Babysitter/Daycare Information
FAIRFIELD CITY SCHOOLS TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT
BABYSITTER/DAYCARE INFORMATION*
*Please note: The following student bus service information is for Fairfield City School District students only. Parents of bus riders attending a non-public school should contact the transportation department at 513-829-6603. Thank you!
We are happy to be able to provide a service that many parents find useful, which is having the school bus pick up or drop off students at a location other than their home, usually a babysitter's home or a daycare center. In order to provide this transportation service, the babysitter's home or daycare center must be in the same attendance area as the school and session that the child attends.
Although the school district understands that unexpected situations sometimes arise, in order to ensure each student's safety, pick-up and drop-off arrangements need to be the same every day that the student rides the bus.
Example: A student is picked up at home before school, and dropped off at a babysitter's house after school on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday. On Thursday the babysitter brings the child to school and picks the child up after school. This is acceptable; the arrangements are the same every day the student rides the bus.
Example: A student is picked up before school and dropped off after school at a daycare center on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. On Friday the parents would like the
child to be picked up and dropped off at home. We would not be able to accommodate this request, as the arrangements are not the same for each day the student rides the bus. With transporting more than 7,500 students to multiple schools daily, we do not have the capacity to safely manage daily variations in pick-up and drop-off arrangements for individual
students.
child to be picked up and dropped off at home. We would not be able to accommodate this request, as the arrangements are not the same for each day the student rides the bus. With transporting more than 7,500 students to multiple schools daily, we do not have the capacity to safely manage daily variations in pick-up and drop-off arrangements for individual
students.
Please remember to complete a new Transportation information form in Final Forms with information for the coming school year. Forms have been available in Final Forms since June 1. The completion of this form will ensure that your child's transportation
arrangements are in place based on the home residence of the student by the start of the next school year. Bus routing is a complicated and lengthy process and it is very helpful for us to have this information for your child before route planning begins.
Some daycare providers and babysitters also provide transportation. Parents should work directly with them if those services are to be used.
arrangements are in place based on the home residence of the student by the start of the next school year. Bus routing is a complicated and lengthy process and it is very helpful for us to have this information for your child before route planning begins.
Some daycare providers and babysitters also provide transportation. Parents should work directly with them if those services are to be used.
The Fairfield City School District also offers a latchkey program. Visit the latchkey program website page by clicking here.
We want your child's entire school day, including the morning and afternoon bus rides, to be as enjoyable as possible. To help with that, below are the most frequently asked questions and answers about our school bus service. Please take a moment to review these to help you with your planning.
Transportation Frequently Asked Questions
These are some of the most commonly asked general questions that are received in relation to transportation of students.
These are some of the most commonly asked general questions that are received in relation to transportation of students.
What are some helpful safety tips for riding the school bus?
- Arrive at the bus stop five minutes early. Wait in your “designated place of safety” (20 paces/steps away from the bus). This is a state-mandated location, determined by the bus driver, as a safe location for students to wait for the bus.
- While waiting, respect other individuals, their possessions, and surrounding property. Stand still
and be cautious as the bus arrives. The district’s responsibility begins when students board the bus and ends, in the afternoon, when the bus departs from the stop.
- It is recommended that elementary students be accompanied by parents/guardians to the bus stop.
- If you must cross the street to be picked up or dropped off, obey the driver’s hand signal and cross 10 feet in front of the bus.
- Enter the bus calmly, sit in your assigned seat, and remain seated at all times.
What is ‘state minimum’ transportation?
State law requires transportation only for students in grades K-8 who reside more than 2.0 miles from school. With state minimums, grades 9-12 transportation does not have to be provided; however, a shuttle from the high school to a member vocational school is required. In addition, all school districts must transport students with special needs as identified in those students’ Individual Education Plans. At this time, Fairfield City School District provides transportation to all students who live in Fairfield and Fairfield Township in grades K-10. We are well above the state minimum and will continue to look at ways to decrease costs by extending some bus stops and walking areas.
What is the maximum time a student may ride his/her school bus in Ohio?
There is no identified length of time that districts are obligated to meet. It is up to the school district to manage the length of time students ride their bus. Ride times vary by traffic, locality, and numerous other criteria; therefore, ride times may vary for each school. The Fairfield City School District is committed to making them as short as possible.
Are there state laws that set the standards for bus stop location?
Bus stop locations are determined by the Assistant Superintendent for Business and the Transportation Director. The stops are approved by the Board of Education. We encourage parents to accompany their child to the bus stop whenever possible.
Are sidewalks required for my child to get to his/her bus stop?
While we understand this may be of concern in some situations, many students routinely walk safely in grassy areas along roadways to reach the bus stop. This is another important reason to accompany your child to the bus stop.
I want my child to wait inside my house/car until the bus arrives at the stop. Is this allowed?
Ohio law requires children to be waiting at the bus stop prior to its arrival. The Fairfield City School District recommends students arrive at the bus stop five (5) minutes prior to the arrival of the bus. Bus drivers must count the students at the bus stop before they load and as they get on the bus to ensure all children are safely on board. If students are not waiting at the bus stop, the bus driver cannot count them. Therefore, the driver cannot be certain all the students are safely on board. Waiting at the bus stop before the bus arrives further ensures that no one chases after a bus, which is very dangerous.
My child has an IEP (Individual Education Plan) but special transportation is not being provided. Why is this?
A child who has an IEP only receives special transportation when the IEP team designates such as a “related service.” If special transportation is not included in the IEP, your child will be transported similarly to regular education students. If you have questions regarding special transportation please contact the Special Services Department (513-829-4311).
Who do I call if I have other questions?
Please feel free to call our Transportation Department (513-829-6603). It is open year-round, including all summer.