Pickup and carpool schedule template: free printable
A free weekly pickup and carpool schedule: who does drop-off, who does pickup and the backup for each day, plus a contact sheet for every driver.
Short answer
A pickup schedule shows, for each school day, who does drop-off, who does pickup and who the backup is. Print the weekly grid and the driver contact sheet below, fill them in with the other adults, and add every backup adult to the school’s authorized pickup list before they’re needed.
Prints on US Letter. Free to copy for your family, class or PTA.
Drop-off and pickup schedule
Weeks of: ____________________. Write the day and date, then a name and a time in each box. The backup is who you call when plans change.
| Day | Drop-off | Pickup | Backup | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Free printable from Mapa. Mapa handles the kids’ paperwork. You get more time with them.
Drivers and backup adults
Everyone who might drive or pick up, even once a year.
| Name | Phone | Kids | Car seat? | Authorized at school? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Free printable from Mapa. Mapa handles the kids’ paperwork. You get more time with them.
How to use it
- Fill in the contact sheet first: parents, grandparents, a sitter, the carpool families.
- On the grid, give each drop-off and pickup a name and a time, and pick a backup for each day.
- Ask the school office how to add backup adults to the authorized pickup list. Tick the last column once they’re on it.
- Note who has a car seat or booster that fits each child.
- Tape a copy by the door and text a photo of it to every driver.
- Redo it when activities change, and mark early release days as soon as they’re announced.
A filled-in example
Mon, Oct 5 · Drop-off: Sam, 7:40 AM · Pickup: the Riveras, 3:15 PM · Backup: Grandma Jo Wed, Oct 7 · Drop-off: Sam, 7:40 AM · Pickup: Jordan, 12:30 PM (early release) · Backup: the Riveras · Notes: soccer at 4:30 PM, cleats in the car Contact row: Grandma Jo · (555) 555-0142 · Leo, Mia · Booster for Mia: yes · Authorized at school: yes, added Wed, Sep 2
Tips
- Name a backup for every day, not just the busy ones. A late meeting doesn’t check the calendar first.
- Get backup adults on the authorized pickup list now. Ask the front office how pickup by someone new works, how to add a name and whether that adult needs photo ID.
- Carpool means the right seat in every car. The AAP says children should ride in a booster until the seat belt fits, often at 4 feet 9 inches and 8 to 12 years old, and everyone under 13 rides in the back seat.
- Early release days move pickup by hours. Write them on the grid the week the school calendar comes out.
- If your child will walk, the AAP says children are ready to walk to school without an adult around ages 9 to 11.
Questions parents ask
How do I make a carpool schedule?
List the drivers, give each one fixed days for drop-off or pickup, and name a backup for each day. Share one copy with everyone, and update it when activities change.
Who should be on my child’s authorized pickup list?
Every adult who might pick up your child, even once a year: the other parent, grandparents, a sitter and carpool parents. Add them before they’re needed, and ask the office whether they’ll need photo ID.
What car seat does my child need for carpool?
The AAP says children should ride in a belt-positioning booster until the seat belt fits, often at 4 feet 9 inches tall and 8 to 12 years old. All children under 13 should ride in the back seat.
What’s a fair way to split pickups between parents?
Start from work schedules rather than a strict 50/50, and give each adult the same days every week. Trade whole days instead of single runs, and write every swap on the grid.