Gilden Woods Early Care & Preschool - Holland

R 400.8330 · R 400.8330 Food services and nutrition generally. (3) Beverages and food must be appropriate for the child's individual nutritional requirements, developmental stages, and special dietary needs, including cultural preferences.

On 02/24/2022, I received a complaint alleging that Child A, who has a severe egg allergy, was transitioning to a new classroom. Due to alleged lack of communication, Child A's allergy information was not known by staff members in the new classroom. When Child A's Father picked her up on 02/10/2022, he was questioned about her rashes/eczema, which are a result of exposure to egg. When discussing the issue with Child A's Father, a staff member stated that she did not know Child A has an allergy. Child A was fed a muffin on 02/10/2022, exacerbating her allergy and eczema. Child A's Mother stated that Child A (female, 19 months) has been in care since she was 12 weeks old and was moved to the 18-24-month-old classroom on 02/14/2022. Child A has an egg allergy that the center has been aware of. After she was moved, she had a rash that was getting worse, which is a symptom of exposure to her allergen. Child A's Mother planned to talk to the staff, but before she had an 2 opportunity, on 02/18/2022, Child A's Father was asked to sign a wellness report at pickup. This was regarding a bruise on Child A's forehead and rashes on her legs. According to Child A's Father, when he mentioned that the rash could be a result of exposure to eggs, the staff member stated, "I didn't know she had an egg allergy." Child A's condition is on the center's allergy list and the only thing that needs to be done to avoid the rash is to avoid eggs. When Child A's Mother reviewed Child A's daily sheet (Applegram) detailing her meals, it was noted that she was given a muffin for a snack, which contains egg. Child A's Mother contacted the center, who said that the Applegram was inaccurate and that she was not given a muffin. Child A has not been in care for the last six days and her rashes are gone. Child A's Mother denied any other or previous concerns with the center or the level of care her children receive there. At an onsite inspection, I interviewed program director/licensee designee, Ms. Jamie Nink. Ms. Nink has been the program director since 01/24/2022 and was employed at the center prior to that date. She reported that, on 02/18/2022, Child A was served a banana instead of the banana bread the rest of the children received, but that staff neglected to note that change in Child A's Applegram. The issue was that the center did not accurately document what Child A ate, not that Child A was given a known allergen. Ms. Nink identified three staff members who were in the classroom at snack time. Child A had recently been moved into her current classroom, but some of the same staff members had cared for her in her previous classroom. In addition, the center staff reviews all allergies at staff meetings, so all staff are aware of Child A's allergy. Ms. Nink identified that Child A's Mother sent an email to her and to the corporate office with a screenshot of the Applegram and saying that staff told Child A's Father that they were not aware of her egg allergy. Child A has eczema from her egg allergy, "more times than not" and it is "sometimes worse than others." Child A was diagnosed with her egg allergy in August 2021 when she started eating solids, and staff have known about it since. Ms. Nink denied knowing about the wellness report. Ms. Melody James stated she has been the assistant director for almost three years. She reported that, on 02/18/2022, the kitchen staff put a banana in the classroom's snack tote, and it was given to Child A at snack time. She reported that, a week prior to this event, staff asked her to come look at Child A's eczema because she was scratching herself to the point of bleeding. Ms. James and the staff present discussed the fact that she has an egg allergy and questioned if she had been exposed to eggs, resulting in her flare-up. Ms. James reported that the rash was "pretty bad", and that staff were upset because it was bleeding. Ms. James is familiar with eczema and told them that some people have it so bad that scratch themse

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R 400.8330 · R 400.8330 Food services and nutrition generally. (4) A center shall ensure a child who has special dietary needs is provided with snacks and meals in accordance with the child's needs and with the instructions of the child's parent or licensed health care provider.

Child A was served a snack in accordance with her allergic needs.

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R 400.8330 · R 400.8330 Food services and nutrition generally. (10) Menus must be planned in advance, dated, and posted in a place visible to parents. Food substitutions must be noted on the menus the day the substitution occurs.

Ms. Nink did not ensure that all staff members not food substitutions, leading Child A's parents to believe she had been fed a known allergen.

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