What to share, what to ask, and how to feel confident your child is safe.

Starting childcare is a big milestone — and if your child has a food allergy or intolerance, it can also feel overwhelming. The good news? With the right information and a clear plan, centres can support your child safely, confidently and calmly every single day.

This guide walks you through exactly what to tell your childcare centre about your child’s allergy or intolerance, what documents you’ll need, and the questions parents often forget to ask (but really should).

Whether your child has a diagnosed food allergy, suspected intolerance, or a digestive sensitivity you’re still exploring, strong communication with your childcare service is the foundation of safe, positive mealtimes.

What Your Childcare Centre Needs to Know About Your Child’s Allergy or Intolerance

Childcare teams can only keep your child safe if they have clear, complete and up-to-date information. Here’s what to share — in writing — at enrollment or as soon as the allergy/intolerance is identified.

1. Your Child’s Diagnosis

Tell the centre:

• The exact allergen(s) or trigger foods
  
• Severity of the reaction
  
• Whether the allergy is IgE-mediated (higher risk of anaphylaxis)
  
• Whether intolerance symptoms are digestive, behavioural or skin-related
  

If your child has not been medically diagnosed yet but you’ve noticed consistent symptoms, still discuss this with the centre — they can support monitoring until your appointment.

2. A Current Allergy Action Plan

For allergies, centres require a medical action plan signed by a GP or allergist. This should include:

• Symptoms to watch for
  
• What to do for mild/moderate reactions
  
• Emergency steps in case of anaphylaxis
  
• EpiPen instructions
  

Your centre needs the latest version each year or whenever updated by your doctor.

3. What Symptoms Look Like for YOUR Child

Every child reacts a little differently. Tell educators if your child typically experiences:

• Hives or red patches
  
• Vomiting
  
• Swelling
  
• Behavioural changes (clinginess, irritability)
  
• Digestive discomfort or bloating
  
• Eczema flare-ups
  
• Wheezing or coughing
  

The more specific your description, the faster staff can respond.

4. Foods to Avoid — Including Hidden Ingredients

List:

• Obvious foods (e.g., milk, egg, wheat, nuts)
  
• Hidden sources (e.g., milk solids, gluten thickeners, egg in baked goods)
  
• Brand preferences if you rely on specific safe products
  

Clarity reduces mistakes.

5. Approved Safe Alternatives

If your child has substitutes they tolerate well, let the centre know.

Examples:

• “Can tolerate plant-based yoghurt but not soy yoghurt.”
  
• “Lactose-free milk only.”
  
• “Gluten-free pasta is preferred; it reacts to wheat-based pasta.”
  

This helps centres serve consistent, comfortable meals for your child.

Questions Parents Should Ask Their Childcare Centre

These questions give you insight into how well the centre manages allergies and dietaries.

1. How are allergy meals labelled and delivered?

Look for systems like:

• Colour coding
  
• Child’s name printed clearly
  
• Separate plating and delivery
  

2. How do you prevent cross-contamination in the kitchen?

Centres should be able to explain their step-by-step process confidently.

3. Who is trained to recognise and respond to allergic reactions?

Ideally: all educators, all room staff, all kitchen staff.

4. Where are EpiPens and action plans kept?

They should be:

• Accessible
  
• Clearly labelled
  
• Checked regularly
  

5. How often are dietary records updated?

You want yearly reviews — and immediate updates when needs change.

Sharing Your Child’s Intolerance: What’s Different?

While intolerances are not life-threatening, they still matter.

Tell your centre:

• What symptoms look like (e.g., bloating, reflux, restlessness)
  
• Foods that consistently trigger discomfort
  
• Foods your child tolerates well
  
• Whether you are following advice from a GP or dietitian
  

The centre may adjust:

• Portion sizes
  
• Substitutions
  
• Meal frequency
  
• Snack options
  

Clear communication leads to better comfort and wellbeing for your child.

When to Update Your Childcare Centre About Changes

Notify your centre immediately if:

• Your child has a new diagnosis
  
• Symptoms worsen
  
• You change brands or substitute products
  
• Your child outgrows an allergy (with medical clearance only)
  
• You’re trialling a new food under supervision
  

Never assume the centre will know — even small changes can matter.

How Wellbeing Food Co Supports Children With Allergies & Intolerances

We make dietary management easier for families and childcare teams by providing:

• Like-for-like allergy-safe alternatives
  
• Strict allergen protocols in our kitchen
  
• Clear meal labelling educators can trust
  
• Consistent menus so children feel included
  
• Support for families navigating new diagnoses
  

We work with childcare centres every day to create safer, calmer, happier mealtimes for children with dietary needs.

Ready to Feel Confident About Your Child’s Meals in Childcare?

We specialise in allergy-safe catering and support childcare centres across Australia.

If you’d like your centre to have safer, simpler, more inclusive meals for children with allergies and intolerances:

Enquire or book a discovery call with our team today.

We’re here to make mealtimes safer — together.