It is important for adults attending playgroup to work together to maintain a safe place for all children.  

Young children don’t understand how to avoid allergens, therefore adults in the community need to eliminate the risks and secure a safe environment for all at playgroup.  

Allergy  occurs when a person’s immune system reacts to substances (allergens) in the environment that are harmless for most people.  Allergens can include pollen, mould, dust mites, animal dander or saliva, insect stings or bites, medication, food, and latex. Allergic disease also includes conditions such as eczema, hay fever, allergic conjunctivitis, and allergic asthma.  The most severe form of allergic reaction is anaphylaxis.   

Anaphylaxis affects either a person’s airway and how they breathe, and/or the way blood is moved around the body (blood pressure). It is potentially life threatening and must always be treated as a medical emergency.  Find out more here: Anaphylaxis – Allergy & Anaphylaxis Australia 

Food allergies 

A food allergy is an immune system response that the body mistakenly believes is harmful.  The most common allergens are cow’s milk (dairy), egg, peanut, tree nuts, sesame, fish, crustacean, mollusc, wheat and soy.  There are more than 170 foods known to have triggered allergic reactions.  Allergic reactions usually occur quickly – within minutes (although they can take up to 2 hours). Other reactions to foods may be delayed.  How to recognise an allergic reaction – Prevent Allergies 

In Australia, food allergy is common and estimated to affect around 1 in 10 babies, 1 in 20 teens and 1 in 50 adults. 

Image: https:// allergyfacts.org.au/signs-and-symptoms-of-an-allergic-reaction/ 

Protecting children from allergens at playgroups

When you know that children have food allergies it is best that the whole playgroup put some of the following steps in place to protect everyone:  

• Ask everyone to bring in a piece of uncut fruit.  Cut the fruit on a clean board while at playgroup and provide a platter of fruit to share with tongs to avoid cross-contamination.  A scrap bowl is recommended too so that you can teach children to discard skin etc. into the scrap bowl rather than back onto the plate of fruit.  Plain rice crackers might also be provided.  

• Encourage families to wash their hands upon entering the playgroup in case they are unknowingly carrying allergens from home. 
• Avoid using food containers that have carried allergens such as egg cartons and cereal boxes etc. as part of art or craft experiences.  
• Find out from families if anyone has allergies in your group and inform everyone who attends. This could be done by displaying the information where everyone signs in for the session to raise awareness of potential risks for those families, and reminding people from time to time, as needed.