Not Sure What to Think - Peanut Allergy

[Baby Beluga]

Out of curiosity, I have a clause in my handbook that states that I am not an allergy free environment - could this come back to bite me? Should I eliminate it? It doesn't state that I won't accept children with allergies just that I am not an allergy free home and any child who has allergies will need to provide their own food as well doctor documentation stating what the allergies are, when they were diagnosed, what symptoms to watch out for and what steps need to be taken if they become exposed to an allergen.

Pardon me for not being PC - but how in the world would someone expect a provider who works out of their home to become peanut free? That seems a bit excessive to me.

[childcaremom]

I think you need to decide if you would like to take this child on and make the accommodations or not. If you do, then a doctor's note, and medical history form should be filled out and I would really consider asking mom point blank when the allergy was discovered. You said you interviewed her last week, she dropped papers on sunday, and then texted you a few hours later about the allergy, so either she knew about the allergy beforehand and did not tell you, or they found out just a few days after your interview (again, hate to be a skeptic, but I doubt it was that coincidental). The doctor should be able to give you a date of when the allergy was discovered or noted on the medical records. If mom knew prior to your interview, I would not take them and tell them they were not honest and therefore you cannot work with them. That is legal, as you are not taking the child because of dishonesty, not the nut allergy.

If you don't want to take the child on, then do not blame the nut allergy, and just tell them, due to schedule changes (or whatever), you can no longer accept them. Refund any money and move on. Do not bring up the allergy.

This is just my opinion having read quite a bit about nut allergies recently. They are (kind of) covered under the ADA, but just as with any disability, both the parent and provider must make reasonable accommodations. I may get a lot of heat for this, but in my home, cutting out peanuts/PB/anything containing or made around peanuts would be very hard to do ad I could not knowingly take the risk of having a child here with such a severe allergy if I cannot keep my home entirely peanut free. Just think if you have 8-10 kids arriving each day and you have to make sure their hands are peanut free, that they don't have their leftover PB & J sandwich on their shirt, ect...it would be too scary for me. I do not know your town, but many daycare centers are already nut free, so it would probably be safer for her cild to attend one of them than to make you alter your whole program and hope you don't make a mistake. Hope this helps and I am sure more experienced providers who have dealt with this can give you good advice. As long as you don't blame the nut allergy for not watching her, then the burden of proof is on them if they want to pursue legal action from what I have read.

I remember a similar discussion on here when I termed a child with a suspected nut allergy. I am in Canada and legally unlicensed so NOT bound by any rules or regs concerning this.

I am celiac and eat lots of nuts, nut flours, etc so could not provide a safe environment and was not going to change my diet to accommodate a child's allergy. I was very honest with family and told them that I would not be able to provide a safe environment for their little one. They were understanding.

However, I think the gist of the convo was the there are rules pertaining to this so I think the above advice is best. So if you plan to discontinue the relationship, do not mention the allergy at all.

The age doesn't seem suspicious as I know many families whose children were diagnosed later as being allergic, however the timing of her disclosure seems highly suspect.

If you think you would go ahead, I would ask for the documentation, including the date of diagnosis, and as someone suggested, if it was earlier than her disclosure, I would term for dishonesty.

Imho, this dcm doesn't sound like someone I could build a trusting relationship with at all and I would be hesitant to continue on.

[LysesKids]

I remember a similar discussion on here when I termed a child with a suspected nut allergy. I am in Canada and legally unlicensed so NOT bound by any rules or regs concerning this.

I am celiac and eat lots of nuts, nut flours, etc so could not provide a safe environment and was not going to change my diet to accommodate a child's allergy. I was very honest with family and told them that I would not be able to provide a safe environment for their little one. They were understanding.

However, I think the gist of the convo was the there are rules pertaining to this so I think the above advice is best. So if you plan to discontinue the relationship, do not mention the allergy at all.

The age doesn't seem suspicious as I know many families whose children were diagnosed later as being allergic, however the timing of her disclosure seems highly suspect.

If you think you would go ahead, I would ask for the documentation, including the date of diagnosis, and as someone suggested, if it was earlier than her disclosure, I would term for dishonesty.

Imho, this dcm doesn't sound like someone I could build a trusting relationship with at all and I would be hesitant to continue on.

I do a lot of nut flours too because I have a Celiac child in care... I cannot guarantee an allergy free environment either

[laundrymom]

I just got an email from DCM that said the main issue was that I won't
be able to serve anything with peanuts or any store-bought
items that have a ''may contain'' label because the doctor said she was ''severely allergic.'' Plus she wants to make sure
that the daycare kids wash their hands and their faces when they arrive
in the mornings. She said she would call me tomorrow to discuss this
at length. I'm not sure exactly how I am going to respond but I know
I need to be very careful.

I would just tell her that you can't guarantee a nut free program and release her from her contract.

Dear mom,
Because your daughter is unable to fully participate in my program due to her recently diagnosed allergy, I am releasing you from our contract.
Thank you.

(It's no ones fault and I'm sure had she not been diagnosed she would have flourished in your place. Just let her out of her contract.) why would this be an issue legally? It's not discrimination. It's safety. Serious question.

[Thriftylady]

For me it would be a no go if it was severe. There is no way I am taking peanut butter away from DH and DD, it has been a favorite of theirs for years. Their whole lives really. I do have a blurb in my contract "flour, eggs, milk, and peanut butter are served in the daycare home". Now I wonder if that is legal?

