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Allergies and intolerances

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Wheat free and school dinners?

6 replies

feynman · 12/02/2011 17:24

My son is starting reception in September. I went in to see his new school last week and mentioned his allergies. The ht asked if I would consider letting him stay dinners as all dinners are nut free whereas they can't prevent other kids bringing in any nut products in their pack up, so he would be better sitting with the school dinner kids.
The problam is ne also has a severe wheat allergy. The ht said this was fine and wouldn't be a problem for the dinner ladies but I honestly can't see how they can accomodate this based on what I know of school dinners. So I just wondered if anyone has a wheat free/nut free child at school whose having school dinners, and how this works out?

Thanks

OP posts:
castleonthehill · 12/02/2011 19:47

I know legally celiac is the only one they don't have to do. My dd is wheat intolerant was dairy as well but nut now. Our school cook did say I could come and look through her cupboard and see what things she could have but as my older dd didn't really think much of them and she wouldn't have had them every day I decided I was better sending her with sandwiches. There was a mum on here that had found a scheme where your child chooses some lunch buddies who sit with him who you take to their parent about what thing contain things you child can't be near. Which sounds good as nut bans don't work because unless it's your child you don't spot thing with hidden nuts.

Our school have a card system for teachers getting help at play time and in the classroom not sure what colours it is but they can give a coloured car to another pupil who can then take it to the office of another teacher the different colours refer to first aid, ambulance epipens They store the epipens in a drawstring bag on a high hook in the office (they are visible but out of child reach) the coloured cards show the adult what is deeded and stops them having to wait for a adult to stop talking. Seams a good idea

mumbar · 12/02/2011 20:03

We have wheat/dairy/tomato/ soya free children at my school. The kitchen caters for them all. Instead of the usual red/green choice they get 'special menu'. Unfortunatly it does eliminate the 'choice' as such but may be worth asking for a gander at the menu and see if your DS would like it.

I met with the cook herself at DS' school and got to know her. I said I understood she had many meals to cook and it was hard to do a different one. We talked about DS likes and dislikes and came up with a menu which he could eat from what was already on offer -and alternatives where needed, (it has to be agreed by county btw.)

The only thing I've had to teach my DS is to stand up for himself to dinner staff. EG He has 'tomato sauce' free menu but likes the pasta - the lovely cook does him pasta and just gives him cheese. Grin One dinner lady feels the need to comment everytime about why he orders it. I've told DS to say 'because I like pasta, just because I have an allergy it doesn't mean I can't like something'.

I love the idea of 'nut free buddies' and I would certainly send DS a totally nut free lunch (inc may contain items) - its never too young to teach children diversity and inclusion.

auntevil · 13/02/2011 22:31

Castleonthehill - how do you know that school dinners don't legally have to do coeliac? I ask because my LA said they would be unable to do my DS school dinners as they would not be able to do him a 'healthy' meal. He is fructose, sucrose and CMP intolerant.
They did lactose intolerant quite happily - and dairy free, but fructose and sucrose got the better of them!
Choice is a big issue with any of their special diet menus. it became such an issue with my DS2 (dairy intolerant only) that we gave up and went back to packed lunch

castleonthehill · 19/02/2011 19:13

I can't remember were I saw it. Must have been on the web somewhere. Would have either been on direct gov of a gluten free web site will try and find it.

castleonthehill · 19/02/2011 19:21

this isn't where I read it but amounts to the same thing.

FutureMrsButler · 25/02/2011 15:12

My daughter is in reception and has a wheat/gluten allergy. The kitchen told me that they could cater for her diet, although the school said they would not be able to make sure she selected the gluten free option due to the children to lunchtime supervisor ratios.

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