Allergies and Allergies Reactions Policy

This policy is written in accordance with the Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), particularly the safeguarding and welfare requirements relating to children’s health, medical conditions, staff training and suitability.

At Winston’s Place Day Nursery we are aware that children may have or develop an allergy resulting in an allergic reaction.

We aim to ensure allergic reactions are minimised or, where possible, prevented and that staff are fully aware of how to support a child who may be having an allergic reaction.

The nursery recognises its responsibilities under the Equality Act 2010 and will make reasonable adjustments to ensure children with allergies or intolerances are not discriminated against and are able to participate fully in nursery life, while ensuring their safety and wellbeing.

Our procedures
• All staff are made aware of the signs and symptoms of a possible allergic reaction in case of an unknown or first reaction in a child. These may include a rash or hives, nausea, stomach pain, diarrhoea, itchy skin, runny eyes, shortness of breath, chest pain, swelling of the mouth and/or tongue, swelling of the airways to the lungs, wheezing and anaphylaxis
• We ask parents to share all information about allergic reactions and allergies on their child’s registration form and to inform staff of any allergies discovered after registration
• We share all information with all staff and keep an allergy register in The Management Office
• Where a child has a known allergy, the room leader or key person will carry out an Individual Health Care Plan with the parent prior to the child starting the nursery and/or following notification of a known allergy and this assessment is shared with all staff. This may involve displaying photos of the children along with their known allergies in the kitchen or nursery rooms, where applicable
• All food prepared for a child with a specific allergy is prepared in an area where there is no chance of contamination and served on equipment that has not been in contact with this specific food type e.g. nuts, gluten
• The SENCO, nursery cook and parents work together to ensure a child with specific food allergies receives no food at nursery that may harm them. This may include designing an appropriate menu or substituting specific meals on the current nursery menu
• Seating is monitored for children with allergies. Where deemed appropriate, staff will sit with children who have allergies and, where appropriate, staff will discuss food allergies with the children and the potential risks
• If a child has an allergic reaction to food, a bee or wasp sting, plant etc. a paediatric first aid trained member of staff will act quickly and administer the appropriate treatment, where necessary. We will inform parents and record the information
• If an allergic reaction requires specialist treatment e.g. an EpiPen, then at least two members of staff working directly with the child and the manager will receive specific medical training to be able to administer the treatment to each individual child.
• Food brought into the nursery for celebrations or events will be carefully managed in line with known allergies. Parents will be advised of restrictions, and alternatives will be provided when necessary to ensure all children are included.

Food Information Regulations (FIR) 2014
We incorporate additional procedures in line with the FIR, including displaying our weekly menus on the parent information board, website or online system identifying any of the 14 allergens that are used as ingredients in any of our dishes.

In the event of a serious allergic reaction and a child needing transporting to hospital
The nursery manager or staff member will:
• Call for an ambulance immediately if the allergic reaction is severe. Staff will not attempt to transport the sick child in their own vehicle
• Ensure someone contacts the parents whilst waiting for the ambulance and arrange to meet them at the hospital
• Arrange for the most appropriate member of staff to accompany the child, taking with them any relevant information such as registration forms, relevant medication sheets, medication and the child’s comforter
• Redeploy staff if necessary to ensure there is adequate staff deployment to care for the remaining children. This may mean temporarily grouping the children together
• Inform a member of the management team immediately
• Remain calm at all times and continue to comfort and reassure the child experiencing an allergic reaction. Children who witness the incident may also be well affected by it and may need lots of cuddles and reassurance. Staff may also require additional support following the incident
• Where a serious incident occurs and a child requires hospital treatment, Ofsted will be informed.
Staff are trained in appropriate treatments for allergies and anaphylaxis, the differences between allergies and intolerances and that children can develop allergies at any time, especially during the introduction of solid foods.
• Before a child is admitted to the setting we obtain information about special dietary requirements, preferences, food allergies and intolerances that the child has
• We have ongoing discussions with parents and, where appropriate, health professionals to develop allergy plans for managing any known allergies and intolerances. We ask parents to inform staff of any allergies or intolerances discovered after registration
• We share all information with all staff involved in the preparing and handling of food, including at mealtimes and snack times and keep an allergy register.
• At each mealtime and snack time we ensure staff are clear who is responsible for checking that the food being provided meets all the requirements for each child
• For each child with a known allergy or intolerance, an Individual Health Care Plan will be completed with parents and, where appropriate, health professionals. This plan will detail triggers, symptoms, actions to take, and emergency procedures, and will be reviewed regularly.
• All prescribed emergency medication, including adrenaline auto-injectors, is stored in an accessible but secure location, clearly labelled with the child’s name. Expiry dates are checked regularly, and parents are responsible for providing in-date medication at all times.
• Written parental consent will be obtained for the administration of any prescribed allergy medication. Medication will only be administered in accordance with the child’s care plan and nursery’s Medication Policy.

All allergic reactions, near misses and actions taken will be recorded and reviewed to help identify patterns, improve practice and reduce future risk.
This policy is updated at least annually in consultation with staff and parents and/or after a serious incident.