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Head Start & School Buses

School buses and allowable alternate vehicles built to Head Start's transportation rules, with the child restraints and monitor seating the program requires.

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Capacity: 9–30+ children + monitor
Wheelchair access: Lift available
CDL: Required above 14 passengers
Boarding: School-bus entry, stop-arm optional
Typical chassis: Ford E-350/E-450, Chevrolet 3500/4500

Head Start transportation runs to a federal rulebook: children ride in a school bus or an allowable alternate vehicle, in child safety restraint systems appropriate to their height and weight, with a bus monitor aboard. The vehicle has to satisfy the rule on day one and every day after, because the program's funding depends on it.

TESCO supplies Head Start grantees and small schools with Collins buses on Ford and Chevrolet chassis: integrated child restraint seats, monitor seating and emergency equipment. The same buses serve charter schools, private schools and district activity fleets.

Buyer's guide

What to spec

The decisions that matter for head start & school buses, the ones a rep will walk through with you before the build sheet.

Meet the federal standard

Head Start's transportation rule calls for a school bus or an allowable alternate vehicle fitted with child safety restraint systems and a monitor. Bring your grant's language and TESCO will spec to it.

Restraints by size

Integrated child seats and add-on restraints are rated by weight. Spec the mix against the ages you serve; Early Head Start programs need the infant-and-toddler range.

Monitor seating and aisles

The monitor needs a seat with reach to every child and an aisle they can move through. It's a layout decision, not an afterthought.

Route bus or activity bus

Route pickups where traffic must stop need a true school bus with stop arm and flashers. Trips that don't stop traffic can use an MFSAB, which costs less and is simpler to license.

Wheelchair positions

A lift and one or two securement positions keep the bus usable for every enrolled child. Plan for it even if no child needs it this year.

Grant timelines

Program purchases often have funding deadlines. In-stock units and TESCO's cooperative purchasing contracts shorten the path from approval to delivery.

Fits this work

Vehicles that fit this work

The platforms TESCO specs most often for head start & school buses. Each links to its model or brand page.

The core Head Start bus: school-bus construction with integrated child restraints. Explore

20–30 passenger school and activity buses. Explore

14-passenger layouts for small programs. Explore

Also fits this work: Chevrolet 3500 Bus Chevrolet Express-based small school bus.

On the lot

In stock now

Live from TESCO's lot, matched to head start & school buses by body type. Open any panel for photos, floorplans and pricing.

New orders

2 on the lot

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Pre-owned

22 that fit · first 3

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Every new order and pre-owned unit in the body types that fit head start & school buses, with filters, photos and pricing.

Activity/Child Care Buses

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Questions

Questions we get about head start & school buses

Can we buy through a cooperative purchasing contract?

Yes. TESCO holds state and cooperative contracts that many grantees and districts can purchase from without a separate bid. See the fleet contracts page or ask a rep which apply to you.

What if a child needs a wheelchair position?

Specify a lift and securement positions; they fit alongside the child restraint seats. TESCO lays out the floor so the monitor can still reach every seat.

Do you provide driver training?

Not directly. TESCO's child care bus driver training page gathers safety curricula and training programs that cover pre-trip inspection, loading and unloading, and child-check procedures. Head Start programs usually add their own annual refresher.

Related uses

Also worth a look

CHILD CARE BUSES

COLLEGE & UNIVERSITY BUSES

CHURCH BUSES

Spec it with someone who's built it before

Tell a TESCO rep what your routes look like and they'll come back with a build sheet, a delivery date and a price, whether you buy new, buy pre-owned or lease.

Request a quote Call 800.227.3572

Head Start & School Buses