What Parents Need to Know About Enrolling a Child With Allergies in Daycare
Food allergies are becoming more and more common in young children. According to the CDC, about 1 in 13 kids has a food allergy—that’s roughly two children in every classroom. With so many little ones at risk for serious allergic reactions, it’s critical that daycares are fully prepared to manage food allergies safely and responsibly.
Every state has specific rules through its childcare licensing department that daycares must follow when caring for children with allergies. These requirements are in place to protect children’s health and prevent avoidable emergencies.
Notifying Daycare About Your Child’s Allergies
When enrolling your child in daycare, one of the most important steps is informing the daycare staff about any food allergies. This typically involves filling out forms that identify the allergens your child needs to avoid. But more than that, most daycares will require a detailed allergy statement from your child’s doctor.
This statement outlines:
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Which allergens your child is sensitive to
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What symptoms to watch for
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What medications your child might need (like antihistamines or epinephrine)
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What emergency procedures should be followed if they’re exposed
For kids with serious allergies, epinephrine (often in the form of an EpiPen) is a key part of their emergency response plan. When this information is provided, the daycare should use it to create a comprehensive food allergy care plan specific to your child.
What Is a Daycare Food Allergy Plan?
A food allergy plan is a step-by-step guide that tells daycare staff how to safely care for a child with allergies. At a minimum, the plan should include:
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A list of safe and unsafe foods for the child
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Instructions on how to avoid cross-contamination
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Warning signs of an allergic reaction
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Emergency steps to take if an allergic reaction happens
Daycares should keep a copy of this plan in the child’s classroom, where it’s easy for all staff members to see and reference at any time. Unfortunately, not every daycare takes these steps seriously. Some cut corners or fail to follow the allergy plan correctly, which puts children at serious risk for life-threatening reactions like severe swelling, anaphylaxis, or even cardiac arrest.
If a Child Is Exposed to an Allergen at Daycare
If your child is accidentally exposed to something they’re allergic to while at daycare, staff members must act quickly. Time is critical during an allergic reaction.
Here’s what the daycare should do:
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Follow the allergy plan exactly as it’s written
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Administer emergency medication, like an EpiPen, if it’s part of the plan
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Call 911 immediately to get professional medical help
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Contact you, the parent or guardian, without delay
Allergic reactions can escalate quickly. If a child is struggling to breathe and doesn’t receive prompt treatment, they can suffer from asphyxiation, which may cause permanent brain damage, organ failure, or even death. This is why daycares must never delay emergency care or “wait and see” if a child starts to feel better on their own.
What to Do If Your Child Had an Allergic Reaction at a Texas Daycare
If your child experienced a serious allergic reaction at a daycare because staff failed to follow the allergy plan, it’s important to take action. You deserve answers—and your child deserves justice.
Our legal team is here to help families navigate these incredibly difficult situations. We work with families whose children have suffered due to daycare negligence, including food allergy incidents. These cases are serious and often life-changing, and we’re here to help you every step of the way.
If you’re not ready to speak with us just yet, that’s okay. We invite you to download our free guide, 5 Steps to Take After a Daycare Injury, which walks you through what to do next and how to protect your child’s legal rights.
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