Interview this evening

[bright sparks]

So my telephone interview seemed positive on Friday. It is for full time M-F starting January 7th which is they day I come back from my "home vacation"

14 mth old girl...only draw back is that she has several allergies. eggs, dairy, all nuts and salmon. nothing requiring an epipen yet but mum is taking her for regular checkups and to the specialist when necessairy.

I have had children with severe allergies before. Dairy, nuts, seafood and dog saliva all requiring me to have 2 epipens on hand and gallons of benedryl.

I have asked that she supply food as in this case I think its the safest option. Also because this isn't a case of not liking my food, I have reduced my rate by $3 per day as she will provide everything. I have talked about what my regular meal plan is and had a good chat surrounding nutrition and it would appear we are on the same page about no junk food, and thats really been her main problem not finding suitable daycare because she isn't okay with having any processed foods or places won't let her bring outside food. If I was this parent I'd feel much better supplying my own food. As a provider I am happy that she will still be sending healthy foods versus last nights left ove pizza or chicken nuggets.

I am also going to get written consent to administer benedryl whenever I see fit. Both parent's work 10 minutes away and I am 5 minutes from the hospital so if their is a reaction that is worse than normal they can be here more than likely before the ambulance would arrive.

Face to face interview is tonight and all going well I can have this wrapped up by Thursday.

Any thoughts folks??

[mimi]

It sounds like you have all bases covered. Great idea to have mom provide food and to have medication consent ready. Good luck this evening. With your plan and experience with allergies, I am sure parents will be confident bring their child to you.

[Inspired by Reggio]

I agree with that many allergies it is likely best to supply their own food for sure ~ and the written and signed medical treatment plan on file allowing administration of life saving meds for sure!

I have empathy for them having a challenge finding someone willing to accommodate all of that .... I personally would not be able to enroll anyone with a potentially life threatening allergy to nuts cause my home is not nut free and as 95% of my 'flours' are nut based I am not willing to make it nut free

[sunnydays]

I would also make sure you find out...is she allergic to the point that if she comes in contact with traces of one of those foods, she could have a reaction? I guess you have taken allergic kids before, so you are more experienced than me in this, but also think about how you will ensure that she does not accidentally get one of those foods from another child or crumbs left on the floor, etc. I have a little guy who can't eat rice in my care and it is stressful even though it isn't an anaphylactic allergy...so many things contain rice! I often give the kids snacks in my 6 seater stroller in nice weather when we spend mornings at the parks...now I have to double check everything because I cannot ensure that the kid beside him will not share his cracker etc. If I were you, I wouldn't be reducing the rate as that money you are not spending on her food would be a premium for the extra stress and work involved in something like this. Best of luck to you!

[bright sparks]

I think accomodating my own child who is a vegetarian, I am just so used to making different meals. I know probably for the majority this is a major hassle and a lot of extra work, but I don't find it to be stressful, and generally it means the whole group will eat better because they won't have those quick fix crackers or finger foods that contain common allergens. There really isn't any extra work for me, other than making sure that the child is out of arms length from others at meal times.

The biggest obsticle is outside food. Those sneaky parents who don't think, sending their kids with little baggies of cheerios, or finishing a bagel and of course the dredded timbit they eat in the car on the way over. I have written letters previously about not feeding their children peanut butter before they come to daycare and making sure they have washed their hands thoroughly with soap and water before leaving the house to make sure there are no remnants of food left on them. Ultimately I don't have control over this and some parents apparantly just don't give a damm about others. I plan to speak face to face with each parent and get them to sign an agreement. I will also add my additional allergy policy to the newcomers contract, if they choose to come, stating that I am in no way liable if their child has any reaction minor, severe or life threatening. Parent's don't have to agree to it, but its still the same expectations as the school will have from them so I am not asking to much IMO. I promise to keep their child safe so they should respect the other families needs for their safety to be accomodated.

Other than this though, its no big deal. I suppose because I have a background in healthcare, I am used to things and am very logical around it versus panicking. I do however need to be sure that my laibility waivers are up do date, very specific and would hold up if anything should happen. A lot of people would think that its not worth the liability but I say put yourself in the others shoes. Wouldn't you like to meet someone willing to accomodate you??

[bright sparks]

...is she allergic to the point that if she comes in contact with traces of one of those foods, she could have a reaction

?

Not as yet. The girl has to ingest the allergens but IME it can go either way. She will either get over it in the next couple of years and nothing will change in the meantime, or quite soon they will get worse. If it gets to much worse, then for the safety of the child, I would have to let them go. Thats my number 1 priority that they are safe. When I first dealt with a child with allergies, I was nervous, but now I have routines and ways of doing things to prevent cross contamination and to reduce the risk of reaction.

[Wonderwiper]

Hope the interview goes well tonight!!! Sounds like you are well prepared and know what your plan is!! I just wanted to say that in my opinion, there is no such thing as a food allergy that does not yet require an epi pen!!! A reaction to food may never go beyond a few hives, but there is no way to tell....the next reaction could be the big one! I find it strange that she has so many ' allergies' but does not have an epi pen just in case!!! My daughter has an allergy and before we had even set foot in a specialists office our GP had loaded me up with epi pens!!! To any providers terrified of allergies....althoug h the thought of a reaction is scary, a reaction can be so easily avoided at this age, we are completely in charge of what they are exposed to! I hope they are a good fit for you, I think they will be lucky to have found you!!

[bright sparks]

Wonderwiper, I have had a daycare child with an epipen long before seeing a specialist too but I really think it is all dependant on the doctor. They are the ones making the call, but I will definitely be discussing it with the mother and father about requesting 2 epi-pens from their family doctor just in case. Better safe than sorry.

[kidlove]

The only thing I would do during the interview for my own comfort would be to request she have a lot of floor play, keep an eye on her behavior as far as putting things in her mouth. That could be real scarey if she has a habit of putting things in her mouth as so many do at that age, with severe allergies and those habits you could have a lot of stress on your hands if you take her. Nothing wrong with having a child with allergies, just be aware of the stress and liability that can come with it. Sometimes the spot filled and the paycheck can't outweigh the issues that can come. Make sure the parents are open and honest regarding any and all concerns. Does any one ever have a seperate contract regarding such things as allergies and other medical needs for the children, for further protection of the provider given a medical emergency arises? just a few thoughts I would have.

[bright sparks]

I do have additional policies as stated above with regards to allergies. This is to protect me from the repercusions if something awful were to happen while the child was in my care.The mouthing toys is also a big risk factor. I am definitely going to think about this thoroughly before making a decision. All my other kiddies were with me before their allergies came up versus taking someone on from day one with known allergies.