s love, respect, and individualized care to foster their holistic development and well-being.
Our Philosophy:
At Apple A Day Special Needs Daycare, we are guided by the following core principles:
Inclusion and Acceptance: We embrace and celebrate the diverse abilities and strengths of each child. We create an inclusive atmosphere where every child feels accepted, valued, and understood for who they are.
Individualized Care: We recognize that every child with autism is unique and requires personalized attention. Our program is designed to cater to each child's specific needs, interests, and learning styles.
Holistic Development: We focus on nurturing all aspects of a child's development, including cognitive, social, emotional, physical, and communication skills. We believe in fostering well-rounded growth to support their lifelong journey.
Collaborative Approach: We believe in the power of collaboration and partnership with families, therapists, and professionals involved in the child's care. Together, we work as a team to ensure consistent and effective support for the child.
Play-Based Learning: We understand the significance of play in a child's development. Our program incorporates play-based activities that stimulate imagination, creativity, and problem-solving skills.
Our Goals:
At Apple A Day Special Needs Daycare, our primary goals are:
Social Skills Development: To support children in developing social interaction and communication skills, fostering positive peer relationships, and promoting social play.
Emotional Regulation: To assist children in recognizing and managing their emotions, helping them build emotional resilience and coping strategies.
Language and Communication: To enhance language development and communication skills through speech therapy, visual aids, and individualized communication methods.
Sensory Integration: To create an environment that accommodates sensory sensitivities and helps children with sensory integration challenges feel comfortable and safe.
Fine and Gross Motor Skills: To encourage the development of fine and gross motor skills through targeted activities, such as arts and crafts, outdoor play, and physical exercises.
Our Activities:
At Apple A Day Special Needs Daycare, we offer a diverse range of activities tailored to the needs of children on the autistic scale, including:
Structured Learning Time: Short, focused learning sessions using visual aids and hands-on materials to target individualized goals.
Sensory Play: Engaging activities that stimulate the senses, such as sensory bins, tactile exploration, and calming sensory rooms.
Social Skills Groups: Small-group sessions to practice turn-taking, sharing, and communication in real-life scenarios.
Speech and Language Therapy: Incorporating speech therapy techniques to facilitate language development and communication.
Outdoor Play and Physical Activities: Outdoor playtime to encourage physical exercise, balance, and coordination.
Art and Music: Creative art sessions and music activities to encourage self-expression and emotional outlet.
Conclusion:
At Apple A Day Special Needs Daycare, we are dedicated to creating a loving and supportive environment where children on the autistic scale can flourish. Through individualized care, evidence-based practices, and collaborative efforts, we strive to provide a meaningful and enriching experience that lays the foundation for their future success. Our passionate team of caregivers is committed to embracing each child's uniqueness and empowering them to shine bright like the stars they are.
Signature of Apple A Day Daycare Director:________________________
Date:_____________________________
Special Needs
This policy is intended to fulfill the obligations set out under Ontario Regulation 137/15 for an anaphylactic policy for child care centres. The requirements set out in this policy align with Sabrina’s Law, 2005.
Note: definitions for terms used throughout this policy are provided in a Glossary at the end of the document.
Policy
Individualized Plans and Emergency Procedures for Children with Life-Threatening/Anaphylactic Allergies
• Before attending the child care centre, the supervisor/designate will meet with the parent of a child to obtain information about any medical conditions, including whether the child is at risk of having or has anaphylaxis.
• Before a child attends the child care centre or upon discovering that a child has an anaphylactic allergy, an individualized plan and emergency procedures will be developed for each child with anaphylaxis in consultation and collaboration with the child’s parent, and any regulated health professional who is involved in the child’s care that the parent believes should be included in the consultation (the form in Appendix A may be used for this purpose).
• All individualized plans and emergency procedures will include a description of symptoms of an anaphylactic reaction that are specific to the child and the procedures to be followed in the event of an allergic reaction or other medical emergency based on the severity of the child’s symptoms.
• The individualized plan and emergency procedures for each child will include information for those who are in direct contact with the child on a regular basis about the type of allergy, monitoring and avoidance strategies and appropriate treatment.
• All individualized plans and emergency procedures will be made readily accessible at all times to all staff, students and volunteers at the child care centre and will be kept [insert location where individualized plans will be kept] .
• All individualized plans and emergency procedures will be reviewed with a parent of the child [insert frequency of review] to ensure the information is current and up to date.
• Every child’s epinephrine auto-injector must be carried everywhere the child goes.
