| Field trips are a great way for children to | | | | separation, and should wear name tags which |
| experience concepts outside of Dallas day care | | | | include the program’s name and phone |
| and child care institutions. In order for your child | | | | number. A cell phone should be on hand in the |
| to take advantage of these types of | | | | case of an emergency. |
| opportunities safely, it is important for you to | | | | Roll call should be taken continuously. Before |
| discuss the following issues with your current or | | | | leaving the classroom, roll should be taken and |
| potential child care provider. | | | | repeated after loading the vehicle. Once the |
| Group Size | | | | children have arrived at their destination, a head |
| Find out what size group will be sent out during | | | | count should be taken. When they return to the |
| field trips. Dependant on the ages of the children | | | | vehicle, prior to departure, the presence of all |
| and the destination, a licensing standard of up to | | | | children should be confirmed. |
| one caregiver per 12 children are required. | | | | Once the children return to the center, a final |
| Additionally, each group of children on the field trip | | | | head count should be taken as the children exit |
| should have an adult who is solely responsible for | | | | the vehicle and upon their return to the |
| the children’s care. Each adult should have a | | | | classroom. A caregiver should be appointed to |
| list of children in their group, emergency contact | | | | check the vehicle to ensure all children have |
| information for each child, and a first-aid kit. | | | | exited the vehicle and all personal items have |
| Transportation Information | | | | been collected. |
| Find out how the children will be transported on | | | | |
| field trips. According to Texas state law, all | | | | Volunteering on Field Trips |
| children under 17 years of age need to wear a | | | | Ask your childcare providers whether parents |
| safety belt, and children under the age of four | | | | may volunteer on field trips. If you are available |
| and/or less than 36 inches tall need to ride in an | | | | and it is permissible, consider being a volunteer on |
| approved safety seat. | | | | field trips. You will be able to spend quality time |
| Program Standards on the Field Trip | | | | with your child and get to know others at the |
| Certain policies can be instrumental in field trip | | | | facility. Additionally, you will provide an additional |
| safety. Children should use a buddy system, be | | | | set of eyes, ears, and hands to assist the |
| aware of a meeting place in the event of | | | | caregivers. |