Debating about sending mfa ds to preschool

My child is in daycare right now and it is a new school for us. The settling pains are hard.

She has a anaphylatic peanut/treenut allergy. Our new teachers is having a hard time understanding the concept of what has to be done.

In the past, I bring PA safe foods for the whole class to share for parties. I bring PA safe candies for my child for Halloween and Easter. They go trick or treating and then the teacher just swaps out whatever candy she collected with the candy I supplied.

I guess my only recommendation would be to ask questions to assertain their knowledge about food labels and how to read them, and then try to see how willing they are to learn or take advice from you.

My daugther is also 3 1/2 and has adjusted to the fact that she cannot eat certain things because they give her "boo-boos". We keep a stocked pantry of her safe foods and leave a "emergency" snack bag at school in case foods come in that she could not eat (like M&Ms). So far this has worked for us.

Also, put you name on several school lists in case you find a problem once you get accepted a year from now [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/smile.gif[/img]

Good luck

mommyofmatt - hi. My DS goes to a non peanut-free preschool two days a week and has since he was one year old. This will be his last year before kindergarten. So far, so good. He hasn't had any reactions.

In regards to snacks .. A letter is sent home informing of his allergy and parents alternate bringing snacks in. I have talked thoroughly with his teachers every year and teach them how to read a label and of course all the other important stuff about epipens, hand washing, etc.

I have informed them that if there is not a label to read that he is absolutely NOT allowed to eat it and he is to have the alternative snack that I provide. I will keep individual bags of goldfish or something there for him throughout the year.

I do let him eat the snacks brought in by other parents provided there is a label. This is my comfort zone. A lot of times I'm the last one there or I'll stick around until the snack has arrived and I'll either give the OK or not for him to have it. No one has ever brought in a peanut product for snack but there have been "may contains" that he's not allowed to eat so he eats his special snack.

He sits at the end of the table when everyone eats lunch next to someone that doesn't eat PB. The eating surfaces are cleaned with bleach and water.

How my child contributes to his own safety ... My DS is very picky and will refuse any foods that he has not eaten before. It used to bug me that he was picky but now I feel that God blessed me with this picky eater so that he could protect himself. He doesn't eat any chocolate, cookies, cake or anything. Now that he's close to 5 years old he has started asking me if I read the label. I keep reminding him that I read the label at the grocery store so I don't have to read it every single time he wants a handful of goldfish. [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/smile.gif[/img] So I'm encouraging him to keep that up once his preschool starts in a few weeks.

The one other thing that I do is put a sticker on him. He thinks nothing of it. I have them custom made to say his name, that he has a life threatening allergy to peanuts and it also has my cell phone number on it so there's no looking thru files to try to get a hold of me if there's a question or an emergency. I see this as a visual reminder to his teachers and anyone else who may walk in his room. I think it also helps the parents to remember when they see him.

I hope this helps. Good luck with choosing a school. My DS LOVES going and can't wait for it to start again.

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Lynee', mom to:
Cade - PA, egg whites, seasonal
Carson - NKFA, seasonal

My dd was in a class with a Peanut and milk allergic boy, and she is PN, TN, egg allergic. The school was only nut and PN free. But a heightened awareness due to that fact. Still, way to much food stuff and too much milk around for me, if it were my son. I worried for him and will share with you my concerns and questions you might have based on my observations. He had full blown hives when his sister spilled milk on him accidentally at home, no ingestion.

The school still served a choice of milk, juice or water for snack. I do think it gets hard to start knocking off each allergen if there are multiple ones in a class, but great if a school will do it for you. I believe they should have had a milk free table at very least, since many kids never choose it anyway, and they filled 3 small tables(4 at each) each day at snack. It would not have been a socially stigmatizing thing for him, IMO.

Ask about field trips, craft and baking projects, and if milk is used in any of these things(or whipped cream, or cream cheese, or ice cream field trips, etc...) There was alot of that stuff at our school. I never knew kids could do so much with food in preschool. I was completely caught off guard with it, but we have worked it out to a place okay for me.

Also, milk really spreads fast if spilled and droplets can spray and fly everyhwere. I really question the serving of milk around a highly sensetive child. It is as bad or worse than PB, as far as I am concerned.

