Getting to school safely

When your child starts school one thing they will be facing each day is getting to and from school. How they get there will depend on where you live and what transport is available.

The first thing to do is to plan a safe route to and from school with your child. When considering a safe route, try to pick one with the fewest roads to cross and the minimum amount of traffic. 

If your child is walking to school:

Before your child's first day at school, walk to school with your child to find out how long it will take. Make sure you do the walk with any other children who will normally be with you. Getting to school may take a lot longer than you think!

Driveways can be dangerous with cars coming out of them. Teach your child to look out for hidden driveways where cars are not visible. 

Teach your child about safety around dogs. Although new laws should protect your child from harm, dogs can escape from their properties. Remind your child to stand still and not make any sudden movements if worried by a dog. If you have any concerns, it may pay to look for another route to school.

If you are driving your child to school:

Always make sure all children are buckled in before you start your journey. School bags should be placed at the children’s feet rather than on the seat beside them, to prevent these heavy objects being hurled around the car in an accident.

When dropping off or picking up your children always try and stop on the roadside closest to the school. If they have to cross the road to the car, take the few minutes necessary to get out of the car and walk across the road to collect them. Never call them across the road, as there will be a lot of other cars coming and going with distracted drivers in them.

If your child takes a bus to school:

Check your school policy for children travelling home by school buses. One school has a policy that children must always get on their bus unless the parents (or caregiver) advise otherwise. Make sure that your child is aware of this rule. 

As with children being driven to school by car, when you are dropping your children off for the bus always try and let them out on the side of the road where the bus stops. If they have to cross the road, take the few minutes necessary to get out of the car and walk across the road with them. Never just send them across the road, as there will be other traffic using the road.

For children returning home by bus, give them some additional safety tips. Find a safe place for them to go to wait if you are late meeting them. One family has a public library next to their bus stop. If the children’s parents are late, and all the other children have been collected by their parents, their children must go to the library and wait for them there. 

Arrange for one other person they know who may collect them from the bus stop if you are ever unable to meet them.

Tell your children to sit quietly on the bus and not to annoy the bus driver. And as with car travel, bags should be placed on the floor under their seat.

Riding their bikes to school:

Unless your child is over ten, you should accompany your child when they are cycling to school. 

Make sure that your child's bike and helmet are safe for the road. Check that your child's helmet fits correctly. Ensure that they wear shoes.

Teach your child the road code and how to ride the bike correctly on the road. Wearing bright colours makes your child more visible.

For other reading in this series, check out the following articles:

Starting school for the first time

Schooling in New Zealand