Favourite nursery won’t accept child due to allergies

[Costumemaker]

Hello,

Just having a little sad rant but also looking for advice from other parents with children who suffer from food allergies.

I’ve found a fab nursery- absolutely in love with it but sadly they won’t accept my child due to allergies. It’s only 9- lunchtime so not even all day and they bring their own packed lunch, it would only be snack time to watch out but also messy play.

I’ve offered to buy gluten free flour to make play dough as they have it out daily or even make it myself and asked that they wouldn’t have pasta/cereals out on my child’s days. I only need 15 hours a week so wouldn’t even be 5 days. I would do 3 at most.

The manager isn’t being friendly about it either and just saying they can’t promise to keep child safe which I understand but tbh I can’t even keep them safe at home or when I go out to soft play/ park all the time. I just feel really sad about it as I don’t think I’m asking for above and beyond just a little extra care.
I’m also very upset because they have someone else starting with the same allergy and are happy to accommodate them but not my child because they have more allergies. I’m also very upset because I know they previously accepted a child who had an extensive list of allergies under a huge hospital (v well known for children’s care) but again won’t take mine.

Any Advice or experience from others?

There are going to be grey areas of course. I just think it's worth pointing out that (a) a severe allergy is a disability and disability is something that needs to be considered under the disability act and not simply regarded as a reason to exclude a child and (b) yes nurseries have to meet the costs of making adjustments for disabilities

It is the point (b) that I am querying - my understanding is that making adjustments is subject to a reasonableness threshold which includes costs but also things like impact on other users.

I don’t know what the right answer is in this case. Plenty of private businesses have both government and private contracts and I don’t think that removes the reasonableness test.

Cereal is quite commonplace at messy play l agree @Costumemaker

Sorry to hear this. As a fellow allergic person l have a lot of sympathy. Hopefully they grow out of most of it over time -most of mine have gone apart from peanuts and some random stoned fruit ones

I think that nurseries can apply for funding to help with the costs

Exactly. Everyone is discussing these days "huge accommodations" that the nursery would have to make, and mentioning hypothetical things that aren't relevant to this scenario (1x1 care, restricted meals for other kids etc). The fact is, in this day and age finding a wheat-free substitute for the tuff tray & play dough is an extremely minor inconvenience, and that's all she has asked for.

Her DC isn't even eating meals there.

Nursery is lazy and doesn't think children with medical issues should have the same opportunities as those without. it's as simple as that.

Food allergy is becoming so common, it's a wonder someone hasn't established a specialty nursery just for children with the condition.

Your "favourite" nursery isn't being kind about your childs allergies or accommodating to them?! Blimey I would hate to see the ones you didn't like!!