GERALDINE PRESCHOOL COMMUNITY MINIBUS POLICY

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RATIONALE

The criterion aims to uphold the safety of children while travelling in motor vehicles, ensuring tamariki are restrained as required by Land Transport legislation.  Written permission from whānau of the tamaiti is obtained and responsibilities outlined prior to travel.  (HS15).

PROCEDURES

Whānau will give written permission enabling their tamaiti to be transported on the Geraldine community minibus to and from preschool (permission form attached for signature).  If whānau rings in without permission for having been signed, as long as the staff member can clearly identify the person on the phone as whānau this will be accepted, providing a mini bus permission form is signed retrospectively as soon as possible.

Tamariki that travel on the minibus travel at the risk of their whānau and the minibus service.  Geraldine Preschool does not accept responsibility or liability for tamariki who travel on the minibus, but will ensure the following:

• When tamariki arrive by the minibus they will be met by a staff member and brought into the Preschool.  The staff member will sign the tamaiti in and assist them to their whare.

• Tamaiti who travel home on the minibus will be escorted onto the minibus with their possessions and restrained by a staff member prior to their departure.

• Tamariki are not to be seated in the front of the minibus (beside the driver).

It is whānau responsibility to notify the minibus office of their intention to use the minibus service and also to advise the Preschool of this intention.  It is also whānau responsibility to advice the Minibus office and Preschool of any changes.

If staff are in doubt as to whether or not a tamaiti is to travel on the minibus then the whānau will be contacted.  If whānau are not able to be contacted then the tamaiti may not travel on this service for that day as preschool needs to be certain there will be someone home at drop off.

Tamariki under the age of 2 years will not travel on the minibus, unless they are accompanied by an adult.

LINKS TO

• Health and Safety practices criterion 15
• Land Transport Safety Act

Date approved: August 2022

Review date: August 2023

GERALDINE COMMUNITY MINIBUS SERVICE TRAVEL PERMISSION FORM

The community of Geraldine run a minibus service which is available to pick up and drop off tamariki at Preschool.  If you wish your tamaiti to use this service, we need your permission before staff can release your tamaiti to the Minibus driver.  NB. Minibus service drivers are required to be police vetted.  All arrangements for the Minibus pickups must be made by whānau by contacting the minibus service.  It is Geraldine preschool’s policy that tamariki under the age of 2 years will not travel on the minibus unaccompanied by an adult.

For bookings and further information regarding the minibus service, please contact hem directly (phone 693 1007).  Please also refer to the Geraldine Preschool Community Minibus policy for further information.

I give permission for Geraldine Preschool staff to release (tamaiti name)

_____________________________ to the care of the minibus driver and/or welcome my tamaiti from the minibus driver as arranged.  I agree to take full responsibility for him/her on this service.

Signed: ________________________________________________  Dated: ____________________