Learning About Childcare Options

If you have a child that suffers from a severe allergy to certain foods or chemicals, you want to be sure that they are as safe as possible at all times. When you go to work, you need to have someone taking care of them. If you do not have family or friends in the area that can do the job for you that may mean you have to send your child to a daycare.

Before sending your child to a daycare, use the following guide to make sure that you are able to send your child to a daycare that will be as safe as possible for them:

Ask About the Food Policies

You need to be sure that you know what foods are served at the daycare, who prepares them, and if foods can be avoided in the future. You do not want your child to have exposure to their allergen in any way. Also, make sure that you know the policies for outside food being brought into the facility. Some facilities do not allow teachers or children to bring food into the facility.

Some facilities allow children to bring cupcakes and cookies for their birthdays and allow employees to bring their lunches into the building. Knowing the food practices allows you to make an informed decision about whether or not the facility is safe for your child.

Ask About Cleaning Practices

You want to be sure that the facility is thoroughly cleaned each day, but need to know what products are used to clean the items within the facility. If your child has an allergy to a chemical found in cleaning products, be sure to let the director of the daycare know and he or she can then limit the use of the product to times when your child is not present.

Ask About Medical Training

Be sure to find out if anyone on the staff is trained to handle a child having a severe allergic reaction to something. Be sure that an epinephrine pin can be used if needed and that CPR is known by people who work there. This could mean the difference between life and death, if your child has an allergic reaction at the facility.

These three factors are extremely important to know because if the foods or chemicals are brought into the building, you need to be sure that proper precautions are taken to protect your child. The daycare may ban the items from the daycare in order to protect your child or they may make restrictions about the use of the items.

Some daycares will lock up any items that children are allergic to in a cabinet or closet and only let the items come out of the closet when the daycare is closed and no children are in the building. This can be a great way to ensure the daycare is able to use the items and your child does not get exposed to them. To learn more, contact a company like Miss Barbara's Day Care with any questions or concerns you have.