to it. Last resort, tell the parents on field trip days this month or the next so-many that he'll not be allowed to attend. It's not a permanent change, but if the parents need to find care for two days a month, then they might be talking to him about it at home to help you more or simply get frustrated and change daycares. LOL Sory it got kind of long.

[lvt77]

I have 6 kids total..... our field trips are usually to our HOA park, walking distance (weather permitting) and reading hour at the local library when it's cold out...We do not have a large play yard area, so it is important that the kids have enough space to play.
As for putting the child in time out does not really help them running off. No matter what I do this kid runs....maybe they should be in track n field, I bet they would rock at it..... but on the serious side, I just don't know what to do....People come to my DC because of the teaching that I do and then carry it off site to further the lesson. so everyone knows that it is a weekly thing.

[kathiemarie]

Would your helper be able to stay back at your house with him? Explain to him that becasue of his past behavior you can not trust him not to run off. Or could she just be in charge of him on the FT? I have a DC of 5 or 6 and we go out all of the time without a helper.

[Crystal]

I would talk to the parent and let them know that if it continues they will need to find alternate care for FT days. Trust me, they will not be surprised that he behaves this way with you, as he surely does it with them as well.

Give him the warning that the next time he behaves that way he will not be able to go again and then follow through. If he has to miss a FT, I'd make it a REALLY good one so he KNOWS he's missing out on something he'd really like to do. It may stick with him and then he may decide he'd rather stay with the group so he can attend your FT.