All that said, I cannot believe the difference in the neatness, orderliness and control factor of the kids as they turned 4 last school year, versus when they were all in the 3yo(and turning 3 and 4) yo class. The 4 yo group(wondering if most would be around four when your sone goes?) were much less likely to take another's food or share. The scholl can also put alot more energy into teaching something about not taking or sharing food because of cleanliness, allergies and health reasons(diabetic for example).

I am just sharing my thoughts with hindsight being 20/20 on things I might have explored further. I really love our school on so many levels, but the food issue is stressful, though managed.

I would choose the most cooperative place all around, rather than just search for bans. I just found that there was alot more to it that banning peanuts at our school. With the egg allergy, thet other projects, snakcs and trips were an issue. Good luck whateve you decide.

Oh, and despite the presence of milk every day, this boy was fine and there was never a mishap. becca

Thanks for the responses guys!

Hapi2bgf: I saw your post too, wish I could offer some help. Good luck with the daycare!

Cade's mom: I love the sticker idea, thanks, I'll definitely keep that in mind.

Becca: I really appreciate you giving that little boy's experience. One thing I hadn't thought of which you said: that they're neater eaters when they're 4. That one right there might tip the scales to keep him home another year. Thank you sooo much for your insight.

Once again I am reminded why I love this site [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/biggrin.gif[/img] Thanks again!!

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Meg, mom to:
Matt 2 yrs. PA,MA,EA
Sean 2 yrs. NKA

I have two years before I have to worry about the question of preschool (for my youngest) and hopefully wont have to worry about the milk and soy because like you I am hoping he will outgrow at least those. At this point I am leaning toward waiting till both my kids are a year away from kindergarten before sending them. I want to give him somemore time to learn about not eating other peoples food, only eating what I send and asking questions.

Re-raising.

Dd started preschool full time at 3 years 4 months. She was allergic to milk and egg when she started, although avoiding peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish. She became pa a few months before graduating. At 3 years 4 months, the teacher and I agreed to put her in the group with the 4 year olds. It worked fine. They understood not to food share, and dd understood. They did cook once a week, and for cooking they moved dd into a group that was closer to her age (only for the short time they were cooking). Then they moved her back to the four year old group. When the 4s got older moved to the 4 1/2 group, dd stayed with the 4s. Evenutally she was with kids her own age. She had no reactions at preschool, and I agree with the person above---it is so much more fun for them than "being stuck home with you' (dd`s own words at age 3), that she was willing to be very careful to eat only her own food. And the 4s were great at not food sharing, in fact they were very protective of her. Remember the picture in the lunch box (if you don`t see your picture, you can`t eat it), and I think your ds will be fine. Maybe you could practice with him some scenarios. There were a few potential slip ups where dd had to turn down food. This was usually a birthday where a parent brought in a cupcake and gave one to each child. Dd was really shy would simply push the plate away, but at least she knew not to eat it. I am referring to that split second where the teacher`s back is turned and a parent forgets and gives her a cupcake. I asked for a list of the birthdays in advance and packed dd a cupcake in her lunch on birthday-days. I never allowed her to have the school`s food EVER. This eliminated any confusion for her, and any potential mistakes. (different story now at age 10 obviously!). In preschool she was not even allowed to have a juice box someone else brought---again to avoid any confusion. I think at that age the rules have to be really simple, and even at three I felt she was less likely to make a mistake than the teacher. I did not keep a stash of snacks at her school, as I could not take the chance a teacher would get confused. If it did not come out of her lunchbox, she could not have it. There were new teachers coming and going all the time (partly due to the director being hard to get along with). They did have Easter egg coloring, normally with real eggs, but they changed that when dd came.

She was also in a 2 hour a day program 4 days a week starting at age 2 years 11 months until preschool at 3 years 4 months. The 2 hour a day program included lunch and I did it to get her ready for all day preschool. It was expensive with excellent staff ratios, and a staff member always sat right behind her to make sure she did not take anyone`s food. She never tried to, but at 2 years 11 months, you just don`t know. By 3 years 4 months, she was very ready for preschool.

My pa son is in the first grade now. I found that the pre school experience was a good testing ground to prepare both the parents and the child for big school. You do not have as many choices or as much ability to monitor the everyday when they go off to school. See it as a learning experience and good pratice for the challenges ahead.

