Help With Daycare

[gfgypsyqueen]

How do you handle daycare when they let your child eat an absolute NO NO food?

My child was allowed to eat a known "not allowed" item. When I questioned it, I get the look like I am the idiot here. The answer was "she took it". Well heck she's taken things from me too, BUT I TAKE THEM OUT OF HER HANDS!!!! I certainly do not allow her to eat something that I know is bad for her, just because she took it. What kind of answer is that!!!!

How do you make the school teachers understand the seriousness of celiac disease and importantce of not allowing kids to share food???

SO FRUSTRATED!

Any advice would be appreciated!!!

[luvs2eat]

Yikes! Would they let a child w/ a peanut allergy just TAKE something that might lead to anaphylactic shock???

Would a Medic Alert bracelet make them realize the seriousness of your requests??

[gfgypsyqueen]

Too funny! My older child has an anaphylactic peanut/tree nut allergy. She had her initial anaphylactic reaction when we found out about the allergy and we have never had a second reaction. It's been almost 5 years. I mean, wwhat if the baby in daycare had an anaphylatic reaction. What would the answer be then???? So thanks to all my previous experience with allergies, I tend to go a little overboard sometimes about the allergies.

But seriously, when I put my kid in daycare I expect them to act as the parent while I am at work. Isn't that the general idea???

[cajun celiac]

My advice would be to talk to the day care director. Perhaps get a letter or something from the doctor stating your child has celiac disease and ask the director to keep it in your child's file. Seeing a medical document may have some effect. If you explain the seriousness of celiac disease to the director ~ and compare it to an allergic reaction that someone would physically see like peanut/diary/etc ~ you may get some cooperation. The other kids in my little one's classroom that have allergies have poster size signs on the wall with their name and type of allergy. The posters are in the classroom and kitchen area. Trust me, your child is not the first one to attend that daycare center with an allergy. Tell them you insist your child's health is treated with the same respect as the other children.

[JennyC]

I would find a new childcare provider ASAP. It sounds like your child's provider doesn't take you or Celiac disease seriously. That is not ok. You need to feel good about who you leave your child with. If you work full time, then your child is spending a significant part of life there. There are childcare providers out there who will respect you and be diligent with the Celiac diet. My son's childcare provider is FANTASTIC! She would never gluten my son, or let him gluten himself. There is a better childcare provider out there. It sounds like you need to start looking. Your state should have a list of state-certified providers. Get the list and start calling! Once you find a better provider, it will be a huge relief.

[bchapa]

How do you handle daycare when they let your child eat an absolute NO NO food?

My child was allowed to eat a known "not allowed" item. When I questioned it, I get the look like I am the idiot here. The answer was "she took it". Well heck she's taken things from me too, BUT I TAKE THEM OUT OF HER HANDS!!!! I certainly do not allow her to eat something that I know is bad for her, just because she took it. What kind of answer is that!!!!

How do you make the school teachers understand the seriousness of celiac disease and importantce of not allowing kids to share food???

SO FRUSTRATED!

Any advice would be appreciated!!!

Wow that is frustrating. Unfortunately I get the feeling from most daycares they only care for the protection of our children because they don

[heathen]

i work in a daycare, so here's the skinny. talk to the director and bring literature that clearly explains the care your child needs--and tell them that EVERY teacher needs to be informed about your child's needs. if the director does not immediately and actively work to fix this problem, absolutely remove your child. if the director tells you that they can't accomodate your child and is nasty or rude about it, call your state's licensing board. they HAVE to make reasonable accomodations for food sensitivities. but above all, be patient and kind.

[gfgypsyqueen]

Thank you for all the advice. Unfortunately I was already running into small problems at the daycare, so the food incident was the last issue. No second chance. I am just furious that the people at that schoolwho the teachers do not get or care about the allergy issue. I know not all teachers are like this. We have had fantastic teachers with other children.

The baby started a new daycare today. They are great. We spent a long time reviewing the allowed foods, labels, etc. Plus, food is not as much of an issue - the teacher has had food allergic kids in her class before. Hopefully things will go better at this school.

Typically, I make 3 or 4 laminated sheets for the schools. The sheet has the childs photo, name, allergy, emergency course of action (for anaphylatic reaction), label reading key words to look for, brands or items that are generally safe, etc. The elementary school found this helpful. I give a few to the main teacher, one for the cafeteria, and print more as needed. I found the photo on the page really helps.

[JennyC]

Good for you! We as parents need to be the best advocate for our children. I wish you the best of luck with your new situation. I think I will try your laminated paper idea when my son starts school. Thanks for the idea!