Celiac And Daycare

[MichelleW]

My 18 month son goes to an in home daycare and I was wondering if anyone has any tips and tricks. I don't knwo what is fair to ask of them and how much is too much?

Thanks for all the help

[nmlove]

I'm assuming he goes all day? If it were me, I'd provide all his food. If the cost of sitting includes food, ask if his could be reduced. As far as other kids and cross contamination, after talking with the sitter explaining the situation, why not make it so that food is only eaten at the table (that's washed first) and all the kids wash their hands well after eating? And if the sitter wants to do something with play doh or other gluten type craft or recipe, you get a heads up and work together in making it gluten-free (you could help pitch in costs if necessary). Also, if the other kids have questions, a great book for young ones is Eating Gluten-Free with Emily. Both my 2 and 4 year old love it.

[Mom of a Celiac toddler]

These two sample letters were posted in 2007. You may want to do some verifying or tweaking to make sure it is accurate and useful for your child. I'm sure someone out there has something more current, but this worked for me with some tweaking. My daycare provider takes $5 off each day because I send him with all his own food. Although, she is great, and if the kids are having an orange and I sent an apple and he wants the orange she gives him some. She has a form of the list below and sticks to it. Because she gives him safe things the other kids are having, I occasionally give her a bag of fruit, a box of fruit snacks, a box of Capri Suns, or popsicles in the summer. It seems to balance out. I always have things cut up so it easy for her.

Good luck!

My child, ** **, has Celiac Disease (inability to consume gluten) and cannot eat most school foods and treats.

Thank you for your cooperation in creating a wheat/barley/rye/oat-free environment for **.