Hey Carefulmom (waving hi) I hope all is well with you [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/smile.gif[/img]

I guess I should have been more specific in my re-raise [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/redface.gif[/img], I found it for Ree. We are sending our ds to preschool (gulp). I'm about as happy with the school we chose as I can be.

One thing I found out recently though didn't thrill me...(there's always got to be something right?!) The hospital closest to the school has a reputation for being clueless on how to treat allergies (which I find kind of shocking!). The better hospital is a good 20 minutes away. I'd prefer he'd go there if he had a reaction. If I request that, what are the chances the ambulance will take him to my preferred hospital?

Your post was very reassuring though, thanks. My ds will be 3 yrs. 4 mos. when he starts, and we're making alot of progress with teaching him what he needs to know. And, yes, the picture in the lunchbox is such a perfect idea.

I'm glad preschool worked well for you Qdebbie1. That reassurance is very helpful as we start this whole school eperience.

Meg

[This message has been edited by mommyofmatt (edited May 05, 2005).]

We were going to put my DS (Peanut and Soy Allergic) in preschool when he was 3 1/2. Decided to wait another year because he was just not aware enough of his own allergy for my comfort level. He is getting ready to start in the fall and will be 4 1/2. He is much better about asking questions before he eats anything. There are no peanut free preschools in our area, so that was also a deciding factor.

Make sure you request the epi to be in the classroom and the teachers all know how and when to use it. The school had my son's future teachers watch a training video on allergies and how to prevent reactions. The school has also decided to provide the snacks for all the students instead of parents sending them.

Good Luck with your decision!

Donna

My son has been in daycare since he was 8 weeks old. His original daycare was peanut free and had several children with severe allergies. We had no problems. He just turned 3.

He moved to a peanut free preschool at 2 years 9 months. Parents were to provide all the lunches and snacks. His teacher was great in policing the other children's lunches, but parent's didn't get it and a lot of "may contains" were discovered and sent back home. I still felt safe since he was eating only food I provided and the teacher would call and clear anything else with me before she gave it to my son or any other child. My son was quite vocal about "no sharing" even at home, even though we never discussed it with him. Although the preschool stated that parents were not to bring in birthday cakes, they did and one day my husband arrived to find my son eating a "may contain" birthday cake. Two bites! He was fine, but I was angry, very angry.

He has since been moved to a new daycare where all lunch and snacks are provided and there is absolutely no outside food allowed. It is a large chain type daycare. They are nut free and very allergy aware. I have spoken with the cook and am comfortable with her since she also has food allergies. Other staff I have met, when I introduce myself and mention my son's name are aware of his peanut allergy. So far so good, although my picky eater is coming home a little hungry some days.

That said, my son is very aware of his allergy and asks me if thing have peanuts. He knows not to share food. Kids are aware of his allergy and know it can make him sick and are fine with it. (It is the parents you have to worry about.)

Good luck. I think you have to take each preschool individually and spend time to make sure they really understand. I spent at least 6-7 hours observing with my son before I would let him go there alone. It was good for him to be there with me and for me to see how the teachers respond to things.

I have mentioned this before. Do not let your guard down because the school is peanut free. My son has had only one school related reaction and it was in the one and only school who had a peanut free policy. The teachers didnt read those mint oreos(no longer using peanut flour) because they knew all other oreos were safe. oops

Thanks Meg for reraising this! It's nice to see others went through preschool just fine. Some great ideas too!

I'm soooooo not ready for this! [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/frown.gif[/img]

What qdebbie1 posted is exactly why I did not let dd ever eat the school`s food in preschool. I think at that age you have to eliminate as many possible causes of a reaction as possible. It is scary enough sending a 3 year old with pa to preschool. If you only let your child eat the food out of his lunchbox, you have completely eliminated any chance of the school making a mistake. Also, it takes some of the responsibility off of them which makes them more willing to accomodate the pa. I always figure the fewer things you ask, the more likely it is they will be done. You already have to ask them to learn to use an epi, wash the kids hands, cleans surfaces really well, etc. Why on top of that give them the unneeded responsibilty of reading labels?

