Dealing with allergies when starting school. Nut ban, eating with friends... <<gulp>>

[Megletitsnow]

DS starts school next year. He has several nut allergies (the worst being peanut, pine nut and almond) plus kiwi and pineapple.

The school I want him to go to don't ban nuts (which is fair enough). So obviously I am panicking about someone accidentally giving him nuts, kiwi, pineapple at meal times.

How does everyone else manage when their DC starts school? I'm working myself into a state over this .

Is it a large school or a small country school? We attend a small country school and my friend's son was well known amongst the staff and pupils. He was severely allergic and never had any bother. The canteen was even prepared to cook for him although his family made him a packed lunch every day. They didn't ban any of the foods he was allergic to - the list was extensive. What they did do was ban kids from sharing food or swapping food at break or lunch.

Thank you, it's a small town school. It hadn't occurred to me that might be a good thing .

DS is very sweet with his allergies, he always announces it at nursery when the other children have kiwi. " I have allergies" .

I will ask them about food swopping, that's something I can imagine little children doing .

My little girl starts in January! She has a severe nut, sesame seed and chick pea allergy and very bad eczema. I like you was very worried. It is a small school - they have been amazing! I've met the cook at school and they know all her allergies and are prepared to cook for her. She will be having dinner. She currently attends the nursery here so they already know her.

The other children all have cereal bars etc at break time and like you this was causing me great concern . However, she has her own special bar and everyone is so aware that they can't share with her. She is good at telling people what she can't have. Her epipen is centrally stored and all staff are trained. I had sleepness nights before but now I feel comfortable. She has a settling in day today, so I am slightly worried, but I know she will be fine .

Before he starts make sure you meet with the school. The school nurse should come and see you and go through a care plan that is stored in school. It covers things like school trips etc. Meet with the catering staff also, which I found a great help. Things like they were unsure to give her ice cream as it said 'may contain traces of nuts'. It just clears everything up.

I am sure DS will be fine! It will make him more mature and grown up!

Good Luck

evanna I never thought about speaking to the school nurse and the catering team. I will add it to my list of things to sort out .

Sleepless nights is about right

Hope it works out all right for your ds.

I'd suggest finding out their protocols for PROPERLY supervising these things.

Dd was given salmon in a school dinner fish pie at her school because the kitchen staff failed to supply an alternative and she just ate what everyone else was eating, not knowing it contained salmon.

The Head's letter in reply to my complaint basically stated that dd should have known not to eat it. (Dd was mildly sick, not a big deal)

Well, yes, maybe she should have thought about what might have been in a fish pie, but she was only 9, and the school is in loco parentis and failed to supervise properly. That same week another child ate "forbidden" food and was also made ill.

The school obviously had systems in place but the supervision failed. If I had a child who would be severely impacted by eating the wrong food I would be on their case repeatedly to check that their protocols were being strictly followed. There's only so much responsibility that a child can be expected to take.

I know a 19 year old girl who died of a peanut allergy this summer.

I've had a very happy time with DS' school. Food Allergy Mums have a draft of a 'starting school' document which is being developed for schools, it has a lot of useful content for mums as well - it's a bit lengthy at the moment (we've been asked to provide a process structure by the LEA)but it might help you - do email me if you'd like a copy - I'm in the middle of a house rebuild and move so sorry if it's a few days late, I'll be off line for a few days knowing phone line connections!
good luck!
Tania