Love Our Nursery School...but..

I would contact the director of the school and list these things as SEVERE ALLERGIES. People don't play around with allergies anymore. In my kids old preK, they would make any child with an allergy wear a bright yellow wrist band with a list of their allergies.

Chances are, your son's school is used to FOOD allergies, not contact allergies, and they're adjusting to this new thing as well. Not saying they're taking it lightly, but they're learning, you know? So contact the director AND the teachers, and make sure they list these things as severe allergies.

Most effective is to teach your son that he needs to only use water or he will get a rash and try to remember that he needs a hat. It amazing how much a young child can learn with repetition. I have 5 kids from 23 down to my 3 yr old son. Also the teacher can learn with repetition from you. Try this too: whenever my children loved certain teachers or schools I would make it my business to learn about them. What are there birthdays? Anniversary? Ask the school what their start date was for their anniversary with the school. Get them gift certificates for relaxing things like mani/pedi, facial, massage. You would be surprised how much they remember to do special care items with your child when you are giving them special care as well. Holidays gifts will not have the same effect. All parents potentially give gifts on holidays. If budget is an issue here is something I have done...see if the teacher/s have children of the same gender as your child but a bit younger. I would bag up all the clothes my kids grew out of and pass them down to the teacher for their child. I hope these help!

I am a former VPK teacher and a director as well. I can tell you that if I were the director, I would make sure that the correct care is being handled. Teachers may get busy and forget but that kind of thing is important. I also have a six year old son, who has multiple food allergies/had eczema and is sensitive to perfumes etc. He is allergic to fish and peanuts and tree nuts well. I think that as a teacher or director the importance of that issue will need to be said again. Sometimes a change in personel happens and when supervising so many kids things go on that make some teachers forgetful. I would not tolerate repeat offenses as a director though.Have a meeting and explain to them one more time just how important it is to you and to your child.

Teach your son about his needs. Even at a young age they will remember if continue to teach them. You don't mention his age, but if he is too young to talk he is not too young to communicate. Teach him a little hand signal "No, no", so he can help remind him no bad soap. He can and will also remember to wear his hat if you verbally say it to him each time he goes out.

Talk with the director. There really is no excuse for this, no matter how great they are! In my son's preschool, the "allergy and warning" list is posted in each classroom in multiple locations. We also do the sunscreen and hat thing in the warmer months and the chapstick and gloves thing now that it's chilly. He has a sign ON his cubby so that he is reminded (pictures) and they are reminded before he goes outside. They do this with all of the children.

It is their responsibility to ensure his health and safety while there. Send in a note outlining (nicely) the issues to the director. In the note, request a meeting to figure out a way to keep this from happening again!

Talk to them again. Show them the rash and show them the sunburn. They probably think you're just a picky parent, but if you demonstrate what happens when he gets chemicals or sun on him, they should pay more attention.

If they don't, you'll have to decide whether the occasional rashes and slight sunburn are worth sticking around for the otherwise great care.

I agree, go to the director. Tell her what you told us - you and your son love the school, but these things are deal breakers for you (you can do that kindly, lovingly, and politely, I'm sure - just the way you worded it here). You don't want to leave, but you will if you have to, your son is too important to mess around with . . . . see if that doesn't make the difference.

Send the director an email asking what else you should or could do because you thought you were clear and proactive but your son is coming home burned and with rashes.

My DD had really horrible diaper rash and had to use paper towels for a while, which I happily supplied. It sounds like you have tried to make it as easy as possible for them but it still isn't being done and is affecting his health. If you need to fill out another form or put a note on his cubby or whatever, then fine, but this is not a small thing.