Mommyofmatt, hi, about the ambulance, my understanding at least here in Los Angeles, is that they have to take the person to the nearest hospital. I think if one were 15 minutes away and one were 20 minutes away, maybe in the moment they could be talked into going to the one 20 minutes away. But if one is 5 minutes away and one is 20 minutes away, I don`t think they are allowed to go to the one that is further (keeping in mind it is a medical emergency or the person would not be in the ambulance). When I had to use the epi on my dd at age 2 1/2, I drove to the allergist 15 minutes away because I figured he would know more about anaphylaxis than whoever is in the ER. We have since moved and are about 30 minutes away from the allergist, and the hospital near us is horrible. I already decided that if dd ever had to go there in an ambulance, I would immediately tell the doctor to call dd`s allergist and let the allergist tell the ER doctor what to do. I know that is a little insulting, but it is my child`s life.

So, if you bring your child's snack and only allow them to eat that snack, what expectations do you have for other children's snacks? My ds will go to a co-op preschool in the fall and I was told that I would put together a safe snack list. Would I still do that if I were bring his snack in? I'd obviously say 'no peanut' snacks, but how detailed do I get if he's not going to eat them?

If I were a parent of a child in the class, I'd think "why am I bringing in safe snacks if this allergic child isn't even eating them?" I want to be realistic in my expectations of the teachers and parents.

Its all about balance. I personally would let the school get the snacks. In hind sight I may had reviewed them each day or asked they be posted when he was dropped off. If I knew that morning he would be fed mint oreos (now safe) I could have stopped it, instead, I trusted the peanut free school. You have to learn to trust, elementary school will be there before you know it, but still be careful.

Ree, I ruled out coops because of that. The more people involved in what your child eats, the more chance for error. Same with the issue of what your child is around. I guess if you are not going to let your child eat what the parent brings, I would ask for no peanuts, and provide a suggested safe list. But I would plan on days here and there when someone makes a mistake. As far as the answer to another parent of "why does it matter what I bring if the allergic child is not going to eat it", that comes up for us in elementary school, and the answer I give is "because she is contact sensitive and airborne sensitive". Honestly my child has never had an airborne reaction, (only two times was she in the cafeteria when peanuts were served---it was not supposed to happen but it did), but the point is a pa can be airborne sensitive at any time. Just like a mild reaction one time does not mean future reactions will be mild, I look at it the same way. Even if my dd has not had an airborne reaction, she has the potential to, and all pa`s have the potential to become airborne sensitive. Anther good answer is that so many preschoolers put their fingers in their mouth, and there will be peanut residue in their saliva for hours, if a parent brings peanut snacks for the other kids.

Quote:Originally posted by Carefulmom:
[b]Ree, I ruled out coops because of that. The more people involved in what your child eats, the more chance for error.[/b]

I'm struggle with the coop being the best choice for my ds. It's the best in the area for preschool. There's 2 or 3 in my town. Everyone loves it. We live in a community where everyone goes to the same preschool, elementary school, high school, etc. I want to get to know other moms and have my ds get to know other kids that live around us. My struggle is choosing what's best for him safety-wise or socially. And me too. I know tons of people here, but not many parents with kids my age. If I choose to go out of our community, I'll feel even more isolated.

Well, that is a hard decision. I can definitely relate to that. I am looking for a middle school and also choosing between the safest school versus where my daughter`s friends will be going. Hard decision, although at age 3 your child is less able to take care of himself. For example with my dd, if someone did not wash their hands, she would ask them to. I don`t think at 3 you can expect much other than for your child to remember to eat only his own food. It is a hard decision. For preschool, we did not really know anyone, so I figured she would make friends whereever she went.

The tricky part is finding that balance between safety and social.

My choice was kind of simplified because they didn't get into the one school that I'd consider in my town. The other schools were out of the question safety wise. I only wanted him to go to a school with a strict allergy policy already in place. The three allergies together, with peanut and milk severe, just made it critical in my mind.

But, Ree, I am still kind of bummed that we're going to a different town for preschool [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/frown.gif[/img]. He should be very safe there, but will have to readjust when he starts going to school in his own town...But it was either that or keep him home, so I think the school is a better choice.

I'm hoping to do a few other activites to meet other moms/kids in town. And, I'm hoping maybe next year, when he's older and more aware, (and who knows maybe outgrown the milk), that we can go back to school in our town. Whew! I'm rambling here...

I figured that ambulances would go to the nearest hospital Carefulmom, in most cases that's what you want right for emergency care right? I guess I was just wishing out loud...

It's just that my allergy support group is in the same town as the school, and I've heard nightmare stories about the hospital closest to the school.

