Transportation
Policy
1310
Head Start children will be safely transported to and from class, educational field trips and to services required by the program.
Procedure
1. Head Start will provide KATS with information concerning the Head Start
Transportation Requirements.
2. KATS vehicles used to transport children will be equipped with: a. A communication system to call for assistance in case of an emergency. b. A charged fire extinguisher that is properly mo unted near the driver’s seat and a sign indicating its location. c. A first aid kit and sign indicating the location of the kit. The kit must contain all supplies as listed on the First Aid Kit Inventory Sheet KHS-
305. (Head Start staff and KATS will work together to keep these supplied). d. A seat belt cutter for use in an emergency evacuation and a sign indicating its location. e. An operable heater that is capable of maintaining a temperature of 65 degrees F. and a ventilation system.
3. Accidents involving Head Start children while riding in KATS vehicles will be reported to the KATS and Head Start Administrative Office. All accidents involving the transport of Head Start children or Head Start staff will be immediately reported to law enforcement and to the KI BOIS Administrative
Office. Head Start staff will obtain an accident report from the appropriate law enforcement officials.
4. Vehicles will be covered by medical and liability insurance as required by
Oklahoma laws governing the transporting of passengers.
5. Vehicles containing children are never left unattended.
6. KATS vehicles used to transport children are maintained in a clean, safe operating condition, free of hazardous objects or other nonessential items that could injure children. Baggage and other items will be properly stored to ensure aisles remain clear and doors and emergency exits are unobstructed.
7. Child safety restraint systems will be used on all KATS vehicles when transporting children.Children with disabilities will be transported as necessary by

use of appropriate vehicles and equipment. They will be transported with other children whenever possible. Specific transportation needs of individual children will be discussed at IEP meetings and if needed, the Disabilities Coordinator will assist in training for monitors and drivers regarding these needs.
8. Vehicles will not be used to transport children in excess of the maximum seating capacity.
9. Written documentation is kept of regular maintenance of all facility vehicles to include quarterly inspection of tire wear and pressure, brakes, lights, and functioning seat belts.
10. Maintenance and daily pre-trip inspections of KATS vehicles will occur according to KATS policies.
11. KATS drivers must meet the following qualifications: a. Have the knowledge, skills and experience to perform their assigned job duties. b. Meet any physical and mental requirements necessary to perform their job duties. c. Be at least 21 years old. d. Be a high school graduate or have the equivalent education and experience (substitute 1 year of experience in group care of pre-school children for 1 year of high school with a maximum substitution of 2 years). e. Maintain a valid CDL license required by the state of Oklahoma; f. Have no drug or alcohol related violations or accidents within the last three years. g. Have no conviction of moral charges, physical violence or child abuse. h. Demonstrate good judgment and use appropriate authority in working with children. i. Provide a statement from a licensed doctor of medicine or osteopathyverifying that they possess the physical ability to perform their job duties. j. Complete a KI BOIS Head Start Tuberculosis Screening or provide
KI BOIS with documentation from their health care provider that they are not a risk because of tuberculosis to our staff or children. k. Undergo a criminal background investigation including a search of the
Sexual Offenders Registry.
12. Drivers will be trained by KATS supervisors regarding Head Start transportation requirements.
13. Drivers will provide a safe place for the children to get on and off of the vehicle.
When possible, children will be picked up or let off on the same side of the street

of their home. Safe, off-street loading/unloading is desirable. Children will be protected from backing cars, between cars and from other traffic hazards.
14. Drivers will not back up while delivering children unless in specific circumstances approved by the KATS Director or in extreme emergencies.
15. Drivers will complete pre-trip inspections of the vehicle.
16. Drivers will ensure that all doors and windows are locked while the vehicle is moving.
17. Drivers will give children time to remain in the center until the teacher releases the class.
18. Drivers will serve as public relations advocates for the Head Start Program while cooperating with both center and parents.
19. Drivers will not transport children over dangerous road conditions or in hazardous weather. There may be times Public Schools will be open but KATS personnel will determine road conditions are too dangerous to run regular routes.
20. KATS drivers and Head Start staff will receive training on the following topics: a. Goals and philosophy of Head Start. b. Building relationships among staff. c. Increasing knowledge and skills needed to fulfill their job responsibilities. d. Methods for identifying and reporting child abuse and neglect. e. Transporting services for children with disabilities. f. Disease and accident prevention measures. g. First aid techniques. h. Use of a fire extinguisher. i. Safety in driving techniques. j. Confidentiality. k. Universal precautions regarding body fluid clean-up. l. Head Start discipline procedures. m. Policies regarding no smoking, no guns, and a drug-free workplace. n. Additional training according to changes in laws or regulations.
21. In addition to the training above, Head Start bus monitors will also receive training in the following: a. Use of child restraint systems. b. Storage of baggage and keeping emergency exits clear and unobstructed. c. Assisting children in getting on and off the vehicle. d. Child pick-up and release procedures.

