Anaphylaxic Policy

At Child’s Paradise Day Care Centre, we realize the importance of identification of all anaphylactic children. We have this Policy in place to help in ensuring that the children in our Centre are safe at all times. While it is impossible to create a risk-free environment, we take the following important steps to minimize potentially fatal anaphylactic reactions. 

1. The parent/guardian of the child will inform the Child Care Centre of the child’s anaphylactic allergy when placing their child’s name on the Waiting List.
    
2. Prior to enrolment, the family will provide the Centre with an allergy information sheet from their allergist.
    
3.  All anaphylactic children are identified to the Staff verbally and the anaphylactic child and their parent/guardian will meet with Centre Staff prior to the child’s first day to discuss what steps will be taken to maintain the child’s safety. This information will be signed by both the Centre Director and the parent/guardian.
    
4. Upon entry to the Child Care Program, the child’s parent/guardian will provide the Centre with a recent photo of their child.  This photo and anaphylactic/allergy information will be posted on the allergy list. This identification method is used for all children having a serious allergy or medical condition.
    
5.  The parents will also provide the Child Care Program with two Epi-Pens prior to enrolment. One Epi-Pen will be stored in the Medication Lock Box, while the other one will be in a fanny pack worn by the child or a staff member in the child’s room (this person will be determined by staff and the family).
    
6. If need be families in the Centre may be provided with information regarding specific allergies and what steps can be taken to support a safe program (i.e. nut free alternatives). This will be in conjunction with the Health Unit and the child's family.

   Program room staff will take reasonable steps to create a safe program room.

   • monitor food brought into centre
   • disinfecting of tables before & after eating
   • hand washing
   • not providing the allergic item
   • other measures as dictated by the allergy and the plan signed by the parent

   Families are asked to provide an ingredient list for any food items brought to the centre that will be shared with others.

7. Staff are required to be trained on Epi-Pen usage and anaphylactic reactions during their annual CPR recertification.