Child Transportation Safety Toolkit: Forms, Checklist & Bus Activities

Make Child Transportation Safety Easier to Plan, Practice, and Teach! Help keep transportation safety at the forefront of your child care program with this 10-page Child Transportation Safety Toolkit! Designed for child care providers, preschool teachers, program administrators, and families, this practical printable collection combines family transportation information forms, staff safety checklists, and hands-on school bus safety activities for children. From preparing for program-arranged trips to reinforcing safe bus behaviors, these resources support family communication, organized staff procedures, active supervision, and age-appropriate safety learning. What's Included? 1. Transportation Details and Child Safety Survey — 3 Pages A parent/guardian questionnaire designed to collect information relevant to a child's upcoming program-arranged trip. Includes: Child's full name and trip date Parent or guardian contact information Alternate emergency contact details Health, mobility, and individual support needs Transportation-related instructions for staff Seating and child-restraint needs to discuss with the family Trip-specific transportation arrangements or concerns Questions for families to discuss with program staff Parent/guardian confirmation and signature section How to Use: Share the survey with families before a planned trip. Staff can review responses and follow up on individual needs while independently confirming applicable transportation requirements. 2. Child Transportation Safety Checklist — 2 Pages A structured safety checklist to help child care staff review essential precautions before, during, and after transportation. Includes: Trip date, destination, staff lead, and transportation type Before departure: Child accountability, restraint considerations, vehicle safety, appropriate seating, and bus boarding expectations During the trip: Active supervision, appropriate seating and restraints, and safe riding practices At arrival and exit: Safe unloading, child head counts, and checking the vehicle for children or belongings Space for safety concerns, follow-up notes, and staff initials How to Use: Complete the checklist as part of your program's transportation preparation, supervision, and arrival procedures. 3. Safe Bus Ride: Cut, Sort, and Glue — 2 Pages A hands-on school bus safety sorting activity that helps children recognize appropriate and inappropriate transportation behaviors. Includes: A two-column sorting mat labeled Safe Choice and Unsafe Choice 5 illustrated, labeled picture cards featuring bus-related safety situations: Waiting with an adult away from the curb Holding the handrail while boarding Crossing in front when the driver can see you Walking behind the bus Leaving a bag in the aisle Teacher instructions and guided discussion questions How to Use: Children cut out the picture cards, discuss each behavior, and glue the cards into the appropriate category. Adults should discuss the rules followed by their transportation provider. 4. Ready, Set, Ride Safely! Coloring and Counting — 3 Pages A school bus-themed activity that combines coloring, counting, and guided safety discussions. Includes: A black-and-white school bus illustration for coloring A name line and activity instructions Three illustrated counting prompts covering supervising adults, handrails, and safe waiting spaces Spaces to record answers Discussion prompts about safe waiting locations and keeping bus aisles clear How to Use: Children color the bus illustration, use the small reference pictures to complete the counting prompts, and discuss bus safety with an adult. Perfect For Preschool and early elementary transportation safety lessons Child care centers and family child care programs Field trip and program-arranged transportation planning School bus safety instruction Back-to-school safety activities Family communication and preparation for trips Child care staff safety reviews Small-group lessons and guided classroom discussions Transportation-themed classroom units Why Educators Will Love It Combines preparation with education: Provides resources for both adult transportation planning and children's safety learning. Encourages family communication: Helps staff gather relevant information about children's individual needs before transportation. Supports consistent safety routines: Gives educators a structured checklist for reviewing key steps before, during, and after trips. Includes ready-to-use activities: Children can practice identifying safe and unsafe bus behaviors through sorting, coloring, and counting. Promotes meaningful discussions: Conversation prompts encourage children to explain their thinking and talk about safer choices. Reusable throughout the year: Print the forms and activities for different trips, safety lessons, and classroom transportation units.