• [insert additional policies related to individualized plans and emergency procedures]
Strategies to Reduce the Risk of Exposure to Anaphylactic Allergens
The following strategies to reduce the risk of exposure to anaphylactic causative agents must be followed at all times by employees, students and volunteers at the child care centre.
• Do not serve foods where its ingredients are not known.
• Do not serve items with ‘may contain’ warnings on the label in a room where there is a child who has an individualized plan and emergency procedures specifying those allergens.
• Ask the caterer or cook to provide the known ingredients for all food provided. The ingredients will be reviewed before food is served to children to verify that causative agents are not served to children with anaphylactic allergies.
• In cases where a child has food allergies and the meals and snacks provided by the child care centre cannot meet the child’s needs, ask the child’s parent to supply snacks/meals for their child. All written instructions for diet provided by a parent will be implemented.
• Ensure that parents label food brought to the child care centre with the child’s full name and the date the food arrived at the child care centre, and that parents advise of all ingredients.
• Where food is provided from home for children, ensure that appropriate supervision of children is maintained so that food is not shared or exchanged.
• Encourage parents who serve foods containing allergens at home to ensure their child has been rid of the allergens prior to attending the child care centre (e.g. by thoroughly washing hands, brushing teeth, etc.)
• Do not use craft/sensory materials and toys that have known allergens on the labels.
• Share information about anaphylaxis, strategies to reduce the risk of exposure to known allergens and treatment with all families enrolled in the child care centre.
• Make sure each child’s individual plan and emergency procedure are kept-up-to-date and that all staff, students, and volunteers are trained on the plans.
• Refer to the allergy list and ensure that it is up to date and implemented.
• Update staff, students, and volunteers when changes to a child’s allergies, signs and symptoms, and treatment occur and review all updates to individualized plans and emergency procedures.
• Update families when changes to allergies occur while maintaining the confidentiality of children.
• Update or revise and implement the strategies in this policy depending on the allergies of children enrolled at the child care centre.
• [insert additional strategies to reduce risk]
Communication Plan
The following is our communication plan for sharing information on life-threatening and anaphylactic allergies with staff, students, volunteers, parents and families.
• Parents will be encouraged not to bring foods that contain ingredients to which children may be allergic.
• Parents and families will be informed about anaphylactic allergies and all known allergens at the child care centre through [insert method of communication].
• A list of all children’s allergies including food and other causative agents will be posted in all cooking and serving areas, in each play activity room, and made available in any other area where children may be present.
• Each child with an anaphylactic allergy will have an individualized plan and emergency procedures that detail signs and symptoms specific to the child describing how to identify that they are having an allergic reaction and what to do if they experience a reaction.
• Each child’s individualized plan and emergency procedures will be made available and accessible wherever the child may be present while receiving child care.
• The caterer, cook, individuals who collect groceries on behalf of the child care centre and/or other food handling staff, where applicable, will be informed of all the allergies at the child care centre, including those of children, staff, students and volunteers. An updated list of allergies will be provided to the caterer or cook as soon as new allergies are identified. The supervisor or designate will communicate with the caterer/cook about which foods are not to be used in food prepared for the child care centre and will work together on food substitutions to be provided.
• The child care centre will communicate with the Ministry of Education by reporting serious occurrences where an anaphylactic reaction occurs in accordance with the established serious occurrence policy and procedures.
• This communication plan will be continually reviewed to ensure it is meeting the needs of the child care centre and that it is effectively achieving its intended result.
• [insert additional communication plans]
Drug and Medication Requirements
• Where drugs or medications will need to be administered to a child in response to an anaphylactic reaction, the drug and medication administration policy will be followed including the completion of a parental authorization form to administer drugs or medications.
• Emergency allergy medication (e.g. oral allergy medications, puffers and epinephrine auto-injectors) will be allowed to remain unlocked or carried by children with parental authorization so that they can be administered quickly when needed.
• [insert additional drug and medication requirements]
Training
• [insert role] will ensure that the supervisor/designate and/or all staff, students and volunteers receive training from a parent of a child with anaphylaxis on the procedures to follow in the event of a child having an anaphylactic reaction, including how to recognize the signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis and administer emergency allergy medication.
• Where only the supervisor/designate has been trained by a parent, the supervisor/designate will ensure training is provided to all other staff, students and volunteers at the child care centre.
• Training will be repeated annually, and any time there are changes to any child’s individualized plan and emergency procedures.
