Field Trip and Summer
Safety
General Information
You are representing our program even when you are away from the
program. Always conduct yourself in a professional manner.
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Always take your group’s emergency field trip information with you on
every outing. Prior to every field trip, it is your responsibility to make
sure that you have emergency field trip information on every child that
will be present on the field trip.
•
No child is allowed to participate in a
field trip without an emergency form
and a signed permission slip. There are
no exceptions to this rule!
Phoenix Children's Academy
2011
Know Your Licensing Requirements
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It is impossible to address all the specific licensing
requirements for each state in a company-wide
training. Familiarize yourself with the rules and
regulations governing field trips and summer safety
for your state and county well in advance.
Phoenix Children's Academy
2011
Pre Trip Procedures
 All field trips must be pre-approved prior to School Director
 Parents must be fully aware of the field trip in accordance with
licensing regulations
All children must have school name and telephone number on their
person
Emergency information must be on the bus for every child present
Phoenix Children's Academy
2011
 Bus must be fully inspected by driver prior to departure:
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Amount of gasoline in the tank
Safety equipment
Seat belts
Tires
Directional signals
Hazard lights
Horn
Brakes
Mirrors
Door locks
Windows and windshield wipers
Lights
 Report any malfunctions to the School Director immediately.
 If gas is needed, it must be purchased prior to the trip and without
children on the bus. A receipt must be obtained and retained. The
amount of gas in the tank should be noted prior to the trip commencing.
Phoenix Children's Academy
2011
Other Pre-Trip “Must-Do’s”
 Confirm your reservations
Know the route you will
take
 Gather lunches, snacks
 Locate camera, check
batteries
 Take ice water and cups
Phoenix Children's Academy
2011
Prepare Emergency Information Cards
 Insure that you have a recent, clear
photo of each and every child enrolled
in your program
 Attach this photo to the child’s
emergency card that will be taken on
the field trip
 For added safety, include the child’s height and weight.
 Follow licensing regulations for other Emergency Information
needed
Phoenix Children's Academy
2011
Responsibilities to the Children
 Talk with the children about
the trip or activity
 Let the children know your
expectations
 Set ground rules
Prepare for separation of
groups
Phoenix Children's Academy
2011
Loading Children on to the Bus
Children must be
loaded curbside,
one child at a time. The
vehicle may not be running.
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 Teachers must assist any child needing
assistance to enter or exit the bus
Doors should be checked for fingers, hands,
feet prior to closing
Phoenix Children's Academy
2011
Seat Belt Use
• All children are required to wear a seat belt at all times
The only
exception to this rule is if the children are being transported in a large school bus that does
not have and is not required to have seat belts. If the large bus has seat belts, all children
Do not take the child’s
word that the seat belt is buckled—check it yourself!
must wear them even if they are not required to do so.
• No child is allowed to sit in the front passenger seat
• At no time can children be buckled into the same seat belt
Phoenix Children's Academy
2011
Interact With Children While On the Vehicle
• Positive interactions should always take place; ask questions,
invite discussion about the destination, reflect on the day. Show a
genuine interest in the children
• Ensure all conversations are age
appropriate
• Sing!
• When ever possible, a second adult
should be on the vehicle to interact
with the children so the driver can focus on driving
Phoenix Children's Academy
2011
Cell Phone Usage
• Bus drivers must carry a school cell phone
on every field trip
• No driver may use a cell phone while driving
•No driver may make or receive text
messages while driving
• If the driver must make or receive a phone
call, he/she must find a safe spot to pull to
the side of the road
Phoenix Children's Academy
2011
Driving Safety
When more than one bus is traveling together
in caravan style, care must be taken to travel a
safe distance behind each bus.
When separated, the lead bus should slow down
and allow the other bus to catch up.
Phoenix Children's Academy
2011
General Driving Guidelines
 All drivers are required to be in
compliance at all time with all state
rules and regulations
 No speeding: Observe all posted speed limit laws at all times
 No tailgating: Maintain a safe following distance at all times
 Passing: Pass only when necessary and on multi-lane roads only.
No passing within 100 feet of a bridge, tunnel, intersection or
railroad crossing
 Intersections: Use extreme caution when entering
Railroad Crossing: Complete stops are required
 Parked: Ignition must be turned off and placed in “Park”
 Backing Up: Do so only when necessary. When parked, the driver
is required to walk a complete circle around the bus prior to backing
up
Phoenix Children's Academy
2011
More Guidelines
 Headlights: Must be used at all
times to increase visibility
 Directional signal must be used at
least 100 feet before turning or
changing lanes in the city and 300
feet before on the highway
Seat belt must be worn by driver and all passengers
 Keys must be removed from the ignition and the parking brake
set when the vehicle is turned off and before exiting the bus
Phoenix Children's Academy
2011
In the Event of a Vehicle Accident
• Take immediate precautions to prevent further accidents
• If possible, move vehicle off roadway
• If necessary, remove passengers to safety.
