What can a teacher do to help a child with peanut allergy in the early childhood education environment? (Because of the seriousness of this issue; the answer is long and covers much of what the Reality Check in the text covers.)

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Inform all staff, including volunteers, that this child has an allergy to peanuts and educate them as to what they are to do in case of emergency. Post this child's name and allergy wherever food is prepared, served, or in any way in contact with foods, to remind staff and so that there is always the precaution reminder. Understand how to read food labels, so as to avoid products that include peanuts and their derivatives so they are not served. If this is too difficult of an issue, you may wish to ask the child's parents to provide the child's lunch. You would still read labels and would try to keep exposure down as much as possible. Have the food handler wash his or her hands after food preparation and handling. As a safety precaution, have all staff and children wash their hands immediately after eating to avoid skin contact possibilities. Also, after snacks and meals, wash the tables with warm soapy water so any residue might be removed. Notify all parents in early childhood education environments so that if they provide lunch or snacks, they can attempt to eliminate the peanut products they include in lunches. You might want to include a list of "safe" foods and snacks that do not contain peanuts or peanut products. This list may need to be updated periodically, as ingredients do change. A written emergency action plan, provided by the child's physician, should be on file An epinephrine auto-injector should be readily available and there should be someone on staff at all times who understands how to administer it. If a field trip is planned, be aware of any possible exposure in the surroundings. Make sure the allergic child brings his or her own snack. Have the epinephrine auto-injector available, just in case.