Food Allergies and Intolerances Policy

At Winston’s Place Day Nursery, we are committed to creating a safe and supportive environment for all children in our care. We recognise that food allergies and intolerances can present serious health risks and, in some cases, life threatening emergencies. This policy outlines our approach to managing allergies and intolerances, our legal responsibilities, and the role parents and carers play in keeping their children safe.

A food allergy is an immune system reaction that occurs soon after eating a certain food. The body mistakes the food protein (the allergen) as harmful and triggers a defence response. This reaction can cause symptoms such as swelling, rashes, vomiting, difficulty breathing, or in severe cases, anaphylaxis a potentially life-threatening condition requiring immediate medical attention. An allergen is the substance in food, often a protein, that causes this allergic reaction.

Food intolerance is a digestive system response that happens when a person cannot properly digest a certain food or ingredient. Unlike allergies, intolerances are not life-threatening but can still cause uncomfortable symptoms such as bloating, diarrhoea, or stomach cramps. Both conditions require careful management in our nursery setting to ensure children’s wellbeing.

We follow all relevant legislation including the Food Information Regulations 2014, which require all food businesses, including nurseries, to clearly identify and communicate the presence of any of the 14 major allergens in food provided. We also work in accordance with the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, the Children Act 1989 and 2004, and the SEND Code of Practice 2015 to ensure that children’s dietary needs are fully supported.

The 14 major allergens identified in law are:
• Celery- including stalks, leaves, seeds, and celeriac, often found in soups, salads, and stock cubes
• Cereals containing gluten- including wheat, rye, barley, and oats, found in bread, pasta, cakes and breakfast cereals
• Crustaceans- such as crab, lobster, and prawns, commonly used in seafood dishes
• Eggs- from hens and other birds, found in baked goods, sauces, and desserts
• Fish- including cod, salmon, and tuna, also used in sauces
• Lupin- from the lupin flower, sometimes used in flour for baked goods
• Milk- from cows, goats, or sheep, present in cheese, yoghurt, butter and other dairy products
• Molluscs- such as mussels, squid, and oysters
• Mustard- in powder, seed, or liquid form, used in dressings and marinades
• Peanuts- legumes that can cause severe reactions, used in snacks, baked goods, sauces.
• Sesame seeds- whole or ground, found in bread, crackers and hummus
• Soya- from soybeans, found in vegetarian products, sauces and processed foods
• Sulphur dioxide and sulphites- preservatives found in dried fruit, drinks and processed meats
• Tree nuts- including almonds, walnuts, cashews, pecans, hazelnuts, pistachios, Brazil nuts, and macadamia nuts, found in baked foods, chocolates, and nut oil.

We understand that cross-contamination (when allergens are transferred from one food or surface to another) poses a significant risk to children with allergies. At Winston’s Place Day Nursery, we take strict measures to prevent this. Staff use separate utensils for allergen-free meals, thoroughly clean preparation areas before and after use, and wash hands before handling food. All staff receive training in allergen management and emergency response.

Allergen labelling and communication are key to ensuring children’s safety. Every meal and snack provided by Winston’s Place Day Nursery will be accompanied by up-to-date allergen information. We check every ingredient before use and display allergen details in our kitchen and food preparation areas so that all staff are fully informed.

Parents and carers have an essential role in this process. They must provide full written details of their child’s allergy or intolerance when registering at Winston’s Place Day Nursery. Any prescribed medication, such as an adrenaline auto-injector, must be supplied to us and kept in date. It is the responsibility of parents and carers to inform us immediately of any changes to their child’s allergy status, diagnosis, or treatment plan. Together we will create an Individual Health Care Plan tailored to each child’s needs.

Our staff are trained to respond quickly in the event of an allergic reaction. If a child shows symptoms, we will follow their Individual Health Care Plan, administer any prescribed medication, and call emergency services if necessary, clearly stating ‘anaphylaxis’ if relevant. Parents or carers will be contacted immediately, and the incident will be recorded in our log.

Allergy Procedures Flowchart

Step 1 – Recognise Symptoms
• Common mild symptoms: hives, rash, itching, swelling of lips/face, stomach pain, vomiting.
• Severe symptoms (anaphylaxis): difficulty breathing, swelling of tongue/throat, hoarse voice, dizziness, collapse.

Step 2 – Follow the Child’s Individual Health Care Plan (IHCP)
• Check the child’s allergy record and care plan.
• Locate their prescribed medication immediately.

Step 3 – For Severe Reaction (Anaphylaxis)
• Administer adrenaline auto-injector (e.g., EpiPen) without delay.
• Call 999 – say “anaphylaxis” and follow operator instructions.
• Keep child lying down with legs raised (unless this makes breathing more difficult).
• If no improvement after 5 minutes and a second auto-injector is available, give the second dose.

Step 4 – For Mild Reaction
• Give any prescribed antihistamine medication.
• Monitor closely in case symptoms worsen.

Step 5 – Inform Parents/Carers
• Contact parents/carers immediately.
• Explain what happened, actions taken, and the child’s current condition.

Step 6 – Aftercare
• Ensure the child is monitored until medical help arrives.
• Record the incident in the accident/incident log.
• Replace any used medication as soon as possible.