New entrants - end of day at school

Eek, that's a tough one coz depending on how rural it is, it could potentially take a long time to drive the child to and from school. I'd probably try and find a responsible older child that catches the same bus and ask them to keep an eye on the younger one.

I'd be okay with the bus, depending on the bus though - i know a lot of bullying with the young ones that happens on buses. if there were some older nice kids, I'd be okay. But definitely there to meet it.

Hhhmmm, I know I have a few years left to ponder over this, but I have had "the discussion" with my Mum already!

The school bus picks up and drops off within 100 meters of our gate so I of course will walk the kid/s to and from the bus stop. I was just interested to know at what age "most" would deem it to be appropriate. We socialise wth majority of the kids in our street at the local playgroup so they would all be catching the bus together.

Guess I will just go on my gut feeling when the time comes

There is loads of stuff i realised that we are parents do that might seem over protective to others. But from our experiences in the past I really just dont give two hoots what others think.

I know for a fact I wont let my 5 year old walk to school or back by herself. It will depend on how many adults is there to supervise on a walking bus route. And even then I dont think I will allow it until they are older.

Kids of that age will still run in the road if they lose a toy ect. They dont have the capability of actually realising the consequences of their decisions. (we did look after Grants cousins kids for a while which was 6 and 9, so definately know what I am talking about)

Last year at camp there was just two of us moms that couldnt leave our kids sleeping in their rooms while we as adults had a meal together. (both of us from SA), the others let their kids (mostly under 5) sleep in teh cabins while being quite a far distance away in the hallway eating food. For me naaah wasnt on. It was a strange place, she could walk to the waterfall and drown ect ect.

I think compare to most here I will always be on the more overprotective side. I still have a child that is totally independent and I will let go when she has the common sense to make the right decision and her brain is capable of making those sort of decisions.

Going back to the original post, and having taught NE for two years before - we always kept the kids in class till they were picked up.
Someone said about teachers being responsible for the kids after 3. I don't know what the law states but we are responsible for them while they are on school grounds (on a school day - although even on Teacher Only Days and weekends, you still feel responsible for the kids playing there unsupervised). We have kids dropped off as early as 7am some days which is crazy, but its what some parents do. Its hard because there is no guarantee that anyone will be there to supervise them, but for parents that can't afford before school care its the easiest option for them. Fortunately the caretaker is there by then, and a couple of early bird teachers who usually make sure the kids are warm and fed

Man, that was a ramble! I wouldn't let my 5 year old (who is not born yet) walk to school by him or herself. A lot can and does happen on the way to and from school for kids and we've had some scary situations where I work. Some of our kids (and I don't live in the area I work) have to walk through some very dodgy areas. if children are not picked up we call caregivers and have cases where we can't get hold of anyone, including emergency contacts. Just want people to know (as I'm sure you all do) that teachers really care about their kids, and it is our duty to make sure they are safe - it doesn't matter what time it is.

Couldn't help commenting If that makes no sense, blame it on having a very pregnant brain and being home bored.

Havent yet reached the NE phase as a mum but as a child, from NE I caught the Bus. I remember Mum waiting with me at the bus stop in the mornings then lining up after school in the hall- waiting for the bus, there was always a teacher in the hall with us.

Id definately would want supervsion over my child in that end of day transition

It erks me that young children would walk alone. And yet there are laws about children under a certain age being home alone