Pre-school

[buddhasmommy]

Hello all. I'm new here, and I'm new to this lifestyle! My 3 yr old has been confirmed to be Gluten intolerant (at the least). I told her pre-school all about the situation and they nicely said that I'll need to bring all of her lunch and snacks from here on out. Is that reasonable? And the first day since I talked to them and provided her food, I picked her up to find all the kids eating Cheerios which were scattered about the tables, and she had some carrots (Great!!), but she had managed to eat at least a few pieces of cereal....it was on her breath and in her mouth. So how do you all handle matters outside of the home such as these? Thanks

[darlindeb25]

As of yet, the school probably isnt required to provide food for special diets. As for the cherrios, buy your child some gluten free cherrios to have when the others are having them--just make it very specific to the school that the child must have just her own cherrios and no one elses. If a child is given the choice between carrots and what everyone else is having, of course she will want theirs. Ask what the snacks will be so you can send for your daughter something similiar. Their telling you that you must bring your own food in may not be reasonable, but it's your child's safety at issue here and you may just feel better sending her own food. Deb

[mmaccartney]

Hello all. I'm new here, and I'm new to this lifestyle! My 3 yr old has been confirmed to be Gluten intolerant (at the least). I told her pre-school all about the situation and they nicely said that I'll need to bring all of her lunch and snacks from here on out. Is that reasonable? And the first day since I talked to them and provided her food, I picked her up to find all the kids eating Cheerios which were scattered about the tables, and she had some carrots (Great!!), but she had managed to eat at least a few pieces of cereal....it was on her breath and in her mouth. So how do you all handle matters outside of the home such as these? Thanks

I think it is totally reasonable for them to ask you to bring meals and snacks from here on out.

We did this for our children in pre school. Now that the oldest is entering school we have him on a 504 plan. It is for his peanut allergy, not celiac though it can still be applicable. we will always supply their meals and snacks. I actually prefer it that way, there is less risk for them if we provide their meals.

As far as the others eating gluten food and yours getting ahold of it. You need to train her to not eat food if it did not come from you. You can only expect so much from the "real world". My boys will not eat food that we have not given them, at one school function someone was trying to give him a piece of cheese pizza, and he firmly told them NO, I cannot have that.

[CarlaB]

I think it's reasonable for them to have you bring your own food.

I would stress with them that she has a serious food intolerance and ask them what they can do so that there are not Cheerios all over the place for her to eat. If they do not have a satisfactory solution, I would find another preschool that takes her intolerance seriously. If your child is in pre-school, she is too young to expect to have the self-control or understanding to not eat food lying around.

I would find out what snack they are serving so that you can provide a similar one.

[mamatide]

Hello all. I'm new here, and I'm new to this lifestyle! My 3 yr old has been confirmed to be Gluten intolerant (at the least). I told her pre-school all about the situation and they nicely said that I'll need to bring all of her lunch and snacks from here on out. Is that reasonable? And the first day since I talked to them and provided her food, I picked her up to find all the kids eating Cheerios which were scattered about the tables, and she had some carrots (Great!!), but she had managed to eat at least a few pieces of cereal....it was on her breath and in her mouth. So how do you all handle matters outside of the home such as these? Thanks

Well, actually, I prefer to bring in my DD's meals at preschool - that way I know for sure that it's been prepared carefully (read: no cross-contamination) and all ingredients were inspected carefully. It's no picnic for them either. They had to be vigilant that the other kids weren't reaching in to Kate's lunch all the time (she was getting glutened by their crumby hands). But of course her lunch was always more exciting because she was the only one eating different foods.

I did make an effort to send her gluten-free animal crackers and cheerio-type cereals because I knew they ate that stuff all the time and it would be less of an attraction.

I taught her to wipe off her table and usually gave her her own plate to eat off of - she learned not to eat anything that dropped onto the crumby table.

I'm so glad preschool is done for the summer - yesterday, on her last day, after playing play-doh (Kate washes her hands twice after playing in it) another kid stuck her finger in Kate's mouth (probably accidentally but who knows?) and sure enough, she's had D and cramps all last night and today. PITA to say the least.

Anyway, short answer is that I think it's completely acceptable for them to insist that you bring in your own food.

Good luck - it's not easy sometimes.

[VydorScope]

Well, actually, I prefer to bring in my DD's meals at preschool - that way I know for sure that it's been prepared carefully (read: no cross-contamination) and all ingredients were inspected carefully. It's no picnic for them either. They had to be vigilant that the other kids weren't reaching in to Kate's lunch all the time (she was getting glutened by their crumby hands). But of course her lunch was always more exciting because she was the only one eating different foods.

I agree we send all of our son's food in, always and everywhere he might go.

[wonkabar]

It is 100% reasonable for the preschool to ask that you send in appropriate snacks for your daughter. The district we live in will not provide snacks for any of the preschoolers due food allergies and such. I honestly prefer it this way. I also think it's 100% reasonable for you to ask the preschool staff to be cognizent of your daughter's dietary issues and act accordingly...I say that both as a parent of a 3 y/o in preschool who is wildly intolerant to gluten AND as a teacher.

That being said, I would give the teacher's/aide's very specific information about gluten intolerance/Celiac Disease and nicely, but firmly lay out your expectations. It sounds like they just need to be educated about her dietary issues in order to understand the seriousness of it all. If you let them see that you're educated about this and willing to openly discuss it, it should lend itself to them asking questions. My son's teacher often asks questions. In fact, I just sent her a link to the Q and A section of this website! She's already emailed me with a couple of questions! Good luck!!

--Kristy

[Guest nini]

I sent all my daughter's food for pre school... her school was extremely supportive because they saw the tremendous difference in her before gluten free and after gluten free... feel free to e-mail me to ask any questions... I'd be glad to share what worked with us, my e-mail is nisla@comcast.net I'd go into detail tonight but I've been out all day at a health fair doing spinal screenings and I'm exhausted.

[Satori]

I agree with the others, I sent in all my dd's food as well. Were home schooling now but for preschool/daycare I sent in her food every day.

[kenyonsmommy]

My daughter, who is not celiac, just "graduated" from preschool last week and at the school party I spoke with her teacher about when we send our son, who is celiac, to school in about a year. She told me that she would keep a small bin in the back with a variety of snacks that I could bring in, then she would just match up as best she could to what the others were eating. Also, for birthdays, she would give me a heads up so I could make something special for Kenyon. I figured that I would send a variety of things in small zip locked baggies, so they stay fresh, such as pretzels and crackers, also snack puddings. I'll also keep some things in the freezer, like I do now, such as mini muffins to bring on occasion.

I figure communication is the key, lots of it.