A.F.
I found a Montessori that is near me that is peanut/tree nut free and was willing to allow me to provide soy yogurts and rice milk for my peanut, milk, egg, and fish allergic daughter.
We have since moved her home and got an au pair -- but it was the best move I ever made. Do NOT put your child in a daycare that has no experience with peanut allergies and do not trust them to keep things separate even if they say there are no peanut butter items allowed in 2 year old classrooms but are in older. Our daughter had 2 allergic reactions - both at her previous daycare (before the Montessori) - 1 was a piece of peanut-tainted chex mix a 12 mo old (yes, a 12 mo old) was eating -- it was sweet/salty and had peanuts in the bag. Daughter grabbed a piece of the chex cereal that had been in the bag and got a reaction at 12 mos 1 day old (we had NO idea she was allergic as I didn't plan on feeding peanuts/tree nuts to my child till she was at least 3 years old). She had another reaction there 2 mos later when a worker left a Reese's Peanut Butter Cup laying around on a shelf low enough for a toddler to get at. Needless to say, we moved her then. Good luck!
Whether you go center or in-home, check for experience with peanut or tree nut allergies -- it can make all the difference in the world. Once your child turns 3, I would look for a public school or catholic school preschool (ours has 3 year old full day and it is MUCH cheaper than daycare)- Public schools are required to comply with the ADA for peanut allergies and accomodations and our Catholic Preschool made the entire class (3-5 year olds) Peanut & Tree Nut free due to 3 or 4 kids out of 34 having those allergies. Makes things easier!
Best wishes!
A. K. F.
Local Childcare Coordinator (and full time attorney)
Cultural Care Au Pair
http://aferrini.aupairnews.com
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