preschool bus safety

[m0mof6]

Could anyone give me links and information concerning preschool children on full size busses. My 3 and 4 yo's school wants to transport them to preschool via the regular school bus (so with K-12 students) without any restraint. They are aprox 30 and 40 lbs. Oh, and there is no aide on the bus to help with keeping the kids seated and following the rules.Our state law says no restraint on the big buses is acceptable but I would like to bring info related to safety. Both kids have an IEP and state law does say that kids under 5 are eligble for sped transportation services but the school says they do not have one a seperate vehicle available.

We have another meeting on Monday so I would like to be able to bring it then.
Thanks!

 

[cantabdad]

A 5-point restraint would probably be more appropriate -- either a carseat or one of the specialized school bus harnesses. Federal guidelines are here:
http://www.nhtsa.gov/people/injury/buses/guide1999/prekfinal.htm

I'm not sure that they are binding on the states but it would be a bargaining chip in your discussion.