But, I like your idea of having my allergist give orders to the doctor and I'm going to have to be ready to be really pushy if something happens because they've tried to make people having anaphylactic reactions WAIT!!!

The way this school's allergy policy is structured, he SHOULD only come into contact with milk or egg (no peanuts) potentially during a baking lesson. All other food is supplied by the school and I will preapprove it. There is no food other than fruit and crackers allowed at celebrations. That's why I'm willing to send him to school in a different town.

Good ideas in this thread though! I appreciate all the back and forth, because sending him to preschool scares the @#$% out of me!!! [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/frown.gif[/img]

Meg

My PA and DA son started preschool last fall (at age 3 1/2). I was a nervous wreck until I was able to sit down with his teachers and the owner of the school. They actually requested the meeting, which was nice. We explained his allergy, showed everyone how to use the epi-pen, and learned how snack time was arranged for those with food allergies.

We ended up providing all of ds's snacks (which is what we wanted to do, rather than trust a busy teacher's label reading), and he got apple juice instead of milk. He is seated next to another boy who can't have milk, and a teacher sits next to him. I have been very comfortable with this school. They also went peanut-free this year due to the increase in PA kids they get. He has had no reactions. *whew*

I have had such a good experience with this nursery school, that I can only assume the move to the public school system will not as easy. I have heard that our local school district is good with dealing with allergies, but I'll be the judge of that !

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[i][b]Peanut Slayer[/b][/i]

Some advice for public school. Before I put dd in elementary school, I interviewed the school nurses at three excellent schools, and used that as the main factor in making my decision. It really is the difference between having the law followed, versus having to fight for your child`s rights. At one of the three schools, the school nurse said she would never administer the epi without calling me first, so that one thing told me she just didn`t get it. It is one of the best public schools in L.A., but based on that I knew I could never send dd there. If it takes the nurse five minutes to call me, that is five minutes wasted. At dd`s current school, the school nurse was very aware of the law, and very willing to accomodate the pa. She trained every single school employee on the epi, all teachers, all aides, all cafeteria staff, all office staff, the janitor. At one point the after care wanted me to sign a release, and before I could respond the school nurse said that was illegal which it is. The school nurse got transferred last May and we got a new one who is the opposite. She was not willing to train anyone who did not want to be trained. She felt it was good enough to train the teacher and no one else. She said if the cafeteria staff did not want to learn the epi they did not have to. I said if dd has a reaction, that is probably where it will be----in the cafeteria. Fortunately at the same time the prinicpal retired and we got the new principal who is ana to be stings and carries an epi herself. So she wanted the school to be totally prepared for an ana emergency. But if she were not there, and if I had started with this school nurse, dd would not have been safe there.

So, bottom line is for public school, interview the school nurse before you decide to send your child there, and get an idea of what accomodations will be made. You are going to be there for six years. Our current school nurse did not even know how to use the epi correctly. Thank goodness for the principal. If I started with a nurse like that, it would have been an uphill battle every step of the way.

My severely allergic (nuts, peanuts, other things!) and asthmatic 5 year old has been in preschool 5 days a week since he was 2. The teachers are aware of his allergies and have been epi-pen trained. I prepare his lunch and since they only have water, fruit and crackers for snack everyday, I pretty much know what he is getting. The scary part is all the pbj sandwiches that the other kids bring in! My son does not sit next to those kids and he is very aware of his need to stay away from peanuts, wash hands, etc.

That being said, he starts kindergarten this fall and things will only get harder -- more kids, more "special treats", more chances for exposure. As someone said before, look at preschool as a good testing ground for how you will handle things in the future.

Also, preschool is so great for children -- new friends, social interaction, learning new skills, preparation for "big school" --and limiting your child because of allergies now will set a pattern in the future. Your son will love preschool and learn to deal with the non-allergic world at the same time.

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mom to Ari - severe nut allergies, asthma, you name it - and Maya, mild excema

I havent descided about preschool for my 2 year PA son but I am leaning toward skipping it because of other things than allergies. However, I have been following the advise of some on here by giving him a lunchbox when he is in sunday school, or his playgroup with his snack in it. He only eats his snack from his box and I really think this has helped. The teachers and church say that he will stand there while the others get their snack and wait until she gets his lunch box down. He is only 2 1/4 but because we have always done this I think at some level he understands. I dont ofcourse trust him not to eat something if is handed to him but the lunch box has helped.