Supervise at all times!
• Call 911 from cell phone or signal for help
• Render reasonable assistance to injured
• Obtain accident information: plate numbers, driver’s license,
vehicle description
• Notify management as soon as it is safe. Submit written
report upon return to school
Phoenix Children's Academy
2011
Supervision Tips
• Make eye contact with children
often
• Especially when mixed with the
public, take roll often
• Always have an adult enter a
restroom with children; try to
have male and female staff available. Never allow children to
enter a public restroom alone
• Always remain attentive to the children; avoid distractions
• Talk to the children regularly about the importance of staying
together
Phoenix Children's Academy
2011
A Word on Professionalism
• Remember: all staff and children are a “walking
billboard” of your school and program: show it!
• Be proud! You are a professional, act like one!
• Be courteous at all times
• Avoid confrontation
• Do not rely on your field
trip host to manage your trip or your children. You
must still interact and supervise all children
Phoenix Children's Academy
2011
Take Roll Call at the Following Times
1. Getting on the bus
2. When all students are on the bus but prior to departing
3. Getting off the bus at field trip destination
4. Inside the destination (per regulations at least once per hour)
5. Leaving the destination
6. When all students are on the bus but prior to departing
7. As children are disembarking from the bus
8. When students are inside the school
Phoenix Children's Academy
2011
Counting Children Is NOT Acceptable
 You must take roll call by calling
out each child’s name
 You must make visual contact
with each child as you check
them off your list
 You must always require each
child make a verbal response to
their name
Phoenix Children's Academy
2011
Roll Call Sheet MUSTS
1. Always kept on a clipboard
2. A copy of the roll must be left
the school prior to departing
at
3. Kept with teachers at all times
4. Turned in to the School Director at the conclusion of
each trip. Each one must contain the signatures of
the teachers who attended the field trip
5. Kept on file at the school per licensing regulations
Phoenix Children's Academy
2011
If a Child is Injured
1. Never move the child;
activate emergency services
if necessary
2. Have one adult caring for the
injured child. The others
should supervise the rest of
the group
3. Stay calm and be reassuring.
The children will feed off
your emotions.
Phoenix Children's Academy
2011
Parents May Not:
• Drop their child
off at a field trip
destination
• Pick their child up
from a field trip
destination
Phoenix Children's Academy
2011
Swimming Field Trips
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• The required ratio must be met at all
times without exception
You must maintain visual contact with swimmers at all times
All teachers that attend a swim trip must be able to swim and
current with First Aid and CPR certification
Swim suits worn by female staff must be appropriate; no 2piece suits
Teachers may not sit in chairs or sunbathe
Sun screen should be re-applied at least one time at the pool
and / or per instructions. Roll call should be taken during sun
screen application
Phoenix Children's Academy
2011
Swimming Wrist Bands
 Green means a child can swim
everywhere, is a good swimmer and
is able to dive.
 Blue means a child is a good swimmer
in the general pool area. Not allowed to
dive.
 Red means a child is not a good
swimmer and can only be in shallow
end of pool.
Phoenix Children's Academy
2011
No Second Chances
Children who do
not follow the
swim rules will not
be allowed to
participate in any
future swim trips!
Phoenix Children's Academy
2011
How to Prevent Heat Exhaustion
• Provide plenty of fluids to
children
• Remind all children to stay hydrated
• Eat fruit
• Invite children to wear hats
• Play in the shade when possible
• Avoid being outdoors during the hottest parts of
the day
• Cool off frequently
• Use sunscreen
Phoenix Children's Academy
2011
Signs of Heat Exhaustion
• Pale, clammy hands
• Heavy sweating
• Fatigue
• Weakness
• Dizziness
• Headache
• Nausea
• Muscle cramps
• Vomiting
• Fainting
Phoenix Children's Academy
2011
Treatment of Heat Exhaustion
• Get the victim to a shady area
• Apply cool or tepid water to the skin (for example you
may mist the child with cool water)
• Fan the child to promote sweating and evaporation
• Offer Gatorade to replenish electrolytes
• Provide water or juice
• Notify emergency services (911) immediately. If their arrival is
delayed, they can give you further instructions for treatment of the
victim.
Phoenix Children's Academy
2011
Bus Checks

Every time children exit the
bus, one teacher must check it
 The teacher must walk from
the front to the back of the bus,
and not just look over the seats
 The teacher must look closely
for a child who may have fallen
asleep or is hiding
Phoenix Children's Academy
2011
When The Field Trip Is Over
 Once all children are
inside the building, a
final roll call must
be taken
 Two teachers must
then sign the field
trip roll call sheet
Phoenix Children's Academy
2011