Guidelines for managing food allergies in child care

Policy Statement

Cybertots Child Care Centre believes that children’s mealtimes are enjoyable occasions which can offer positive learning opportunities that encourage children to establish and develop healthy eating habits. Children’s food preferences are always respected, and special diets are followed. Family religious and cultural beliefs and practices are embraced and they are given the opportunities to be active participants in the planning and implementation of the menu. Staff will be given the appropriate training and resources to carry out the Nutrition and Food Handling Policy. Peanut Butter will not be stored or used at the centre.

Considerations:

• Philosophy - Children to develop a healthy, positive attitude toward food and experience a healthy nutritional diet.
• Legislation - This will vary from State to State and be dependent upon current Legislation.
• Children’s Needs - Children to enjoy meal times and to establish positive healthy eating habits. Medical needs to be considered.
• Parents Needs - Families religious and cultural preferences to be respected.
• Staff Needs - Receive training and appropriate resources.
• Management - Clear guidelines enabling Committee to fulfil Management tasks.

How Policy will be implemented (Specific Policies and Procedures):

Food allergies should not be thought of lightly as serious situations can develop very quickly when a child has an allergic reaction to food or drink.

At enrolment, the child's parent(s) and/or guardian(s) are asked for details of any allergies the child may have. This information is then recorded on the child's enrolment records. However, if the child is very young, the parent(s) and/or guardian(s) may not yet be aware that an allergy exists.

Please follow these guidelines at all times:

• Parents of children just starting to eat solids will be asked to provide a list of foods their child has already experienced. When the centre menu is introducing a new food this parent will be contacted and given the choice of introducing the food item at home first.
• Ask parent(s) and/or guardian(s) to provide doctor's advice on details of the allergy and what are suitable substitutions.
• Make sure the list of children with food allergies is displayed clearly to all staff preparing or serving snacks and/or meals.
• Cybertots must have authorisation to administer medicine where required.
• Encourage the child to take responsibility for their food selections. They need to develop life skills to assist them as they get older.
• Don't isolate the child who has an allergy. It is important to include foods in the menu that everyone can eat.
• Become familiar with the foods/drinks that potentially contain allergens.

It is important to appreciate that every child is different. Even if two children have an allergy to the same food, there will be some very distinct individual differences. For this reason, it is necessary for child care centres to receive as much information as possible from the child's parent(s) and/or guardian(s), doctor(s) and dietician(s).

Brochures and information on food allergies are available for staff and parents in the foyer area of Cybertots.