Feeling bit more positive about starting school

[freefrommum]

Finally managed to speak to head at son's new school today and feel so relieved. Have been really working myself up about it, not sleeping etc as I was worried that they might not take his allergies seriously and just think I'm some neurotic mother who thinks it's fashionable to say their child has allergies/intolerances. But the head was really great about it and suggested that I come in to the school before Sept to talk to the staff about how we manage his allergies at home and give advice about how it could be managed in school. He's also going to liaise with the school nurse and possibly the allergy nurse too. I might actually get some sleep tonight!

[Whelk]

I'm glad to hear that freefrommum.
My dd1 is also starting in September. She is allergic to egg (and dust and mould).
I must get cracking on talking to the school. I have been using all my energy on dd2 who is also allergic to milk, as well as the above (and has an epipen) and whose nursery is closing.
Thanks for the reminder.

Have you spoken with the school nurse? I had an initial chat with her as I wanted to select a school who would take allergies seriously.

[mum2twoloudbabies]

that's great news freefrommum. I'm not even anywhere close to that but the thought of it makes me shake.

[Weta]

Hey that's really great! It's so scary when you have to start each new stage, so it's excellent that the head was so understanding. I always think people will assume I'm neurotic but my experience has been that once they can see you are a genuine case (with medical evidence) then they are very good.

[freefrommum]

Thanks everyone. I will let you know how things progress. Whelk I have only briefly spoken to the school nurse, she told me she would be ringing again at end of June to arrange home visit to draw up care plan before discussing with school. babybarrister I'm probably going to take a copy of his latest consultant's letter too as it has his blood test results which were shockingly high so I can back up my claims about the severity of his allergies. I was so relieved that the head was clearly taking it very seriously and didn't make me feel like an over-protective neurotic parent. As you said Weta, the worry about being thought of in this way is probably unfounded but I can't seem to get it out of my head! I now have to start drawing up a list of dos and don'ts to help the staff at the school and point out possible risks that they may not have thought of (like using pasta for making collages or egg shells to grow cress, encouraging children to wash hands and faces after drinking milk etc) - quite a task!

[topiarygal]

Sounds like you've got a really helpful school there. If it helps, have a nose through this document and see if it triggers any points you want to cover when you meet up.
www.foodallergymums.com/index.cfm?fa=contentGeneric.glvmhtaexkmtakmq

good luck!

[freefrommum]

Thanks topiarygal, that's really useful, some great ideas there. I have also ordered a video from Anaphylaxis Campaign that I'm hoping will be useful too.

[Comma2]

Good news! I'm afraid of being blown off, too, when it comes to preschool. They appear nice about it, but they don't really have a clue.

I think it might be a good idea to get several concise memos about dc's allergens and treatment together, make a bunch of copies, and make sure everybody has one. You might even ask if you can send something home with the kids for the parents, like a friendly explanation of your dc's allergens and if parents could try to mind them a bit/talk with their kids so they won't smear peanut butter on his seat....maybe look up on the web what proactive measures people have taken, there are probably a lot better suggestions out there than mine. :)

[greenbananas]

It's really great that you're having such a positive experience - and it kind of gives me hope for the future. (I've been so worried about DS starting school that I have been seriously considering home education until he is old enough to carry his own medication!)

I'm sure you've thought of all this already, but before I had DS, I worked in a few infant schools and a pre-school... here is some of what I would/will be wanting to know:

• where exactly will the medication be kept? How quickly can it be accessed and by whom? (e.g. it is no good having it locked safely in the school office if the secretary who holds the keys to the cupboard is the other side of the school taking a message to someone)
  

- how will the school make sure that ALL staff know exactly when the medication should be used (e.g. training about symptoms & refresher courses so everyone stays aware)
- what is in place to make sure that support staff / lunchtime staff / students etc. are aware of the allergy? (i.e. not just the class teacher)

• how will the school make sure that supply teachers who come in at short notice are aware of the allergy?
  

Again, I'm really glad this is going well for you!!!