Looking for Peanut Free Preschool

Updated on June 20, 2007
T.C. asks from Vancouver, WA
5 answers

I have a four year old son with a severe peanut allergy. We held him out of preschool last year for his safety. We would like him to go to preschool this year. I have been helping him with learning, but feel he is a little behind. We also want to be sure he gets the social aspect of school. The problem I'm having is finding a preschool that is peanut free. If anyone knows of a school in the Vancouver area that would fit our needs, we would greatly appreciate the information.

Thank you,
T. C.

What can I do next?

  • Add yourAnswer own comment
  • Ask your own question Add Question
  • Join the Mamapedia community Mamapedia
  • as inappropriate
  • this with your friends

More Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.M.

answers from Anchorage on

Darn! I was so excited when I though I had an answer for you, but I see that you're in Vancouver! (I don't know why you're on my list...lol)

I just enrolled my son in preschool for the fall, and that was specifically mentioned in the literature - they don't allow nuts or nut products of any kind. And the only beverage they serve is water (cloud juice!)

Good luck - I'm sure you'll find something, but you'll probably have to look. It seems to be the smaller, word-of-mouth type programs that are more mindful of this kind of thing. Which is a better place for your kid to be anyway!

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.S.

answers from Portland on

We have a GREAT preschool that is in Hazel Dell, "First Step Northwest". Not only is it peanut free it is organic. Class is from 9am to 11:45am. Please feel free to send me an email for more information!

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

B.

answers from Portland on

Hi T.,

My now 8 year old son went to a peanut free preschool for 2 years in Beaverton, so they do exist. They had a strict policy against any type of nuts for food or in the classroom and for art and science projects. The only issue was birthday parties in which parents could bring snacks as long as they were nut free, but since most bakeries cross contaminate, I just always brought him his own special treat for the parties, just in case. The teacher carried his epi pens to recess or to other classrooms. He never had any type of reaction. Food allergies are growing, so more and more schools are now more aware of the potential dangers of nuts. I would keep checking in your area.

Good luck!
B.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.P.

answers from Portland on

When you say a serious peanut allegy do you mean that he has a life threatening reaction when there are peanuts in the room?

My granddaughter has a peanut allergy but has never eaten peanuts; therefore we don't know what reaction she would have. We told the preschool about the allergy and gave them cashew butter to use when they fed the rest of the kids pb and j sandwiches. From the time she could talk in sentences she would tell people that she was allergic to peanuts if anyone offered her any. I don't know how she knew but by the time she was in kindergarten she could taste peanuts if she did get something with peanuts in it. She'd spit the food out and adamantly reminded us that she could not eat that. That's not to say that she's never consumed peanuts. We don't know. She has had food that was prepared in a place that processed peanuts and not had a reaction. With the school nurses encouragement we are more careful about eliminating that sort of food also.

Once she was in the public school system they required that an epi-pen was kept at the school. School staff had training in recognizing symptoms and administering the medication.

I have never heard of a peanut free school. I do know of several children at my daughter's school that do have peanut allergies and the staff is careful to not expose them. Her kindergarten teacher purchased all snacks, with money that all parents contributed towards snacks, herself to be sure that there were no peanuts involved. But, now, in 1st grade, the teacher has the children bring their own snacks from home.

My granddaughter's preschool were very careful to see that she didn't get any peanuts. And all of their food was prepared from scratch in their kitchen. I think that's as close as you're going to get to peanut free. You can discuss this issue with various small preschools and may find one that will work with you.

Unless of course your son has already had anaphalatic shock from being exposed to peanuts. Or his breathing has been compromised. In that case you might want to not try preschool. What recommendation has your son's doctor made? Has he seen an allergist?

In that case you could provide socialization learning by participating in play groups. And you could "home school." There are lots of good supplies at a school supply store. There are groups that help each other with home schooling but I don't know if preschool is included in that.

Allergies certainly do complicate life. I have several adult onset food allergies and peanuts is one of them. I've read that children often outgrow food allergies. My granddaughter was also allergic to milk and eggs as a toddler but now peanuts is the only food allergy left.

I've also started well into anaphalactyc shock when stung by a bee two different times and once when I was administered a contrast solution. Two times the doctors gave me a Benedryl type of pill which stopped the process. However with the second bee sting in the same day I did receive a shot. I was 12. This was before epi-pens or any other home way to stop a life threatening reaction. I was on a farm and it was at least 20 minutes before we got to the doctor. It became increasingly more difficult to breathe and my face became quite swollen. My aunt gave me an antihistamine pill before we headed into town.

Often an oral antihistamine will stop a less serious reaction. I've given my granddaughter, at her pediatrician's recommendation, Benedryl at double the dose when she's had hives. It's surprising how quickly the hives disappear.

Hope this helps.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.S.

answers from Portland on

Hi T.,

My 2 boys are enrolled at The Goddard School...off of the 192nd st exit from HWY 14. It is completely peanut/nut free.

Good Luck!
K.

For Updates and Special Promotions
Follow Us

Related Questions

Related Searches