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Lalow
James 3yrs, NKA
Ben 2 yrs, PA and MA and SA

Now it's crunch time with this decision. Yikes! We've given our deposit, they've been accepted. I still have a few things to work out with the teacher.

Even if everything works out to my satisfaction, I just don't think I want to send him yet. Would it be so bad if I had him wait until he's 4? I'm looking for reasons why it's better to send him at 3 and take the risk. Anyone?

I've gotten a little more paranoid (if that's possible???!!!) after a little boy who had eaten pb earlier took a sip out of ds' cup. Then, when I forgot to change his cup, ds started drinking it an hour later. He had a reaction, it was subtle, just starting when I caught it, and gave him Zyrtec right away and he bounced right back. But it scared me that this could happen from someone drinking out of his cup. And one of the symptoms was sluggishness/ weakness. Now of course he's still a toddler, so the way he was acting didn't necessarily mean a drop in bp...but still.

They're going in the afternoon, right after lunch. The teacher's going to ask that no one eat pb before...but who knows.

I just don't want a teacher to hesitate or miss a reaction starting and not treat in time. I might feel better if he didn't have MFA, I don't know.

So, through my babble, what would the compelling reason be to send him this year when he's 3 (assuming all my safety concerns are properly addressed)? Thanks. As you can tell, I'm struggling with this just a little, tiny, incy bit.... and I'm starting to talk like my toddlers [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/eek.gif[/img] Meg

I only put my dd in preschool at that age because I had no choice. You saw in my emails all the unsafe situations that the babysitters put her in, so that was out. As a single mom, I had to go to work. Also, when I put dd in I did not know she was pa---she was not diagnosed until age 5, as we were avoiding peanuts anyhow due to her milk and egg allergy. If it stresses you out that much, and you don`t have to put him in, it does not seem worth it. If you decide to do it, I would put him in with the 4 year olds. That is what we did. 4 year olds are less messy, understand the rules better, etc. Ultimately it is the school`s responsibility to watch the kids and make sure that another child does not drink from your ds`s cup. Of course, that can happen in a split second. But if you put him in with 4 year olds, it seems like that is unlikely to happen. They just follow the rules better.

I'd feel the same way. My ds will be 4 in Sept, so he's going. But he doesn't have the milk allergy...if it were my MA ds, I'd probably be more apt to wait. But it depends -
- are they itching to be out of the house and be social?
- are they doing well with potty training?
- is your PA ds able to communicate about his allergies?
- are they still napping in the pm?
- are you going out of your mind b/c they drive you crazy between noon and 5? [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/rolleyes.gif[/img] [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/smile.gif[/img] (yes, that's me!)

I don't think you could go wrong either way. And, if there's an option to send them Jan06, that might be the way to go.

Good luck with you decision, and keep us posted!!
Ree

I'm struggling with this also! However, I feel better reading all the posts of what everyone else is doing or has done. The suggestions are great. It is hard, but I do feel this will better prepare DS (and me!) for kindergarten. Love this site!

Meg,

It sounds like there are a number of us facing this decision in the next couple of weeks. I've been asking myself if some of my anxiety might be about sending my youngest baby off to preschool and my happiness/sadness at his growing up so soon. I think I've picked the best school I can for ds. I think I've prepared ds the best I can as well as the teachers and director. Sooo, I'm sending him off after Labor Day. And, if it seems unsafe or I become uncomfortable with anything about the experience, I can always pull him out. He is so excited to go. He will be wearing an epi belt. And, I will OK all snacks. I'm taking lots of deep breaths and praying.

JUlie

I never sent any of my kids to preschool. Not because of food issues just because I was and am a very selfish mom. I was a stay at home mother and was able to do what I needed to get them ready for school. They leave to soon for school that I just wanted ot cherish the days.
As far as the kids I sit for they all went to preschool and the had kids with food allergies in there classes. However the schools never made them nut free so the parents just had to pray nothing happened. Not good enough for me and my kids.
Where I am from people are very stingy and ME people so it would have been very hard for us.
Best of luck in your decisions. claire

Well guys, we're doing it. They're going. After my initial conversation with the school, they've made some more changes/concessions. I'm about as comfortable as I'll ever be. School starts next week. It's gonna be a LLLLLLOOOOONNNNGGG week.

