Transportation service for kids?

We've decided to move our 4 year old son from all day preschool/ daycare to one that will be ending around 2pm each day. My mom is available to take care of him, but she doesn't drive so we are trying to sort out how to get him from point A to point B at that time since both myself and my husband work in the city.

Anyone aware of a service in our area that will shuttle kids? Googling, I've found something of the sort in other parts of NJ, but none here.

I suppose the other option is just hiring a person directly to pick him up each day, but not sure how hard that would be/ who would be interested in such a small job...

I think this would be a very popular service and could be a business opportunity for some enterprising person.

There used to be a service called Vantastic that did this in this area. Not sure if they are still in business.

I just saw the Vantastic van yesterday on the street. http://www.vantasticshuttle.com/

In the past I also had luck hiring someone for an hour to do this type of run. Maybe a baby sitter with free time in that time window. A lot of schools end at 3 so someone may be willing to do this extra job right before their regular afternoon job starts.

Also Uber could be an option to first pick up your Mom, do pick up at preschool and come back home together.

Good luck!

I think i actually saw a service advertising in the Help Wanted section of MOL for drivers....I wouldn't remember how long ago or the name though.

you can also try to put the word out to other parents, maybe one of them would do it for some gas money.

We use a local service called Kiddie Kab. They've been extremely reliable - very much recommend.

http://www.dkiddiekab.com/

Uber for kids:

https://shuddle.us

Having a caregiver who does not drive, even when it is a loving grandmother, is not ideal. If you are going to ask other parents to fill in for you, be aware that it can be a real imposition and impact play dates and older kids' activities as well as general time management for the other parents. i would suggest using a paid service and having the grandmother be an active participant in the pickup process and be a passenger on the vehicle.

Thanks so much for the feedback, all - super helpful!

Another vote for Vantastic. We started using them shortly after they started for picking up our son from his half day pre-school when we learned that our au pair was unable to drive. We've since used Vantastic for runs to the airport and miscellaneous trips. Always a pleasant experience.

@HarleyQuinn is thinking about services to provide to local individuals and families and kid transportation was mentioned on the thread. https://maplewood.worldwebs.com/forums/discussion/id/119198-Thoughts-Hiring-a-go-to-girl-SO-M?

Hi all, I need to resurrect this thread. We are desperately in need of a transportation company that can get two kids home from Montclair to SO every day. The one we've been using has suddenly ceased operations. We reached out to Vantastic but they are booked solid. Station Wagon Service services one of my kids' schools but not the other, so they are not an option. We've exhausted all carpooling scenarios; what I am looking for is any other transportation service in Essex County that provides after-school rides for kids. Thanks so much!

Maybe have your mother take a taxi or an Uber to go get him? You can do that until Vantastic has an opening.

Oh, I'm not the original poster - I just tacked on to this thread b/c I need a trans. service and didn't want to start a duplicate thread. My mom's in Florida so she can't help. Sorry for the confusion.

kriss said:

Oh, I'm not the original poster - I just tacked on to this thread b/c I need a trans. service and didn't want to start a duplicate thread. My mom's in Florida so she can't help. Sorry for the confusion.

HA! Sorry about that. You probably should start a new thread. This one's pretty old.

shoshannah said:

kriss said:

Oh, I'm not the original poster - I just tacked on to this thread b/c I need a trans. service and didn't want to start a duplicate thread. My mom's in Florida so she can't help. Sorry for the confusion.

HA! Sorry about that. You probably should start a new thread. This one's pretty old.

Hahahaha - no, it's my bad - I should have paid attention to the dates. I think I was only on one cup of coffee and still reeling from the news that I had no way to get my kids home when I went looking for the thread. I remembered contributing to it but didn't remember it being from all the way back in 2015, so I thought those who had given input before would weigh in. But yeah, probably should start a new one. Thanks!