Transporting Children as a Family Child Care Provider
Let's say a parent wants her family child care provider to pick up her child from her home or return the child at the end of the day. What are the issues you should consider before agreeing to do this?
Your primary concern is to make sure the child is transported safely. To ensure this you should:
* Maintain your valid driver's license.
* Make sure the car is in good working order.
* Comply with all state seat belt and child passenger restraint systems requirements under the law. Take training if you are not sure what these requirements are.
* Comply with all state child care licensing rules regarding the transportation of children. Some states require providers to take special training workshops.
* Carry a cell phone in the car so you can communicate with the parent in the event of a traffic jam or emergency.
* Maintain proper supervision if other children will also be picked up or dropped off.
* Follow proper safety procedures if you will be making other stops along the way. (Children should never be left alone in a car, even for a moment.)
* Have the parent(s) sign a statement authorizing you to transport the child.
* Inform the parent in writing if someone else may be transporting the child (either on a regular basis or only in an emergency). If another person besides you will be transporting the child, review all of the above instructions with the driver.
Insurance Issues
You need to make sure that your car insurance will cover you, the children, and your car if there is an accident. You should have a business insurance policy (also called a commercial insurance policy) when you transport a child on a regular basis. A typical personal car insurance policy will not cover a child in this situation.
Many providers may not be aware of the necessity of having a business insurance policy, so you should ask your car insurance agent about this. If your agent assures you that you are covered, ask to have this put in writing, either in the form of a letter on the agent's stationary stating directly that children being transported are covered, or have a statement added to the certificate of insurance that the policy is a business (or commercial) policy. Without one of these two written statements, you should assume that your policy will not cover you if you are transporting children.
You should also increase your insurance coverage limits to protect yourself in case of an accident. This is particularly true if you are transporting more than one child at a time.The cost of business car insurance can be high. If you cannot afford to purchase this insurance do not transport children. The biggest financial risk you can take is to get into a car with children without adequate car insurance.
Tom Copeland - www.tomcopelandblog.com
Image credit: https://freesvg.org/baby-on-board-sign-vector-image
For further information see my Family Child Care Legal and Insurance Guide.
