I recently read about an interesting service offered by a transportation department at a school district in Houston. 

Information on the transportation page of Aldine Independent School District’s Website indicates that the department has a nursery for its bus drivers, attendants and technicians. Employees who have children ages 24 months through fourth grade can utilize the nursery’s services. 

The site says that while employees are on their route, a shuttle bus will take their children to the nearest Aldine school. If a child is not in school, the nursery staff will watch the child while the employee is on his or her route. After completing the route, the child must be picked up.

I am relatively new to the school bus industry (this month marks my second year with SBF), but this is the first I’ve heard of a transportation department providing this type of service for its employees, and I think it deserves commendation.

I don’t have children, but I have full appreciation for entities that make child care easier for working parents. My parents worked long and varying hours while I was growing up — particularly when I was in elementary school — so I was dropped off at a kid’s club at the school in the morning before class started and I stayed there after school until they picked me up after getting off of work.

I know that having a dedicated group of people to watch me during the week while my parents were at work put their minds at ease, and I can imagine that the same can be said for the drivers, attendants and technicians at Aldine Independent School District.    

I’m curious if this type of service is available at other operations throughout the country. Does your school district or bus company offer day care or child care services for its employees? Or, does it offer other services for its employees that you consider unique or unusual?

If so, we’d love to read about them. Leave a comment below or send an e-mail to info@schoolbusfleet.com.

Until next time,

Kelly Roher

Associate Editor