Many mothers have to work outside of the home to provide for their families. They have to rely on daycare centers to take care of their children. It is even harder to leave your child in child care when she or he has severe food allergies. Here is why child care centers have to accommodate children with special needs.

Do Child Care Facilities have to take children with food allergies?

Every childcare facility in the United States must provide accommodations for children with special needs. According to the ADA, child care centers are not allowed to exclude a child based on having severe allergies to certain foods. It is important to ask the director upfront about their policy during your search for the right child care facility.

Special Care Plan

Parents, physicians and childcare workers have to work together to protect children with food allergies. It starts with a special care plan. A special care plan includes written instructions about the foods your child is allergic to and what steps to take to avoid these foods.

Your special care plan outlines the names of medications, dosage amounts and method of administration for medications provided during an allergic reaction. It also specifies symptoms that your child may exhibit that signal the need to administer the medication.

Parents have to play a major role in daycare centers accommodating their children with special needs. It is your responsibility to arrange for the facility to have training. Training teaches the staff and all the workers at the facility how to manage your child's food allergy. It is the responsibility of the child care workers to implement the care based on your special care plan and training. Child care workers also have to make an effort to prevent exposure to the foods that cause the allergic reaction.

Prepare Ahead

Child care centers should know what to do in case of an allergic reaction. They have to administer epinephrine, which is provided in advance by the child's parent. Epinephrine is a medication for children with a history of anaphylaxis.  

Day workers are responsible for calling EMTs to transport your child to the hospital after administering epinephrine. Anyone who takes epinephrine in emergency situations should be taken to the hospital immediately. This step must be taken even if your child is no longer exhibiting allergic reaction symptoms.

Parents who have children with special needs have to be helpful. This means providing resources and supplies. It takes working with your child care facility to provide the best care for your child. To learn more, speak with someone like Mountainside School.