". . . a toddler fell and needed stitches, and her parents wanted me to meet them at the emergency room. There was a lot of blood, so I drove while another teacher held her in the back seat to keep pressure on the wound. Our center was only three blocks away from the hospital, yet another car hit us, and . . . "

"I removed my four year old from his preschool because they went on a field trip, and he told me he got to ride in the front seat of the director's car because the van was broken . . . "

"A fatal accident killed the driver and three children who were being transported from child care to school; investigators said none of the children in the van were wearing appropriate restraints . . . "

Each year thousands of young children are killed or injured in car crashes. Although these situations are always tragic, they are particularly disturbing when known safety practices are not followed or a "well-meaning" adult isn't aware of the recommended procedures and puts children at risk.

We all know the rules. The only way to make sure children are safe during transportation is to use the appropriate car safety seats and seats belts correctly, every time. As an early childhood educator or child care professional, you might wonder if you are following the most up-to-date transportation safety guidelines. You might also question how to make the "safest" decision when something unexpected comes up.

This article provides a "refresher course," including questions you can ask yourself and the information you need to protect the children in your care. Following these recommendations will help you reduce the risks and liability involved when transporting children.

Should our program transport children?

Whether to transport a child or not is a critical question, and this decision should be made thoughtfully. The responsible child care professional considers: parent wishes; legal, moral, and ethical issues; economic considerations; and the best interests of the child. The ability to transport children in your care safely can enhance their educational, developmental, and social experiences. Transportation guidelines are not exclusive or absolute measures of security. However, as a professional, you play a key role in educating others, including parents and children, about child passenger safety. Your efforts can help people protect themselves and others throughout their lives.

What are the most up-to-date recommendations?

Caring for Our Children: National Health and Safety Performance Standards, Guidelines for Out-of-Home Child Care (2002) provides a comprehensive set of 707 health and safety standards for early education and child care programs, including family child care homes. These are the recommended standards approved by the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Public Health Association, and the National Resource Center for Health and Safety in Child Care and Early Education (NRC). This manual includes standards on a variety of child care-related health and safety topics including transportation and child passenger safety issues. A full version of the national guidelines (along with key updates and details about obtaining print copies) can be found at: http://nrc.uchsc.edu/CFOC/index.html.

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