Do you Drive?

[Sandbox Sally]

I moved back to Canada in Dec of 2010, and my Florida licence was expired. I put off getting another, as the TTC is so amazing, I haven't really needed one. Anyhow, long story short, I have had no licence or registered vehicle since I started running my day home, but recently I have obtained a licence, and we are going to look at new vehicles this weekend (DH drives a truck for work). I am excited!

Do you guys drive with your daycare children? If you do, how far, and was it a big issue with parents? My daughter has been accepted to an alternative school that is about a 10 min drive from our house, and I'd much rather drive her and pick her up than make her take the city bus on her own. I am just uncertain of how the parents will feel, as it was never brought up in any interview.

[sunnydays]

I drive with my daycare kids although not so much these days since I have morning nappers and never have enough time for outings! But we do drive to pick up my son from preschool in bad weather. None of the parents have any problem with it other than to make sure that the carseats are properly installed (although none of them have actually asked to check). However, when I started up, some parents were concerned about the driving and ended up going elsewhere. One thing to beware of if you are buying a van is that it can be hard to fit all the carseats in smaller vans. I have a Mazda MPV, which I love, but it was nearly impossible to fit three carseats on the back row...I had to buy Sunshine Kids, which are quite expensive and installing them was a pain as there wasn't any space between them. I have it in my contract that parents have the right to inspect the carseat installation. I also avoid the highway as higher speeds bring more risk. Also, if there is ever freezing rain or a snowstorm, I don't drive. You can always tell parents that you are hoping to buy a van so that you can do more outings and let them know all the fun things you will now be able to do and see what their reactions are like. Good luck! I wish I had an 8 passenger van instead of 7...but now I can't afford to trade it in!

[Inspired by Reggio]

I got an 8 seater Montana van two years ago - best investment EVER! I love the freedom it offers and the isolation during cold wet months is no longer a factor in my program cause we can get out in the rain and extreme cold!

Like any contract changeyou run the risk of it being a deal breaker for certain clients and adding transport is no different - however if this is something you NEED to be able to do for your daughters schooling you DO IT and find clients who it WILL be ok with

None of my clients had an issue with the addition and none of my new ones either ... to show them that 'safety' is my utmost concern I show them my 'insurance ryder' that proves I am covered to transport children on my ryder, I took the Carseat Installer and Safety Technician to become a 'certified car seat installer' so that I prove I have the skills to install seats properly for each age group and i continue to volunteer at carseat clinics so that I keep that skill up to date. I drew up and amended 'field trip consent forms' to include the 'van' and a place for clients where they have to choose which carseat option and direction based on their child's age, weight and height and the options my carseats have - aka I can rear face to 35 pounds if they want, I can forward face to 4feet9inches and 65 pounds in a 5 point harness and I have one 'high back booster' position for children over 40 pounds and 40 inches and ideally over 4 years of age....this helps to ease concern that a child might be place in an 'incorrect' seat or position in the car.

As for how 'far' I go ... I travel pretty much anywhere within the city limits to attend playgroups and various parks or museums and so forth on the 'standard consent' form which means we can do this at 'anytime without prior notice' to clients - they are spontaneous trips and in addition we have taken FULL DAY field trips to greater distances however with 'additional prewarned consent' from parents because it means taking the highway and so forth ... to a Farm, Maple Sugar bush, a Butterfly Conservatory, a kick ass children's museum in a neighboring city and so forth - I have yet to have anyone say NO however that could be because my policy clearly states that if the 'majority' vote to attend something those clients in the minority are free to keep their child HOME however since the program is open and offering service payment is still required cause I do not want to take a pay cut for doing something FUN for kids and I do not want to not be able to do something FUN because one client has transport issues so chances are people with transport issues have just not signed on with me due to that policy

[Mamma_Mia]

I also drive but not as often now since we only have a Mazda6......looking into getting a van this fall! Parents didn't have an issue with it and I only go out once maybe twice a week anyways. I do make it clear that I do highway drive but only if it's good enough conditions. And yes I made them all sign a release & approval. One parent has even lent their 'extra' seat for us to use for her daughter. I have 2 and can only hold 3 but its VERY tight! Anyways thakns for the tips on to which models to look into!

[Inspired by Reggio]

Ya - finding a MODEL that will fit enough carseats is key ... if I were 'skinnier' my van would fit 5 x the 5 point harness cause the one sit will flip foward with a forward facing tethered chair in it cause it tethers TO the chair base - however my boobs and butt are way too big to 'squeeze through' the space that is left to get into the backseat to do up the back two kids belts - so I can only travel if I have a child who is 40 pounds, 40 inches and ideally 4 years of age to move to the booster seat which allows me to properly flip the seat out of the way to get in there ... I could SQUEEZE back there if I HAD to I just prefer not to cause I have a bad back ... if you were thin and had a good back you could easily have 5 carseats tethered into the Montana ... mine is the 8 seater 'extended' version not sure if that makes a difference!

[Mamma_Mia]

Great to know! Thanks!!

[sunnydays]

I load the kids in the back seat through the trunk...they are all rear facing (safer anyway) and it is way easier to get them in and out! Just a little trick

[Sandbox Sally]

Thanks for all the comments! We are not looking at minivans - our biggest condenders at the moment are either a Honda Pilot, Nissan Pathfinder or an 8 seat GMC Acadia. I have been there, done that with a minivan, and I have put in my time. Time for something a little more ME. None of these cars have a third row access issue any worse than my previous minivan, so I am ready to move on, and to buy four carseats too! :S I will introduce the idea mid July. We'll see how it goes with parents. I am a little nervous, but I really don't think they'll all leave. Perhaps some will, but I have to take that risk, I guess.

[Inspired by Reggio]

I load the kids in the back seat through the trunk...they are all rear facing (safer anyway) and it is way easier to get them in and out! Just a little trick

OMG AWESOME IDEA ... I will have to look at that option to see how high my seats are if I could reach over them to do this from the back easier than trying to flip the middle row seat forward to get back there!!

[Spixie33]

I was thisclose to getting a GMC Acadia last fall (2011) so that I could have a nice looking adult car that also holds 7-8 people and I could go out with the daycare kids. It sounded awesome to be able to go to Big Als Aquarium or to parks outside our neighbourhood etc.

Unfoirtunately hubby and the pocketbook came down on my idea and squashed it like a bug. The argument was that it wasn't practical or affordable for me to buy a different vehicle just for the daycare. I got the Runabout stroller instead.

The only word of caution I would have for you BEFORE you buy anything is to call your insurance for a quote. Another daycare in my neighbourhood went and bought herself a Mini van for outings and then called the insurance about insuring it for the daycare and she was quoted nearly DOUBLE what the rate would be without using it for daycare. Needless to say she has had the van for 5 months now and never used it for daycare.

So either you face astronomical insurance or else you risk driving and hope you don't make a claim during daycare times.

I don't drive anywhere with the daycare kids personally since I only have a car and it could not hold enough kids.

Some parents during interviews are relieved that we don't drive anywhere because they are terrified of providers taking their little ones on the road.

However...since you have existing families where the issue was never really brought up - I would tell them as a fact rather than asking them their permission.

I would just say "we are getting a van and it is going to be so exciting to get out with the kids since we couldn't ever do that before."

Then see how they react and then do a consent form that just covers you for basic permission to travel with you via vehicle in proper, lawful child restraints.

Good luck !