Transporting Pre-Schoolers

Special care must be taken by school bus drivers and monitors in transporting pre-schoolers, with a special emphasis on the safety restraint systems that are used to secure them in their seats. The type of restraint system to use is based on a child’s age and weight:

* Children under 20 lbs. and/or less than one year old must be in rear-facing safety seats. The harness straps should be at or below shoulder level. * Children weighing more than 20 lbs. and over one year old must be secured in convertible or forward-facing safety seats.
* Children weighing up to 40 lbs. must be placed in appropriate safety or booster seats, equipped with three or five-point harnesses.
* Children weighing from 40 to 50 lbs. should be secured using safety vests, which secure children at the shoulders and hips.