Published on March 10, 2025
Children’s dietary requirements, be they allergies or preferences, are of the utmost importance at nursery. While we try to emphasise the need for a balanced diet and find fun ways of incorporating new foods into children’s diets through snacks, hands-on activities and discovery, we also understand the need for careful navigation.
When a child in our care has an allergy, we start by asking for as much information as possible. And this isn’t restricted solely to the kitchen and to food prep! The allergies we come across can also be environmental and seasonal – with the information we are given, enabling us to consider this when activity – and menu - planning. And, perhaps more importantly, allowing us a chance to adjust the nursery programme to minimise the impact of an allergy on each child’s nursery experience and developmental journey.
With around 1 in 10 children in the UK affected by some form of allergy, it’s crucial that you find a nursery which is equipped to deal with your child’s allergy – whether that be adjusting the catering for your child, controlling their environment, or knowing how to respond to anaphylaxis.
Communication is the most important step in managing allergies, with parents needing to inform their childcare facility or nursery of any allergies, and the nursery needing to make both their full team and other children and their families know.
Being allergy-aware is the best way to minimise the risk of exposure to allergens, especially when they concern food, with other children posing a risk if they bring certain ingredients or products to nursery unexpectedly. And it doesn’t end there.
At My Ohana, we support children with all degree of allergies, by delivering personalised care, allergy-aware meal planning, and comprehensive staff training.
Concerning environmental and seasonal allergies, we also make sure to plan and risk assess any outside activities – adjusting the schedule for all children, so as not to alienate those who are unable to partake in certain activities or visit specific locations.
In an effort to make nursery an inclusive setting for children with allergies, there is no “us and them” approach at My Ohana – rather, all children enjoy the same variety of activities, tailored according to allergies or any other medical concerns.
If you have a child with allergies, consider this a sign that you don’t have to keep them away from nursery and open childcare settings. Instead, you need to employ accurate and effective communication, making the nursery team aware of the allergy and your child’s response to allergens, so that they can navigate it seamlessly.
An allergy doesn’t have to equate to alienation from certain activities. At the right childcare setting, an allergy will simply be accepted, ensuring the child’s health and happiness and allowing them to thrive alongside their peers.
At My Ohana, our team is always open to discussing allergies and concerns with parents and can offer practical support and advice on how best to navigate an allergen within the nursery setting.
