Rules for pickup & dropoff from school?

Question

Parents in my kid's public school need their kids picked up from school and dropped off at home(s) within 1.5 miles of school. I was not so keen, but I'm pretty much the only SAHM in the area with a minivan and no baby/toddler, so I agreed. I have come up with some rules.

What do you think of them:

1. No food or drink in the van. Backpacks,lunch bags in the trunk.

2. Seat belts are always on when car is moving. No feet on seat/backs.

3. I will wait up to 10 min, then I will leave the pickup area. Kid can go to the office and call my cell ph. I might be able to go back after dropping off other kids, but cannot promise.

4. If kid is not in school on a day, parent SHOULD let me know in advance, so I don't wait there for ever.

5. I will drop off kid only if an adult or older sibling is at home and comes to the door.

6. Payment is due at the beginning of the month. If kid misses more than 3 days due to sickness, I will refund you the $.

7. If you are on vacation, pay to hold the spot. ( high demand for this service!)

8. If kid forgets something and is alread at the pickup area, it has to come home the next day. (like with a school bus!)

9. Including my kid, there will be 5 kids. I cannot help them carry stuff, they shoudl carry their belongings themselves to the van.

10. In the parking lot & walking to the car: kids HAVE to walk with me, and not run. Parents need to emphasize this to their kids.

11. If I'm sick, my husband will pickup. If my kid is sick, I will try to give as much notice as possible.

12. I don't charge for school breaks longer than 2 days.(mothly rate reflects that).

13. No kids allowed in the front passenger seat.

These will be boys and girls in grades 2nd thru 4th.

My husband thinks I'm being too detailed and even picky in stating these rules.

Do you think I am being too picky or just making things clear ahead to parents & kids?

Any rules to remove/rephrase?

Any other rules to add?

Answer 1

Geez.  We drive all the neighborhood kids who'll fit around for free.  In return, other parents will take our kids for a playdate or something when we have a scheduling crisis.  I wouldn't even consider charging for something like that, and if I did, it would only be for gas reimbursement.

But, in answer to your question, there's nothing wrong with your rules (except I'd personally help kids carry stuff where needed or run back to get something critical), but you don't necessarily have to spell them all out in writing, either.  E.g. just don't let the kids in the front passenger seat (it doesn't have to be a written rule).  

Answer 2

sounds like you covered it all

best of luck to you and your mini bus system

wish i had had a mom like you in my neighborhood a few years ago, but now we walk, the school is just across the street from us.

Answer 3

You need to set up the ground rule otherwise both the kids and parents will start taking advantage of you and also tear up your vehicle. I am defintaly all for no drinks or food in the car. yes they can survive 10 minutes with no water or food. You can have a bottle of water up front in case of emergency- you know how sometimes you will get tickle or cough and need something so you don't have to choke half to death and it also keeps them from throwing up if they do choke-haha. It never fails that I will be driving and swallow and it goes down the wrong tube and need my water.  

Answer 4

I think you are more than fair, and very prudent to make sure things are very clear.  It will avoid liability later.  Parents WILL try and take advantage of you and blame you.  Trust me!!

I would keep your rule about older siblings.  Check what your local state law is for kids to be left alone, in my state it is 12.  You could be held liable if you drop an "underage" kid off at an empty home and he gets hurt.  

And I wouldn't refund money if a kid misses more than 3 days.  In a day care you pay per month, that's it.  If a kid is sick all month, you still pay because you are holding that spot for him, whether he uses it or not.  If a kid misses, for illness, it's not like you can make that money with another child, you've lost that income.

You should also state that you have the right to stop providing the service should there be an issue.

1. No food or drink in the van. Backpacks,lunch bags will be stored in trunk.

2. I closely follow all state laws: seat belts are always on when car is moving and children will only be allowed in the back seats.  Children requiring booster seats, MUST be in booster seat and parents are responsible for providing me with a booster for their child.

3. I will wait up to 10 min, then I will leave the pickup area.  Parents should have a Plan B ride.  Children that "miss the van" can try my cell phone.  If I am available, I will pick them up for an additional charge.  If I am not available, they will need to call their emergency ride.

4. To avoid confusion, please notify me when a child is going to be absent from school

5. I will drop off only if an adult, older sibling (at least XX years old), or authorized caregiver is at home and comes to the door.  If no one responsible is home, the child will come home with me, and I will charge a babysitting fee of $ ________.

6. Payment is due at the beginning of the month.

7. If you are on vacation, you must still pay in order to hold the spot. ( There is a high demand for this service!)

8.  I will not return to a home or to school to retrieve forgotten items once we have left .  

9. All children must be responsible for carrying their own belongings.  Please contact me if there is need to transport special items (such as projects, birthday cupcakes, etc.), as I may not be able to accomodate it in my van.