At first I was all excited telling DH all the additional things they're willing to do, and then I started thinking about them actually going, and yep, you guessed it, burst into tears. Scary. But I think we need to do it. Repeat after me. Breathe. It will be ok.

Good luck to all as school starts! Meg

Aaawww Meg, it'll be ok. The boys will have a great time and after a week or so you'll be so proud to see them having fun at school [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/smile.gif[/img]

One thing I want to warn you about though: Don't be surprised if they get sick in the beginning week or two. Every time my kids start up school each year, we get something. So far, though, ds #1 (PA) hasn't been sick in a long time! (knock on wood)

Congrats on taking this next step! [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/smile.gif[/img]

Our solution with preschool has been to drop off after snack time (9:00am) and pick up before lunch (11:30) Our kids get 2 1/2 hrs of "instruction" time. Sure, we paid for that lunch (food and 30min), but I am willing to lose that money. I don't think they are missing out on much this way.

We also arranged with the school for cupcakes, etc to be served in the afternoon after our kids are gone.

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Mom to 6 yr old PA/TNA daughter and 2 1/2 yr old son who is allergic to eggs.

It must be a relief to have made the decision though. I think you'll feel better once you get through the first week. My dd also starts next week. Yes, I'm nervous, but I also think once she's through that first week, I'll be O.K. too.

I'm glad you made your decision! [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/smile.gif[/img]

Let us know how it goes. I wont have to descide with Ben until next year and will have a year with James at this preschool so atleast I will know the teachers etc.. I am going to take him to a dropoff playgroup that he went to last year so the teacher is aware of his allergies and been great. I am hoping in one year maybe he will have outgrown one of them. James LOVES preschool so far. He has gone two days and yesterday when I picked him up he announced proudly that he got his name on the board. [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/smile.gif[/img] I guess he was goofing off during story time so we talked about how that maybe wasnt such a good thing [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/smile.gif[/img] One nice thing about him going 2 days a week is I have been able to send snacks for him I dont buy for home like granola bars. He has loved it.

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Lalow
James 3yrs, NKA
Ben 2 yrs, PA and MA and SA

Tylenol PM, take me away!!!! [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/wink.gif[/img] Seriously, I'm having trouble sleeping and will definitely get some assistance tonight!

Lori Anne, I do feel better (as long as I'm not trying to sleep and the what ifs get to me!). Once I talked with the school again, I realized he's as safe as he's ever going to be at school, and if I didn't send them, I'd just be letting my fears get in the way. Not fair to either of them.

The school is peanut free, and will be milk and egg free for his class, all fruit needs to come pre-packaged so no one's knife that's just cut cheese or pb will be served. Handwashing b/4 entering class. No food allowed for birthdays. It's all good.

Momcat, luckily, they don't serve lunch at this preschool, that's partly why I picked it, because sticking to our diet for lunch would be too much of a hardship on everyone else. That is a good solution though, to have the kids go to school, but not eat there.

Lalow, glad to hear your older guy likes it [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/biggrin.gif[/img] I know my guys will love it, and they've just about nailed the potty training (minus the poop) so they're ready.

And the cool thing is, alot of the stuff I listed was suggested by the teacher who runs the preschool. She doesn't want him to get so much as a hive while he's there [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/biggrin.gif[/img] She really is WONDERFUL.

Open house tomorrow. Yikes! Hopefully other parents won't be too mean (our identity won't be revealed when they're discussing the allergy requirements) Wish us luck. Thanks again for all your input guys! Meg

Well, it sure sounds like you got alot of accomodations! I hope it all works out for you. I was thinking about you Meg. I remember sending dd off to preschool. It was so much harder than the bus for the first time today, believe it or not.

I think it is good for them and they will have lots of fun. Hopefully reaction free! becca

Thanks Becca, I'm a bit of a wreck, can you tell?! You're right the school has been incredibly accommodating, and hopefully it will all work as planned.

I offered to bring ds' food, but they felt strongly about not wanting to single him out (and well I wasn't gonna argue with that...). They already had a policy where the snack every day was 1 type of cracker and juice, so that was easy to keep.

And they only have 7 parties during the year where food is allowed, and that's where we modified things further with the prepackaged fruit and all.

Hope your dd's first day of kindergarten went well and she had a blast! Meg