Following on from Holiday club contaminating DS...

[wangle99]

I have had a reply and although they have apologised I want to know what they are going to do to make sure it doesn't happen again.

I don't want to sound pushy mother BUT I feel their systems for dietary needs are a bit rubbish (I think they resort to memory!).

Ok reply was...

We use cadburys and tesco value, will check on Monday which is open at the moment. If it is due to this then obviously we offer our deepest appologies. Staff do check for any allergies/ dietry requirements for individual children. I made the hot chocolate on Friday so if it was value hot chocolate and if it does contain wheat then it is my fault. I am sorry to hear that DS has been been unwell and i hope that he is better now.

We are normally really hot on things like this, especially on DS's requirements with wheat. DS and DD are normally very good too.''

Its irrelevant which hot chocolate they used as they BOTH contain wheat/gluten are unsuitable for coeliac/wheat/gluten intolerance!!

Any advice, thank you?

Perhaps give them a list of 'safe' hot chocolates?

Personally, I don't think "We use cadburys and tesco value" is a good start. They should be "using" whatever is safe for the children in their care, having carefully checked all the ingredients first! If she made the hot chocolate on Friday, why didn't she check the ingredients first?

I'd be asking them what procedures they have in place to make sure that all the food and drink they offer the children has been checked against any allergies, and providing substitutes for anyone who can't use their standard product. Or preferably changing their standard product.

Thank you, I am not sure if I am over reacting here but I do worry what they'll give him next.

I did say he wasn't to have anything of theirs other than fruit and juice to drink but obviously they 'forgot' I said that too.

Am going to go there and have a word with them, I don't think a suitable reply can be sent via email.

Sounds like going in to see them would be a good idea. I don't think you are over-reacting, and I suspect that a face to face discussion (possibly followed up with an email to confirm) would be more effective.

Hope you get a more satisfactory response.

I'm sorry to hear about what you been going through with the holiday club, I don't think you are over reacting at all. They have a duty of care for every child and it is their job to check and double check. If you are not happy with how they handle things then I suggest you sit and type up your own policy/procedure for how you want them to check your children's food/drink. Ask for a meeting with the staff and hand each one a copy and let them know that you are happy to answer any questions they might have regarding the issue.
When my dd was prescribed Epipen I wrote my own policy/procedure for the school as they said they didn't have one in place!!!! They were quite happy for me to do it and I felt reassured that they had my wishes in writing.
How about investing in some alert stickers, badges or a wristband when he is at the club, this could give a visual reminder to the staff when perhaps they might be tired, stressed, busy etc. or whatever excuse they might come up with!!!!
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