Teacher gave dd milk chocolates

[Nummynums]

Hi,
Just wondering how/what you guys would feel if your child was given milk chocolates as a Xmas present by her class teacher despite knowing she is allergic to milk?

Thanks I guess I should look into HSE if they do fail to accept they need to make more of an effort.

I do agree, it is definitely possible for them to make reasonable adjustments, her old nursery were very good, there were some mistakes made but they were innocent mistakes and they always apologised rather than try to pass the blame onto us.

I guess I won't take it lying down if it means I am forced to pull dd out of school she is happy and settled in for her safety. I have emails of assurances made before she started, that they would cater to her needs. It's a shame really. I hate doing this sort of thing It's really stressing me out especially I have some exams in Spring/Summer that I don't need this aggro. If it was anything else I would leave it but I would feel like such a bad mother if I just let them get on with it for the sake of not causing dd and I any distruption.

Op - the school wouldn't forget or dismiss it if one of these children had an allergic reaction - only happened to me once (not in a classroom) when a friend with a nut allergy was fed something that was supposed to be nut free. Scared the life out of me how quickly it happened. I am amazed it is dealt with so glibly at your dd's school - we have posters all over the school of pupils with allergies and lists of staff with Epi pen training etc. I hope you get it sorted.

I don't understand posters who are defending the school here. The Christmas present could have been a mistake but surely then the teacher would apologise as soon as she realised?
The baking is ridiculous, there really is absolutely no excuse for using dairy products in a lesson. Alternatives are not expensive, easily available and would suit the whole class so why would you not use them?
My ds has a recently qualified teacher with little experience of food allergies/intolerances. When his class were baking she came out to the playground the week before and asked me for suggestions for ingredients for him. He is 'only' Intolerant but she didn't want to make him ill. After a quick chat I offered to provide a couple of things for the whole class so ds wasn't singled out and so she knew he would be okay. I don't think I realised how lucky we are until I read this thread.

Hi 3boys, I feel the same about her old nursery, I was grateful at the time but now I feel I should go back and thank them again for all their efforts (which made me more forgiving of their blunders)

I would've been more lenient about the gift if I could see that generally she makes an effort to at least consult me before an activity or trip takes place but usually it's me running to her. She happily took my money for dd's Xmas lunch and when I queried what they would do about the butter in the mash and icecream she said id have to provide it myself, I honestly hoped she would say they'd take care of it. I then asked for £1 back so I could provide half of the lunch myself

End of the day you wouldn't expect a teacher, someone paid to take care of your child and ensure their safety, to be so lax about these things.

Those people defending the teacher and hailing her as some hero don't seem to understand a huge part of training is inclusion and differentiation and also risk assessment/safety or does that only apply to the majority students and minority are too much hassle to accommodate? I am secondary trained in the state sector and whilst I have many more classes to deal with than a little class of 15 I would certainly expect a slap on my wrists if I gave a teenage girl in a class of 30 an allergen as a present, never mind a 5 year old. I most certainly wouldn't say "be grateful I paid for that myself". Not to mention risk assessments when baking (though not my subject!) although maybe less of an emphasis in primary?

But I do agree The present is just a reflection of their general attitude to her allergies. if the complaint has to go formal I will focus on the baking activity rather than the gift. I will also try to find another school in the meantime but really don't think we'd get a place in the state sector.

I have read the school's complaints procedure and because reception is still EYFS I can complain to ofsted or isi if the head fails to sort this out.

Thanks everyone for all your support in this.

I'd be livid! I can't tolerate any cow's milk products myself, so I know how disappointed I am to open something and realise I can't eat it - must be awful for a small child. If the teacher is going to decide to give something, then she must take responsibility for her choices. Would she be so wishy-washy about it if it were a life threatening allergy, such as nuts? Possibly so!

As for ingredients, then that is even worse. If you weren't trying so hard to ensure dd's needs are met, then she could easily end up baking in class, and then eating some of it, not realising that she shouldn't.
The teachers are in loco parentis while dd is at school, so ought to be looking out for her. Surely a bit of 'above and beyond' is what you are paying all that money for!

ExMother - dairy allergies can be life-threatening too!!!!

OK, it's in the Daily Fail, but:
www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3300529/Seven-year-old-British-boy-dies-severe-allergic-reaction-dairy-staff-ignored-parents-request-not-cheese-food-Italy.html

please don't think that only nut allergies are fatal.

I think the teacher was just extremely busy at the end of term and didn't think when she was buying the gifts. Disappointing for the child I agree. Put a couple of sweets and dairy free cake ( Freedom Foods) in a box for her in case of birthday cakes brought in.
Does your child have a Health Care Plan in place? She would in a local authority school.
A lot of teaching staff don't realise the affect it has to eat dairy if you are allergic. I have even had people in catering think I can't have eggs! Or they tell me they have gluten free bread. And?
Re the baking: could you provide alternative marg etc the day before. Plastic gloves? Perhaps you could give them a couple of recipes like carrot cake so the whole class could make something dairy free. Good luck with it. If they are still not taking it seriously get your GP to write a letter.

Speak to your consultant/GP and explain how lax they have been. Ask the Gp to write to the school copying in the head and teacher.

Ditsy The OP has already stated that there is a box in school for the teachers to use.

I do wonder how the new legislation wrt Allergies applies to school and the school system.