10. Children must walk with me and stay in a group at all times. Parents need to emphasize this to their kids.

11. If I am ever unable to drive, either my husband will drive or I will try to give as much notice as possible to make alternative arrangements.  Parents should always have an emergency back up plan.

12. Monthly fees are prorated when there are school breaks longer than 2 consecutive days.

13.  Children are expected to conduct themselves in a way that keeps driving safe.  They must keep their hands and feet to themselves, and off of each other and the seats, and must use quiet voices.

14.  I reserve the right to refuse to continue service for failure to follow these policies or for any behavior that puts myself and my passengers at risk.

Good Luck and good for you!

Answer 5

Perhaps in your state the rules are different, but where we live, if you transport people for pay then you need a chauffeur's endorsement on your driver's license plus additional liability vehicle insurance.  If you've covered all these bases, then I think having specific rules for transport is best.  It sounds like a lot of rules, but I think they are necessary so everyone understands what is expected.  Transporting other people's children is a big responsibility and safety is paramount.  The liability if something were to happen while driving another person's child for pay could be quite high.  I, personally, would not be comfortable providing this service for pay due to the liability.

Answer 6

wow!!  you need to get a massage and rethink your plans.  you are wound very tightly.  in the future, just say NO!

Answer 7

You do sound too strict about this as well as very expensive. $5 per ride per kid? That's 10 bucks a day for one kid, with an average of 20 school days per month, that's $200! That's VERY overpriced for a 10 minute ride.

You're going to make people pay for when they're not there to ride in your van? And if a kid isn't there within 10 minutes you're going to leave them there? What if they have to stay a few minutes after school to get some help from a teacher or to take a test, or if they have to go to the bathroom after school? You're not going to have very many customers. I wouldn't hire you.

Answer 8

sounds great!

answer mine?

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;...

Answer 9

Woah, i wouldnt want to ride with you. I agree with your husband, that seems over the top. a few rules would be fine but that seems like more rules then i remember having in class.

Answer 10

I think that just a few that are to harsh:

1. Kids need drinks and food, and just state that you need to be careful with food inside the van.

3. Don't scare the kids and the parents with this one.

6. Refund any day that the child isn't there,

12. Any days that you have off school or are a snow day don't make them pay for, you're not transporting, so why make them pay.

Hope this helps alittle, have a good day.

Answer 11

I think these are terrific rules. I don't think it is up to you to find out if a parent or older sibling is home before dropping off though. As long as they can get in the house it should be fine. It will really take too much time to make a parent or sibling wave to you or the kid come back out to tell you their elder is there.

Plus fourth graders and some third graders can handle staying alone for a few minutes if their sibling or parent had to go somewhere and is not back yet. So I would drop all of that. It seems excessive to require that you be assured someone is home because the parent or sibling could be on the phone, doing laundry, in the back yard -- and it is none of your business if they are home yet or not. If they plan to be home after school they will be. But their child is their responsibility -- not yours.

Pay to hold the spot if they go on vacation? Are you serious? How long of a vacation would they go on during the school year anyway? Not more than a week missed of school. This is more of a taxi service than a daycare and I think you are being petty with that one.

If they forget something it needs to be REALLY important to them to go get it and they shouldn't make a habit of it but truly you do not need to be a hardass about it. Wow.

You can't help them carry stuff? Like their clay diorama  of the Incas and Mayans? Again...I get your point that it cannot be every day but if a child asks you for help you should provide it.

Kids always run to the car. Elementary schools are full of PARENTS and school buses after school -- who are always careful and watching for kids. I challenge you to find a news story where a kid was hit by a car in the school parking lot going out to his ride's car. It just doesn't happen. If on the remotest of chances some crazy lunatic decides to drag race through the lot after school there is nothing you could do anyway at that high speed. You are being really paranoid. Lighten up.

If you're sick your husband will pick up. If your kid is sick why can't your husband pick up then, too, or come home early so you can? He can get off if you're sick -- why not if your kid is sick, too?

No kids in the front seat -- of course not if it is not legal for them. If your kid is a fourth grader and tall enough perhaps he or she gets the front seat?  This one actually would be nice if the parents talk to their kid about it in advance so you don't get any lip or whining about it.

If the parents are paying you, you should go back for a kid you left without. However, you should inform the parent when you did so and tell them personally that it should not become a habit.

Legally of course you cannot charge more than reimbursement for gas without a CDL and additional insurance for paid transport so that should cut down on a lot of your issues with payment etc.