Keep a Roster: Rosters are helpful both on and off the bus. Check off the name of each passenger as you greet them, and designate a staff person to do this again as the children enter the facility.
Know your Passengers: Becoming familiar with your passengers adds an additional layer of protection. Greet each child by name when entering the bus.
Fill the Front: Have bus riders fill up the front seats first to eliminate any gaps in seating. This includes being intentional when seating children to avoid bullying and sexual abuse. Separate children by age, sex and behavioral needs.
Position Staff: Having at least one other staff member to accompany the bus driver is ideal. To increase visibility, place additional staff in the middle and/or back of the bus, (when available). Staff members should never sit in a seat with a child.
Eliminate Distractions: Implement a strict no-cell phone policy for riders and staff.
Perform a Vehicle Check: Have a "vehicle check complete" sign or an object, such as a cone, that signifies the bus has been checked. The sign should be in the front of the vehicle when parked, and in the back while in transit. This forces staff to walk to the rear of the bus to be sure every child is off of the bus before they move the sign/object back to the front.
Use Checklists: Post a "vehicle check" checklist in every bus, and make sure that staff are completing every step after every ride. You can find a sample checklist below.
Have Staff Leave Last: One staff member should remain behind and scan all of the seats in the bus to ensure that no child is forgotten.