Are preschools required to deal with food allergies and use epipens as needed?

[Anonymous]

One place we called a while back said that they don't ave a nurse so the child would have to use his own epipens. they also said they are not a good place for a child with allergies. Is there a uniform policy for this?

[Anonymous]

I'm not sure. My son requires and epi-pen for food allergies. We supply the epi-pens and are required to have 2. A written note was needed from the doctor and the box had to have my son's name on it with the prescription info.

[Anonymous]

No, they're not required to administer epipens if they're private.

[Anonymous]

OP, I'd post a new thread asking if anyone knows of a good preschool for kids with food allergies in XXXXXXXX. There is no uniform policy and obviously you can't leave a place that would put the responsibility on a toddler. Know that the EMS in DC does not carry epi pens and cannot use yours so you need to be extra careful if there. DC Parks & Rec coops will not take kids with epis. We got lucky and my DD eventually outgrew her allergies. She had a classmate last year at a private school that was very careless re: his food allergies, despite having to call an ambulance. His parents pulled him. You might also ask FAAN if there are any preschools they have worked with in the area. Best of luck!

[Anonymous]

oops, that should be "leave YOUR CHILD IN" a place

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
One place we called a while back said that they don't ave a nurse so the child would have to use his own epipens. they also said they are not a good place for a child with allergies. Is there a uniform policy for this?

It depends on the school.

I worked at a school where one child was deathly allergic to peanuts and tree nuts, shellfish, eggs, and sesame. So we had an 'action plan' that we followed and the parents signed off on. We seated her by friends that didn't have her trigger foods and also kindly asked the parents to avoid sending in peanut butter, etc whenever possible. In the rare case she ingested or touched an offending food we followed the action plan (administer benodryl, call parents, and watch for signs of a serious reaction). If she started going into anaphalatic shock (which never happened thankfully) we had signed parental permission to use the epi pen. At the beginning of the year the mother of the child showed us how to use one and had us practice with an orange. Not ideal, but if a child is dying then you have to do what you have to do.

Some schools are "nut free" schools as well.

Where I work now, we mention in our school policy that we can't accomodate students with severe allergies (those who have a severe reaction by touch, etc). We do have kids with allergies though we just are very careful and once again we have an action plan to follow in case)

So it really depends. Ask the schools and see what they say.

[Anonymous]

Kinhaven in Arlington was good for my child at camp.

[Anonymous]

I'm shocked to see that people are being told that kids can be excluded from preschool settings because of food allergies.

While nothing regarding ADA laws is every one-size-fits-all, I'm amazed that these institutions would leave themselves open to litigation by making blanket statements like this. I just found this on the ada.gov website:

Q: What about children who have severe, sometimes life-threatening allergies to bee stings or certain foods? Do we have to take them?

A: Generally, yes. Children cannot be excluded on the sole basis that they have been identified as having severe allergies to bee stings or certain foods. A center needs to be prepared to take appropriate steps in the event of an allergic reaction, such as administering a medicine called "epinephrine" that will be provided in advance by the child's parents or guardians.

[Anonymous]

My son's preschool is a "nut free" school. It actually drives me crazy - I understand having a nut-free classroom if there is a particular child with a severe allergy, but I think it's a bit over-the-top to insist that every classroom in the whole school be nut-free all the time whether or not an allergy exists.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My son's preschool is a "nut free" school. It actually drives me crazy - I understand having a nut-free classroom if there is a particular child with a severe allergy, but I think it's a bit over-the-top to insist that every classroom in the whole school be nut-free all the time whether or not an allergy exists.

Does it really drive you crazy? I think it's pretty common to be nut free these days. Even if my child didn't have a nut allergy (which he does) this wouldn't bother me. Do you bring a lot of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches to school? It's pretty easy to avoid nuts and there are plenty of alternatives out there like sunflower butter. Trader Joes sells this and my son loves it. I could think of plenty of other lunch/snack options that avoid nuts.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My son's preschool is a "nut free" school. It actually drives me crazy - I understand having a nut-free classroom if there is a particular child with a severe allergy, but I think it's a bit over-the-top to insist that every classroom in the whole school be nut-free all the time whether or not an allergy exists.

Its not that hard. I was with you until my child developed a food issue (not nuts). I am much more understanding now that I realize what moms of allergy kids have to go through everytime they leave their home. Besides, its usually not just one kid nowadays. In my DD's class of 18, there are at least 4 kids with various allergies, and I don't think that's too unusual. They have trouble attending so many social events - its nice that the school makes an effort to include them without making them stand out. By having a nut free school, versus just a nut-free classroom as you suggest, there is less change that there will be discrimination against the allergy children, such as parents who may request that their child not be placed in the same class as those kids so they can eat peanut butter whenever they choose.

[banewman]

Our school accepts children with severe food allergies and will administer epi-pens with doctor's permission on state form. Parents are required to conference with the director and outline a food allergy action plan and examine and approve all snacks. Also, the state requires all licensed schools to post menus in advance (even snack/special treat menus) for parents to review.

[Anonymous]

ADA American Disabilities Act requires centers/schools public or private to accept the child and administer the treatment. It is discrimination if they refuse enrollment based on that and they can be penalized for it. If they have a license they most make accommodations. States offer training on allergy/asthma treatments for providers.

[Anonymous]

The ADA is actually a little more complicated than that--there are exemptions for church/religious schools under certain parts of the act. One would have to look closely at the category of the school, the ADA and the state licensing regs to know whether or not there was a "requirement" under particular circumstances. It's not equal across the board. Additionally, the federal non-discrimination statement does not include food allergies or medical/developmental disability. In fact, most private schools are allowed to pick and choose who they admit rather freely in this category.

With all that said, food allergies are easy to accommodate and I do not understand why even an exempt school would refuse. I suspect out of ignorance/fear more than anything else.

The Maryland licensing regs do specify circumstances under which meds can be administered--and states they CANNOT be administered at school unless certain criteria are met by the school. This may be the root of the problem with the school referenced by the OP--there is no requirement in licensing that they meet the criteria, and no requirement that they must administer...again only criteria to be met IF they administer. Since they choose not to meet the criteria (by training staff, verifying the paperwork, or having a nurse) they won't admit the child or administer the meds.