school bus and the small child

My 5yo daughter will be starting kindergarten in a few months and I would like to know if she can ride on the school bus. I had been planning to just drive her, partly because her school is right on my way, and partly because she is so small that I worry whether the bus is safe for her. I have heard that school buses are very safe for kids over 50 pounds, but she is only 32.5 pounds (It's going to be a looong time before she's 50 at this rate). Is this something I should be concerned about? I know that for pre-school aged kids they can ride in a harnessed seat on the bus, but since she is 5, I don't know that she would qualify despite her small size. When I asked about this at kindy registration they looked at me like I was nuts. Any input and info appreciated! TIA

She most likely will be fine. Yes, she "can" ride the school bus, since she is over 5. There are a few blog posts on bus safety and links to other sites on the subject.

There are also quite a few threads here if you can search for them.

http://carseatblog.com/110/back-to-school-but-how-to-get-there/

And check the track back about the seat belts. Also, check Darren's link to bus studies.

And just recently there was this thread.

http://www.car-seat.org/showthread.php?t=171805

Hope this helps a little.

But even though she is over 5, she is the *size* of a pre-school child. Even if she can ride the bus due to her age, is it something she should do considering her size?

It should be okay. I know many a tech here would consider booster training a child that size as long as they were mature enough to sit in the booster at all times. Is she closer to 5 or closer to 6?

What I had heard, is that school buses are safe for kindergarten age children. Yes, normally they are 40 pounds by then, but sometimes not. I think she will be fine if you will be. How long is the drive? Are there any other issues to be considered, like highway driving, etc? These are other things to be considered if you are worried.

I wish someone more knowledgable would also weigh in, though.

Hello? Is there anybody out there? heehee

She just turned 5. I was not planning to let her ride in a booster until she is at least 40 pounds. At this rate she might be 7 by then... Is that silly? I thought that was the minimum recommended weight.

From our house to the school is 4 miles, basically a straight shot from our neighborhood onto a two-lane country highway and the school is right on that road. I don't know if the bus route would be direct though. But I can't see a reason they would need to get on the interstate. The school is also right on my way anyway.

I just had a similar dilemma a few days ago when deciding whether or not to allow my 4 yo. on a school bus for a class trip.

I did some research, here is a link to an article published in 2002 by the "National Association of State Directors of Pupil Transportation Service", it specifically discusses children 50 pounds and under on school buses.

An excerpt:
"Child safety restraint systems that meet the requirements of FMVSS No. 213
should be the first choice when transporting children who weigh 50 pounds or less in any motor vehicle, including a school bus."

Other research I have found simply refers to "pre-school aged" children, they really should be mentioning height and weight as children are obviously not all the same size.

Personally, I would drive my child if she were that much under 50lbs...if possible. But, if you cannot, I have heard of people making arrangements to have their child secured in a cam-wrap on the bus, or even an actual car seat or booster that is left installed on the bus (may not be possible in most scenarios).

...and you're not being nuts, just safety conscious and thorough good for you!

My 3 and 5-year-olds are taking the bus next year. The 3-year-old gets a harness b/c I asked.

I just don't want the bus crossing a train track. I checked and there is none on the short route. That's just me. The high school had a bus, for whatever reason, stop on the tracks and 7 kids died. So it makes me nervous with trains.