On this page
Managing mealtimes in childcare
How mealtimes are managed will depend on the age of the children, whether the service provides all the food or whether children bring in their own food, and what the child is allergic to.
More information on managing mealtimes can be found on the Allergy Aware and All About Allergens websites.
Some CEC services who provide meals choose not to include peanut or tree nuts in the menu as these are not essential (staple) foods and can be eaten at home. This should not be considered a food ban and is not helpful for children who are allergic to other foods. Foods which are staple foods in the diet such as wheat, cow’s milk (dairy) and egg cannot be removed in CEC services. Things to think about and ways to reduce risk include:
Food preparation
- Have the staff who prepare or serve food done the All About Allergens food service training for CECs?
- Who provides the food?
- Can you look at menus ahead of time?
- Allergy meals must be covered and labelled with the child’s name.
- Staff should use a plate/cup/bowl/bottle (colour/animal sticker) that looks different to other children’s as a reminder of food allergy.
Handing out meals
- Children with food allergies must be served first.
- Permanent staff who know the children with food allergy should hand out meals rather than casual staff.
- Two staff members should check that the right child is receiving the right food.
- Share plates should not be used. The child with food allergy needs to learn to eat their own food and not presume they can share food, even if it is something they eat at home all the time.
Eating
Children with food allergies should not be made to sit apart from the other children during meal and snack times, and they must be supervised.
- For infants with food allergy, a separate highchair is recommended.
- Sit older children with food allergy with friends who are tidy eaters and not eating the food allergen.
- All children should be seated to eat and drink (including babies and toddlers with milk bottles).
Hand washing
- Staff must wash their hands after handling food, including their break times.
- Children must wash their hands after eating.
- Children with food allergies should wash their hands before eating as well as after meals.
- Baby wipes or clothes can be used to remove allergens from hands if running water and soap is not available.
- Hand sanitiser does NOT remove food allergens, it helps prevent infection only.
Other ways to reduce risk
The following things should be talked about with CEC staff and then ways to reduce risk should be written in the child’s individualised anaphylaxis care plan.
Cleaning
How do staff clean up after meals or other activities involving food? They must:
- Wipe down tables and highchairs with warm/hot soapy water after meals.
- Clean up spills, posits/vomit quickly.
- Clean meal area before allowing children to play there.
Soaps, creams and lotions at childcare
Some soaps, nappy creams, sunscreens and moisturisers contain allergens. Does the service supply any of these products? Ask:
- Does the CEC use products that contain food allergens? If unsure, ask them to check.
- Do staff check ingredients before applying?
- Can parents of children with food allergy supply their own soaps, creams, sunscreens and moisturisers? How will staff make sure these will be used on the child?
Water bottles
- Where are water bottles kept? The water bottles of children with food allergy should be kept separate.
- How do staff make sure that children do not drink out of each other’s water bottles?
Special events at childcare
Special events such as theme days and outings are a high-risk time for children with food allergy. Staff can be distracted with organising extra activities. When special events are planned, the CEC service should:
- Plan the event so all children can participate, even the children with food allergies.
- Let parents of children with food allergy know about activities early so they can organise what they need to:
- Allow parents to attend or organise another carer such as a grandparent to attend.
- Send appropriate food for their child.
Cooking activities at childcare
CEC staff should:
- Tell you when food/cooking activities are planned.
- Make sure that food the children are allergic to is not used.
- Encourage children not to share food with each other.
- Make sure all children joining the activity wash their hands once they leave the group, even if the activity is not finished.
Play time at childcare
CEC staff should:
- Know that craft items can contain food allergens such as milk or egg cartons.
- Make sure that children don’t have access to toys while they are eating.
- Remove toys which have been placed in a child’s mouth until they have been cleaned.
Age appropriate learning and responsibility
Stories and role playing can help children learn how to manage their own food allergy as well as to look after their friends who have food allergy. Simple things to teach young children about food allergies include:
- Washing hands.
- Not to share food.
- Tell an adult if they or their friend with food allergy is feeling unwell.
- A&AA have developed books and videos to help teach children about food allergies, see below.
Read more about childcare and allergies
Tips and guidance on how to help keep children with allergies safe in childcare.