• A written record of training for staff, students and volunteers on procedures to be followed for each child who has an anaphylactic allergy will be kept, including the names of individuals who have not yet been trained. This will ensure that training is tracked and follow-up is completed where an individual has missed or not received training. The form in Appendix B may be used for this purpose.
• [insert additional training requirements]
Confidentiality
• Information about a child’s allergies and medical needs will be treated confidentially and every effort will be made to protect the privacy of the child, except when information must be disclosed for the purpose of implementing the procedures in this policy and for legal reasons (e.g. to the Ministry of Education, College of Early Childhood Educators, law enforcement authorities or a Children’s Aid Society).
Additional Policy Statements
Consider including additional policy statements, as applicable, e.g. what the policy will be regarding children with anaphylaxis who do not have epinephrine on site, what to do if a child returning from school does not arrive to the child care centre with their emergency allergy medication, how to return medication for discharged children, how many epinephrine auto-injectors will be required for each child, etc.
Click here to enter text.
Procedures to be followed in the circumstances described below:
Circumstance Roles and Responsibilities
A) A child exhibits an anaphylactic reaction to an allergen
1. The person who becomes aware of the child’s anaphylactic reaction must immediately:
i. implement the child’s individualized plan and emergency procedures;
ii. contact emergency services and a parent/guardian of the child, or have another person do so where possible; and
iii.ensure that where an epinephrine auto-injector has been used, it is properly discarded (i.e. given to emergency services, or in accordance with the drug and medication administration policy).
2.Once the child’s condition has stabilized or the child has been taken to hospital, staff must:
i. follow the child care centre’s serious occurrence policies and procedures;
ii. document the incident in the daily written record; and
iii. document the child’s symptoms of ill health in the child’s records.
B) A child is authorized to carry his/her own emergency allergy medication.
1. Staff must:
i. ensure that written parental authorization is obtained to allow the child to carry their own emergency allergy medication;
ii. ensure that the medication remains on the child (e.g., fanny pack, holster) and is not kept or left unattended (e.g. in the child’s cubby or backpack);
iii. ensure that appropriate supervision is maintained of the child while carrying the medication and of children in their close proximity so that other children do not have access to the medication; and
iv. Where there are safety concerns relating to the child carrying his/her own medication (e.g. exposure to other children), notify the centre supervisor/designate and the child’s parent of these concerns, and discuss and implement mitigating strategies. Document the concerns and resulting actions in the daily written record.
Additional Procedures
Consider including additional procedures, as applicable, e.g. how to properly dispose of expired emergency allergy medication, how to provide training on individualized plans and emergency procedures, how to communicate about anaphylactic allergies, how to advise on allergies specific to children vs. staff, students and volunteers, etc.
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Glossary
Anaphylaxis: a severe systemic allergic reaction which can be fatal, resulting in circulatory collapse or shock. Symptoms can vary for different people, and can be different from one reaction to the next, including:
• Skin: hives, swelling, itching, warmth, redness, rash
• Breathing (respiratory): coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, chest pain/tightness, throat tightness/swelling, hoarse voice, nasal congestion or hay fever-like symptoms (runny nose and watery eyes, sneezing), trouble swallowing
• Stomach (gastrointestinal): nausea, pain/cramps, vomiting, diarrhea
• Heart (cardiovascular): pale/blue colour, weak pulse, passing out, dizzy/lightheaded, shock
• Other: anxiety, feeling of “impending doom”, headache, uterine cramps, metallic taste in mouth
(Source: http://foodallergycanada.ca/about-allergies/anaphylaxis/)
Causative Agent (allergen/trigger): a substance that causes an allergic reaction. Common allergens include, but are not limited to:
• eggs
• milk
• mustard
• peanuts
• seafood including fish, shellfish, and crustaceans
• sesame
• soy
• sulphites which are food additives
• tree nuts
• wheat
• latex
• insect stings
Epinephrine: A drug used to treat allergic reactions, particularly anaphylaxis. This drug is often delivered through an auto-injector (e.g. EpiPen or Allerject).
Staff (Employee): Individual employed by the licensee (e.g. program room staff).
Licensee: The individual or corporation named on the licence issued by the Ministry of Education responsible for the operation and management of the child care centre.
Parent: A person having lawful custody of a child or a person who has demonstrated a settled intention to treat a child as a child of his or her family (all references to parent include legal guardians, but will be referred to as “parent” in the policy).
[insert additional definitions]
Regulatory Requirements: Ontario Regulation 137/15
Anaphylactic policy
39.
