Our School

Allergy-Aware Policy

In 2008 Goldstream Preschool adopted an allergy aware policy to replace the nut and sesame free zone policy. The new policy is that we are a NUT AWARE space to protect children with life threatening food allergies to the best of our ability. As well, if a child enters the school with a specific food allergy, that food will be made impermissible for that school year.

The most important step in ensuring the safety of allergic children is communication. Communication from the parent of the allergic child/children to the ECE and to the other parents within the school is paramount. We are also implementing a mandatory parent education session within the general meetings every year to ensure that parents are well informed of the severity of the matter. While food allergies can lead to severe reactions and death, the risks can be greatly reduced through the use of education, management strategies and emergency procedures.

Families are asked when sending food out of the package or homemade goods, to please attach a note stating that it is NUT FREE. If there is no note attached your child will NOT be permitted to eat that snack and will be given a NUT FREE granola bar provided by the school. This is to keep the risk to a minimum, and will be strictly enforced.

Prevention Strategies

General Membership Responsibilities

• To be informed of and follow the guidelines as outlined in the Allergy-Aware Policy and those presented at orientation
• To read and sign a copy of the Allergy-Aware Policy to acknowledge your understanding and compliance of it.
• To inform any other possible caregivers who could potentially be dropping off your child at school of the Allergy-Aware Policy.
• To send a note attached to any unpackaged or homemade snacks listing the ingredients.

Parent/student Responsibilities

• Inform ECE of severity and scope of allergy, discuss emergency treatment plan and supply any medications for the @Risk Management Board.
• Ensure student with food allergies eats only food from home, unless previously discussed with ECE for special occasions.

ECE Responsibilities

• Ensure all children wash hands upon entering the preschool.
• Ensure children DO NOT share snacks/drinks/utensils.
• Ensure all students wash hands before eating with soapy water.
• Ensure all students hands and faces are wiped clean by ECE/Sharing parent with individual facecloths after snack time.
• Ensure all unpackaged or homemade snacks are checked by ECE/Sharing parent for attached note stating it is NUT FREE.
• Develop in consultation with family an emergency plan in the event of accidental exposure to allergen.
• Preschool activities will adhere to the guidelines of this policy ( e.g., cooking, crafts, and fieldtrips).
• On fieldtrips, take medication (i.e.,Epi-pen, Benedryl), and emergency plan from @Risk Management Board and be aware of anaphylaxis exposure risk (ie. food & insects)

If any signs/symptoms of an allergic reaction are perceived, the ECE should be notified immediately and the emergency treatment should be implemented as necessary. The signs and symptoms may include:

Hives or welts, swelling and redness of the face/neck/or throat, itchiness, anxiety, panic, dizziness, confusion, strange taste or tingling in the mouth, difficulty breathing, wheezing, coughing, choking, voice change, fast heartbeat, blue lips and fingers, cramps, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of bladder or bowel control, unconsciousness.