Take Bus to Kindergarden?

My 5 yo takes the bus. Drop off at school with limited parking is a nightmare! All 4 of my children ( and myself as a child) have taken the bus since Kdg. No problems.

My 4 year old is in a pre-k program in a Public school. His program does not offer bus service. It was offered for his 6 year old brother. Because I need to be at work at 8:00 a.m. and school does not start until 9:00 am. I placed both boys in a private latch key program so now they ride the van to school and back to the latch key in the afternoon. I pick them up about 5:00 a.m.

As a former Kindergarten teacher I can tell you that only you know your child well enough to make this decision. Some kids at age 5 are able to handle the stress and responsibility that riding the bus brings. Others are not able to handle this big responsibility & its stresses. It really comes down to how mature, independent, sociable & capable your child is. When the bus driver is different, bus changes, best friend or neighbor isn't on the bus, s/he misses the bus how will s/he react? Some kids are great at rolling with it and of others it is traumatizing. Each kid is so different, trust your instincts. Good Luck!

My first two I walked or I drove on rainy days. THe third took the bus but hated it, the fourth also took the bus and also hated it. So by the middle of his K year I started driving him. I now homeschool both of the little ones.

I drop my Kindergartner off at school. I was too nervous to send her on the bus at this young age. I'm sure it would be fine and she was probably ready for it - but I just wasn't. :) Plus I did not want her riding to school without a seat belt.

My daughter will be starting Kindergarten this fall. She will never ride the bus as long as I can help it! We never rode a bus when I was growing up. The bus that came by our house would have taken us to the wrong school anyways!

I do remember riding the bus home with friends on occasion and I remember hating it. I'd rather drive my daughter & pick her up as my mom did.

Bullying & lack of seat belts are more reasons I want to drive her myself. I am glad that I have ended up with a job that will let me leave early to pick her up & take her home. My company is online-based and so I can work from home (or anywhere with Internet) any time I need.

I have an almost-5-year-old. He's in PreK at a public school and they offer bus service for his age, but I'm not comfortable with it yet. I drop him off. Next year when he's in kindergarten, I'll probably continue to drop him because the school is so close to the house. If I have to get him up and ready for the bus, it's going to make us get up even earlier. I remember starting the bus at 6 in first grade. I had a 20 mile, one-way bus trip my entire school life! Those were some LONG rides!

My oldest started taking the bus to kindergarten at age 5. My 2 younger boys started taking the bus for preschool at age 3.

What does your child *want* to do??

My dgd always wanted to ride the bus when she was at daycare watching the older kids going to school. She still wants to ride the bus, so we let her ride it to school - and if she changes her mind, we'll cross that bridge then!

My five year old did (he's now 19). My daughter will ride the bus too (unless due to my work schedule doesn't allow).

When my kids were little we lived in Wilmington. They both took the bus to school. The first day, I followed the bus and met them at the school. I waved to them as they marched into school. I took a bunch of pictures. They loved it. From then on they rode the bus. Some days, I picked up after school if we had an activity.
They need to know how to take the bus if you are sick or have an early appointment. Just let them do it. Besides, all their friends are on the bus.
YMMV
LBC

She takes the bus to school, - a 35 minute ride. And she gets picked up in the afternoon @ 3:20, due to a very long ride that would get her dropped off close to 5pm!!!!!!!!

The bus. It immediately became her favorite part of school and still is!

When he was in kindergarten he started taking the bus and my youngest cannot wait until he is old enough to take the bus

The bus. Everyone in our neighborhood does - no parents drive to school. No reason not to take the bus, in my view - the older kids help out, and the younger ones follow the customs. The bus is met by teachers or aides at the other end. It builds independence and confidence. The kids have a lot less trouble than the adults do!

Mine take the bus to and from school every morning.

my kindergartner takes the bus. There is another adult on the bus with them besides the driver so that makes me feel good about it. She loves the bus. She takes turns with her assigned seatmate sitting next to the window.