It's hard to believe we are already entering into our second month of preschool! Since we started out with a few bumps the first week, I wasn't sure if I would be pulling my hair out by this point or feeling much better about everything. Thankfully, I can report that I am feeling a lot better.
I feel like the snack situation is working out great. There is a list in his classroom of the things he can and cannot eat. On the days they serve something he cannot eat, his cubby is full of alternatives for him to choose from. There is a giant baggie with cookies and fruit snacks that he is always happy to eat from. He has never, ever complained about not being able to eat what the other children eat. I am so thankful for that!
After the pink cupcake incident last month, I was nervous about birthday celebrations. To not make him feel completely deprived when the other kids get to indulge in cupcakes, I made him some that they keep in the freezer. When I walked in a couple of weeks ago and saw a big box of Spiderman cupcakes on the table, I reminded his teacher of this. She told they were just waiting to make sure he came that day before they pulled one out.
Last Tuesday when I arrived, one of the directors approached me with a scared look in her eyes. She started sputtering something about donuts. I wasn't sure what all she was saying and I could tell she was very upset. I knew they didn't allow nuts in the building so that wasn't an issue. I told her that Tyler has his special snacks if they eat donuts. She then explained that someone had eaten a donut in his class right before we arrived and that they had disinfected the table after. I asked if the donut had nuts and she said "No, but it was processed in a facility with them!" I assured her that did not worry me. I just would not want him to eat them. She said she was just concerned there could be a peanut speck that got on the table.
I told her how much I appreciated her concern. I told her my biggest concern is keeping him totally away from nuts. I know it impossible for me to keep him away from things processed around them. That night, I told my husband I thought they might be being a little too cautious but I wasn't going to discourage it a bit!
Late last week, signs appeared all over the building reminding people they are a nut-free environment. This week there were even more of them. I'm not sure what prompted it but I bet someone in the older class brought something in. I didn't ask but I'm just thankful they take peanut allergies so seriously.
Next month, I'll post another update. Hopefully I will feel as good as I do right now...
What about the rest of you that just started preschool when Tyler did? Any problems? Any concerns? What issues are you dealing with? Are you more or less scared than you were a month ago? I'd love to hear from you!
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5 comments:
My PA son will be entering preschool (along with his non-PA twin brother) next fall. I went to my first school tour earlier this week. I had a few questions written down that I wanted to ask - just one of which was about allergies. I was pretty excited going in - however, I left with tears in my eyes, knowing that I would never, ever allow my son to attend that school. I think the reality of food allergies hit me for the very first time (my son was just diagnosed this past July after a non-anaphylactic reaction). When I asked the director about their PA policy, she remained polite, but became very defensive. I could tell that she was thinking, "oh no - not one of THOSE moms"! Her answers were a bit patronizing and she was obviously totally ignorant about the facts of PA - unforgivable since they have a number of PA kids there.
I am a relatively new reader of your blog and just went back and looked at your first preschool posts. I can only hope that I can find a preschool like the one that you found.
Laurie
Hi Lori! I'm sorry you had that experience. I actually was not going to put Tyler in preschool this year because I was so scared but I met another PA mom that sent her son to our school and was very happy. That led me to investigate. They're not perfect but they try very, very hard.
I would encourage you to meet other PA moms in your area, possibly through a support group. They are going to be your best resource and support network for things like preschool.
Good luck and please let me know if I can help you in any way as you try to find a good preschool.
So far, preschool has been a great experience for my PA son! The school has a "safe" list of acceptable treats to bring in for birthdays, and my son always brings his own safe food from home no matter what. There are big peanut-free signs for all to see. There are no peanuts or nuts anywhere and the other parents have been so thoughtful. The teachers have been great too, checking with me about homemade playdough and the cooking segments they do. Every Friday, they "cook", and the school gives me a heads-up so my son can have a safe treat from home that's similar. Preschool is working out fine and I am so glad about that. Around the 1st of the year, I will begin worrying about Kindergarten!
Robyn, I'm so glad that you have found such a great school! Nathan's pre-k was a disaster! So far, kindergarten has been ok, other than they took him on a field trip the other day and DID NOT TAKE HIS EPIPEN!!! (According to my son, that is). Laurie, I'm so sorry for the experience you had....I hope you can find a better school soon! Hugs, Karen
We are in month 2 of preschool as well. I'm very fortunate because the preschool facility is peanut/tree nut free. The school also provides approved snacks and has a strict policy that nothing can be brought it that contains the statement about being made in the same facility, etc. They reject anything that parents bring in that isn't safe. They distribute a hand out which lists of approved bday treats such as ho-ho's or the hostess cupcakes. Overall I feel comfortable with how educated the staff seems to be at this point and just hope it continues to be a safe environment.
Laura
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