e. Assisting children with disabilities. f. Safety education for children and parents. g. Emergency evacuation procedures. h. Proper documentation and paperwork.
22. KATS drivers and bus monitor will follow the guidelines below: a. No eating or drinking in the vehicles while children are being transported. b. Maintain confidentiality of children, families and staff. c. No cell phone usage except in an emergency. d. Comply with all KI BOIS policies regarding smoking, guns, and a drug free workplace. e. Use appropriate disciplinary measures. No physical punishment such as spanking, striking, shaking or cruel treatment may be used. No psychological punishment, such as humiliation by derogatory or sarcastic remarks about the child or his family, harsh or profane language, actual or implied threats of physical punishment may be used. f. Ensure proper sanitation by use of Universal Precautions which will include the use of latex gloves, sanitizing solution for use of body fluid clean-up, proper hand washing procedures, etc. ( See blood borne pathogens portion of the Safety Practices Policy). g. Ensure that each child is seated securely, providing assistance as necessary. (Seat belts must be utilized for all children who are 6 years old. Car seats will be utilized for children who are under 6 years old;
Car seats will be installed according to the manufacturer’s instructions). h. Conduct a thorough post-trip inspection for children or other items left on board at the conclusion of every route. i. KATS driver and bus monitor will be trained on how to complete evacuation drills. At least three bus evacuation drills will be conducted during the school year. The first drill will occur within thirty days after the beginning of the school year. Documentation of the drills will be recorded on the Emergency Drill Report KHS-301 and kept at the
Head Start Center. (Refer to the Transportation Evacuation Safety Drill
Policy).
23. The bus monitor will also follow guidelines listed below: a. Accompany the driver to pick up and take home all children assigned to the entire route. Center staff will inform monitor of changes in child’s destination for each day. b. Assume responsibility for the supervision of the child from the time of entry into the vehicle until time of discharge from the vehicle. c. Utilize the transportation Information fromthe Emergency Information
For Individual Child form KHS-301 which includes the name, address, telephone number, and an alternate number of designated adults who

could contact parent if needed. This form will be kept in the KATS
Transportation Binder and the monitor will take it with them for all routes. d. Assist children on and off the vehicle and into and out of the seat making sure child restraints are properly fastened and the child is secured before the vehicle proceeds. (Monitors should utilize safe lifting techniques to avoid an injury to self or child when physically lifting children). e. Ensure children are only released to the parent or legal guardian or other individuals identified in writing by the parent or legal guardian onThe Persons Authorized To Pick Up Child form KHS-300. KATS
Monitors will keep this form in the KATS Transportation Binder. f. All adults should utilize seat belts while the vehicle is in motion, except if the monitor must care for a child’s needs and stands to assist or supervise a child only when absolutely necessary. g. Refrain from unnecessary and excessive conversations with the driver or any other people while the bus is in motion. h. Secure the vehicle if the driver is suddenly incapacitated by a medical emergency. Monitors will be trained in how to shut off and secure the bus and how to use the radio or other communication device to call for help in an emergency. i. Assist in evacuating children during an emergency and is the primary person responsible for maintaining control and custody of children outside the vehicle. j. Ensure the medication policy is followed for children on an Individual
Health Care Plan KHS-103.
k. Assist driver in loading and securing a child and/or adaptive equipment such as wheelchairs, walkers, and/or operate wheelchair lift etc. l. Encourage a safe, enjoyable, orderly environment of the vehicle, utilizing games, children’s books, songs, etc. m. Teach children and reinforce transportation safety procedures and respect for others in developmentally appropriate ways. n. Report to supervisor any incidents, accidents, or unusual situations that could or did place a child at risk.
24. Head Start staff will be responsible to ensure the Child Emergency Information
Binder is taken on all educational field trips (See Child Emergency Information
Binder Policy).
25. The bus monitor will check attendance each time children board and exit the vehicle. The KATS Passenger Checklist KHS-302 will be used to check attendance for regular routes and the Center Attendance KHS-904 will be used to check attendance for educational field trips.

26. Bus monitor training will be provided by the Center Director, Disabilities
Coordinator, Health Coordinator, Safety Coordinator, Assistant Health
Coordinator, Assistant Disabilities Coordinator or other outside sources.
27. Bus monitors are required to watch the video “Transporting Pre-Schoolers Get a
Head Start On Safety.” Monitors will document training on the Staff
Requirements Documentation KHS 707 and also enter training information into
ChildPlus.
28. Bus monitors must have current documentation of certification in age-appropriate first aid and cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
29. If equipment is available, Center Directors will show parents the video
“Transporting Your Child Safely Pre-K/Head Start” at the second Parent
Committee Meeting. Parents and staff may also watch the transportation videos on the web at www.kibois.or
g .
30. Bus monitors will never allow the children to cross the street unattended; Parents will be asked to assist their child and if necessary the bus monitor will walk the child across the street.
31. Routes will be established so that children will not ride more than 60 minutes.
32. Staff using their vehicle taking children to services must visibly marked their vehicle with the name, address, and telephone number of the facility.
33. Appropriate child safety seats will be used when Head Start Staff are transporting children to services in their vehicles. Safety seats will be provided by Head Start.
Children are prohibited from sitting in the front seat of an airbag equipped passenger vehicle unless an airbag cut off switch is installed and activated or the vehicle has airbags equipped with weight sensitive devices.
34. Staff providing transportation for Head Start children must have current liability insurance on their vehicle and maintain a valid Oklahoma Driver's License.
35. Staff will review transportation rules daily and explain why they are important.
Focus on problem areas. For instance, if the children have been too loud,
36. Transportation rules will include the following: a. “We stay in our seat and buckle up.” b.
“We use our quiet voice." c. “We keep our hands to ourselves.” d. “We always do what the driver or monitor says.” explain that the driver must be able to hear a siren or a train whistle. Let the children explain in their own words why a rule is important. For instance, “If we eat on the vehicle we could choke.”
6-2015