[Blackcat31]

Last week I interviewed a nice couple who have a sweet 3-year-old girl, who I thought would fit in nicely with our group.
On Sunday, they came by to drop off the paperwork with plans to start a week from Monday. A couple of hours ago I received a text from the mom who said that her daughter was diagnosed with a peanut allergy this morning, and that she'll be emailing me later this evening a list of accommodations that will be needed for her care.
This may or may not be okay; I just don't know. I already have a daughter with Type 1 diabetes who requires a restricted diet, and it can be challenging at times. I have to be tenacious about her blood sugar levels, and now I'll need to be extra vigilant about another child's diet. I'll have to wait and see what accommodations need to be made before I decide whether I can do it or not, but at this point do I even have a choice? I've already accepted her into care and now I can't turn her away, can I? And the text was worded in such a way that she was going to tell me the accommodations, not ask me, and now I feel very nervous.

I would not be able to accommodate a child with a nut allergy. My DH is Type 1 diabetic and uses peanut M&M's as a way to raise his blood sugar when he goes low. My nephew (also a Type 1) uses them. I am very up front and open about that during interviews so that people know I am unable to accommodate a child with a nut allergy.

Also, I too am suspicious of the "sudden" diagnosis. It sounds like the mom didn't say anything at first but choose to after the fact because she knows that allergies are protected under the ADA.

[cheerfuldom]

I wouldnt take her. I would just say that you cannot offer a peanut free environment and you think it would be best for her to find a facility that offers this. At your own home, you would have to follow these guidelines even on the weekends so that there are no crumbs around the house or dropped items that her child might find and put her in mouth. This will be impossible unless your daycare setup and daycare kitchen area or completely separate. Plus there is liability you would have in accepted a child and risking a reaction under your watch.

[Blackcat31]

Here is a great thread about peanut allergies

https://www.daycare.com/forum/showthread.php?t=68887&highlight=Peanut+allergy

[Unregistered]

It's one of the first questions I ask in the phone interview, because that's something I can't accommodate nor will I assume that liability.

Years ago my kids school tried to make the parents sign a "peanut agreement" which many if not most refused. Finally they made a peanut free table in the lunch room.

The parent can't expect everyone to change their environment for one child, the real world doesn't work that way, so if you find out it's more on the severe side you could suggest a nanny.

[Blackcat31]

It's one of the first questions I ask in the phone interview, because that's something I can't accommodate nor will I assume that liability.

Years ago my kids school tried to make the parents sign a "peanut agreement" which many if not most refused. Finally they made a peanut free table in the lunch room.

The parent can't expect everyone to change their environment for one child, the real world doesn't work that way, so if you find out it's more on the severe side you could suggest a nanny.

I disagree. Seems that is exactly what is happening lately.

Many schools no longer just have peanut tables but are 100% peanut free.
A small percentage of people (adults and children) have food/peanut allergies and although I sympathize since it can be life threatening and very dangerous, not to mention just plain old scary when it's your child but I've seen many schools, facilities and programs change their rules to accommodate that small percentage of kids so I do think the real world works that way. Or is leaning that way...

[Unregistered]

I agree, there are options offered everywhere now, but they couldn't dictate that the parents not pack peanut butter sandwiches, cookies that contained peanuts, etc. so the peanut free table was the best compromise.

[Tasha]

I barely slept last night because I am so concerned about handling this correctly. What worries me the most was the attitude of her email; it did not read as though it were a request. It was just, here's what you have to do. I know when my daughter was diagnosed with diabetes I was very panicked, so I am willing to cut her a break because I am sure she is reeling. But the timing of this is very suspicious to me. And now I dread her phone call.

[Blackcat31]

I barely slept last night because I am so concerned about handling this correctly. What worries me the most was the attitude of her email; it did not read as though it were a request. It was just, here's what you have to do. I know when my daughter was diagnosed with diabetes I was very panicked, so I am willing to cut her a break because I am sure she is reeling. But the timing of this is very suspicious to me. And now I dread her phone call.

That's because she knows you can't deny her care due to the allergy.

If you decide not to take her, use ANY other reason to decline just not the peanut allergy.

Unless you have menus or other things stating you serve peanuts...then you could possibly use that as a reason.

[nannyde]

I would notify her that you have a child in your home that has Physician ordered nut products for a disability.

You will have nut products on site at all times.

She will most likely question you as to what and why... tell her you can't give any info other than you must follow the Doctors order for this child.

Get a note from your diabetes doc stating nut products are to used to manage your kids diabetes.

[mommyneedsadayoff]

I barely slept last night because I am so concerned about handling this correctly. What worries me the most was the attitude of her email; it did not read as though it were a request. It was just, here's what you have to do. I know when my daughter was diagnosed with diabetes I was very panicked, so I am willing to cut her a break because I am sure she is reeling. But the timing of this is very suspicious to me. And now I dread her phone call.

That is so rude of her. The way you describe her attitude or tone in the email says this was not new to her. She waited to be accepted and then gave you this VERY IMPORTANT information. I know it is possible she didn't know, but I highly doubt it! I would ask her point blank, "when were you aware of this allergy? When did you go to the doctor and confirm it?" And if you don't want to take on the child, then do as Nannyde suggested and say you have children who require nut products so you will not be able to provide a nut free environment or make up something else.

I just want to add that it really bugs me when people do not ask, but expect or demand that I do something. This is my home and it is VERY disrespectful, regardless of the situtation. That alone is a huge red flag for me. What other demands will she make in the future if she is willing to start now and she hasn't even started daycare?