Allergy and Anaphylactic Policy and Procedures

We B Kidz aims to ensure the safety and well being of all children and team members within the center. We are aware that children can have allergies which may cause allergy reactions. We aim to provide an environment that is safe and allows children with allergies in the daily routines. We B Kidz recognizes that allergy can be life threatening condition and follows best practices to reduce the risk of exposure and puts procedures into place to ensure professional management of allergic reaction. We will follow this policy to ensure allergy reactions are minimised or where possible prevented and educators are fully aware of how to support a child who may have allergy reactions. We work in partnership with families to ensure that any medical information shared with us is implemented within the center

Development of Individualized Plans and Emergency Procedures for Each Child with an Anaphylactic Allergy who Receives Child Care

During enrollment parents must identify on the registration package a child’s allergy so that the information can be added to the child’s emergency card. If the Allergy is life threatening an Individual Allergy Plan (IAP) will be created for the child. The parent must provide details regarding the child’s Allergy plan, which will include:

  • A description of the child’s allergy
  • Monitoring and avoidance strategies
  • Signs and symptoms of an anaphylactic reaction
  • Action to be taken by the childcare center staff in the event the child has an anaphylactic reaction
  • Parent/guardian consent that allows the staff to administer the allergy emergency medication in the event their child has an anaphylactic reaction
  • Emergency contact information (parent/alternate emergency contact)

A signed copy of all Individual Allergy Plans by parents will be kept in the office and will be
accessible for staff reviews for any time they may require. The Allergy Report will be posted in each cooking and serving area, and in each classroom, emergency bag pack and in any other area which children may be present so staff can have access to allergy list at all the time. All employees, volunteers and placement students must review the Anaphylactic policy and procedure as well as all Individual Allergy Plans prior to start date, every time the plan has been changed or modified and on an annual basis

Risk of Exposure to Anaphylactic Allergens

We B Kidz does not claim to be, nor can it be deemed to be totally free of food items and non-food items that may lead to a severe allergic or anaphylactic reaction. The center will make every reasonable effort to reduce the risk to children with severe allergies or anaphylaxis in accordance with this policy.

  • We plan carefully for all allergies and dietaries restrictions. Parents wishes are always followed with respect to their child’s diet and menus adopted accordingly
  • Children with extreme allergies to food that the centre cannot accommodate will be asked to bring their own food from home under the approval of the center supervisor and food will be properly labeled with child’s name, parent’s name, temperature it must be stored at, received date, open date, expiry date and staff and supervisor signature
  • All labels will be read by the kitchen staff member prior to serving and an ingredient book will be kept in the office for reference
  • Staff purchasing foods items for menu use or for craft and sensory play on behalf of the centre must read food ingredient labels every time they purchase a product to ensure there are no allergens
  • All children, staff, students and volunteers will wash their hands before and after handling food
  • Children, staff, students and volunteers will be instructed to not share food with each other
  • Staff, students and volunteers are asked to eat with the children the food that is provided by our own kitchen. Should staff, students or volunteers require supplemental meals, they are asked to eat them in the staff room on their personal lunch breaks and food must comply with our Allergy and Anaphylactic Policy, and proper hand washing techniques are followed before leaving the staff room
  • All surfaces will be cleaned with a cleaning solution prior to and after preparing and serving foods
  • All cleaning supplies, medications and any other products that may be of danger and/or commonly produce allergic reactions will be stored away and out of reach of children
  • Extra supervision of anaphylactic children during eating will ensure the child does not come in contact with a potential allergen
  • During field trips children with anaphylaxis will sit within view of a staff member
  • Playground areas will be checked and monitored for insects such as wasps
  • Staff bring the Epi-Pen or emergency medications to the playground if the child is participating in outdoor play activity
  • We B kidz is a nuts free facility. children, parents and employees are asked to comply with this policy and avoid bringing any kind of nuts to the center.

Training

All We B Kidz staff are required to have valid standard first aid and CPR level C which provides training on use of an epinephrine medication for a potentially life-threatening allergic reaction. In addition; parents are responsible to train the supervisor and teachers who are designated to the child’s classroom on the first day of the care. The training is including the description of allergy, sign and symptoms of reaction and procedure to followed in the event child having an anaphylactic allergy including when and how and when to use allergy medications and the epipen. Supervisor is responsible to train all other employees, volunteers and students of the center on the Individual Allergy Plan. Supervisor is also responsible to plan the annual review of all IAPs by parents and annual retraining of employees.

Communication Plan

Once parents provide supervisor in writing of the allergy, supervisor will create an IAP and will require it to be signed by parents as soon as possible in order to be implemented. The parent is responsible for informing the supervisor of any changes to the child’s medical requirements including a change in their allergens, reactions, or action plans which we may require to take. All communications regarding children’s allergies must come to the office, so the supervisor can ensure all employees are aware of the information.

In the Event of an Anaphylactic Emergency

  1. At least one staff must stay with the affected child and follow the details in the child’s Individual Care Plan
  2. Another staff will immediately call 911
  3. Staff will follow emergency procedures stated in Individual Allergy Plan for any allergy reaction and will follow advice of the emergency services (Including use of epi-pen)
  4. The supervisor or the acting supervisor will contact the parent immediately. If the parent is not available at any of the contact numbers, the emergency contact listed for the child is to be contacted
  5. Regardless of the degree of reaction or response to epinephrine, the child is to be taken to the hospital by emergency personnel. The supervisor or staff must go with the child if the parent is not present at the time of ambulance departure.
  6. The supervisor or staff will stay with the child at the hospital until the parent arrives. The medication that was used will be taken to the hospital
  7. The staff will complete the Medication Authorization Form for the medication that was administered and fill a report stating the type of food the child has eaten, the reaction that occurred and action taken.
  8. All other educators must remain calm. They must supervise other children who witness this incident may need lots of emotional support.
  9. 9.The supervisor or supervisor designate will file a Serious Occurrence Report. A Serious Occurrence report will be followed and all procedures as stated in the serious occurrence report will be completed.