(1) Every licensee shall ensure that each child care centre it operates and each premises where it oversees the provision of home child care or in-home services has an anaphylactic policy that includes the following:
1. A strategy to reduce the risk of exposure to anaphylactic causative agents.
2. A communication plan for the dissemination of information on life-threatening allergies, including anaphylactic allergies.
3. Development of an individualized plan for each child with an anaphylactic allergy who,
i. receives child care at a child care centre the licensee operates, or
ii. is enrolled with a home child care agency and receives child care at a premises where it oversees the provision of home child care or in-home services.
4. Training on procedures to be followed in the event of a child having an anaphylactic reaction.
(2) The individualized plan referred to in paragraph 3 of subsection (1) shall,
(a) be developed in consultation with a parent of the child and with any regulated health professional who is involved in the child’s health care and who, in the parent’s opinion, should be included in the consultation; and
(b) include a description of the procedures to be followed in the event of an allergic reaction or other medical emergency.
Disclaimer: This document is a sample of a policy and procedures that have been prepared to assist licensees in understanding their obligations under the CCEYA and O. Reg. 137/15. It is the responsibility of the licensee to ensure that the information included in this document is appropriately modified to reflect the individual circumstances and needs of each child care centre it operates.
Please be advised that this document does not constitute legal advice and should not be relied on as such. The information provided in this document does not impact the Ministry’s authority to enforce the CCEYA and its regulations. Ministry staff will continue to enforce such legislation based on the facts as they may find them at the time of any inspection or investigation.
It is the responsibility of the licensee to ensure compliance with all applicable legislation. If the licensee requires assistance with respect to the interpretation of the legislation and its application, the licensee may wish to consult legal counsel.
ChatGPT
Anaphylactic Policy
Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction that can be life-threatening. It requires immediate response and strict avoidance strategies. This policy outlines our commitment to providing a safe environment for children with severe allergies, ensuring their well-being, and complying with Ontario's regulatory requirements.
Policy
Individualized Plans and Emergency Procedures for Children with Life-Threatening/Anaphylactic Allergies:
Prior to enrollment, the supervisor/designate will meet with parents to obtain medical information, including any anaphylactic allergies.
For children with anaphylactic allergies, individualized plans and emergency procedures will be developed in consultation with parents and regulated health professionals.
Plans will include specific symptoms, emergency procedures, monitoring, and avoidance strategies tailored to each child's needs.
Plans will be accessible to staff, students, volunteers, and kept up-to-date.
Strategies to Reduce the Risk of Exposure to Anaphylactic Allergens:
Avoid serving foods with unknown ingredients or 'may contain' warnings in the presence of children with allergies.
Review ingredients of all provided food before serving.
Parents may provide allergen-free snacks or meals if necessary.
Ensure food labels are clear and provided by parents.
Prevent food sharing and supervise meals brought from home.
Avoid craft materials and toys with known allergens.
Educate families and staff about allergies and strategies.
Communication Plan:
Parents will be informed about allergens and allergies through [insert method of communication].
Allergy lists will be posted in cooking areas and playrooms.
Individualized plans will be available wherever children are present.
Caterers and food handlers will be informed about allergies.
The child care centre will report anaphylactic reactions as per policy.
This communication plan will be reviewed for effectiveness.
Training:
[Insert role] will ensure training on recognizing anaphylactic symptoms and administering emergency medication.
All staff, students, and volunteers will receive training.
Training will be repeated annually and on plan updates.
Records of training will be kept, ensuring compliance.
Confidentiality:
Child's allergy information will be treated confidentially and shared only for policy implementation and legal reasons.
Additional Policy Statements:
[Insert any additional statements relevant to allergies]
Procedures:
Circumstance: A child exhibits an anaphylactic reaction to an allergen
Implement the child's individualized plan and emergency procedures.
Contact emergency services and parents/guardians.
Dispose of used epinephrine auto-injector properly.
Follow serious occurrence policies and document the incident.
Circumstance: A child is authorized to carry his/her own emergency allergy medication
Ensure parental authorization is obtained.
Ensure medication is carried by the child and supervised.
Notify supervisor/designate of safety concerns.
Document concerns and actions taken.
Glossary:
Definitions of terms used in the policy.
Regulatory Requirements: Ontario Regulation 137/15
Explanation of how the policy fulfills legal obligations.
Please note that this document serves as a sample policy and procedures. It's important to tailor these to your specific child care center's needs and circumstances. This policy is designed to ensure the safety and well-being of children with anaphylactic allergies while complying with regulatory requirements.