NAVIGATING BACK-TO-SCHOOL FOR KIDS WITH FOOD ALLERGIES

Positive affirmation cards for kids with food allergies

As a food allergy mum and the founder of Charlie's Safe Treat Box, I know all too well the mix of emotions that back-to-school season brings. There’s some excitement, of course, but also the heavy weight of anxiety that comes with ensuring our allergy kids are safe and included at school.

If you’re feeling this way, you’re not alone. I’ve been there (honestly, I am still there and navigating high school this year too!), and I want to share some tips and advice to help make this transition smoother for you and your child with food allergies.


Building a Village: The Power of Connection

One of my best decisions as an allergy mum was starting a WhatsApp group a year ago with other allergy parents at Charlie’s school. Over the past year, this group has grown and become a lifeline for a number of allergy families. We share advice, swap tips, share the ups and downs of allergy life and even plan meet-ups like coffee catch-ups and dinners for allergy parents. Knowing there’s a group of people who genuinely understand what you’re going through can make school life feel less isolating and lonely. If your school doesn’t have a group like this yet, I encourage you to take the first step and set one up—it’s been a game-changer for me.

Start Early: Make It Part of Your Annual Routine

Planning for your allergy child’s care at school takes time. Starting early gives you space to gather information, meet with school staff, and prepare your child for a safe and successful year. Each year, revisit your routine as your child grows more independent. Their needs and food allergies may change, but the goal remains the same: ensuring they are safe and included.


Preparing for a Safe School Year

When it comes to food allergies, planning and preparation is everything. Here are some steps that have worked well for our allergy family over the years:

1. Connect with Your Child’s Teachers and Staff

Schedule time with your child’s teacher(s) and other key staff to discuss:

  • Food allergen risk minimisation strategies in the classroom.

  • Managing birthdays, food-based fundraising events, field trips, and substitute teacher protocols.

  • Highlight any places food allergens might be hiding, like art supplies

  • Reporting food allergy bullying or harassment

  • Ask teachers not to use food as a reward in the classroom.K

  • Emergency procedures and the location of your child’s medication.

  • How will substitute teachers be informed about your child’s needs?

  • Communicate your child's allergens and explicitly state what they mean: 
    ie. Milk allergy includes avoiding all items containing dairy products such as milk, butter, yoghurt, cheese, cream, ice cream etc

Some more questions to consider asking your child's teacher include: 

  • Where will students' food be kept?
  • Where will your child eat?
  • Who will clean the lunch table?
  • Who oversees lunchtime and snack time?
  • Who will be responsible for hand washing?
  • Who will train substitute and special-subject teachers to recognise and treat a reaction? 
  • Where will epinephrine be kept, and who should give it if needed?

Building strong relationships ensures everyone is on the same page and aware of your child’s needs.

2. Work with the School to Create a Health Care Plan

Every child with food allergies should have a personalised school health care plan. This document outlines your child’s allergies, symptoms, medications, and emergency procedures. When meeting with the school, bring along your child’s ASCIA Action Plan and discuss:

  • Your child’s allergies and any other health conditions.
  • Their symptoms and ASCIA Anaphylaxis Action Plan.

  • The school’s food allergy management policies.

  • Emergency protocols and where epinephrine will be stored.

  • Staff training on food allergies.

  • Cleaning and handwashing practices.

  • Procedures for ordering a safe meal from the canteen/cafeteria if applicable.

This meeting sets the foundation for a supportive partnership with the school all year.

3. Equip Your Child With Role Playing Allergy Scenarios

It’s never too early to teach your child to manage their allergies. Role-playing allergy scenarios at home can help them practice:

  • Saying no to food that isn’t safe or asking if a food contains allergens
  • Telling someone what they are allergic to and why it is dangerous to them
  • Recognising symptoms of an allergic reaction and communicating it.

  • Asking for help when they feel scared or in danger.

These skills are invaluable and will grow with your child over time.

4. Empower Your Child to Take Responsibility

As your child grows, gradually teach them to:

  • Read food labels and choose safe options.

  • Report bullying or harassment related to their allergies.

  • Speak up about their needs with confidence and clarity.

This empowerment builds their independence and resilience over time.


Stocking Up: The Essentials

Before the first day of school, double-check that you have everything your child needs:

  • Up-to-date ASCIA action plans.

  • Medications like Epipens, antihistamines, and Ventolin 

  • Safe snacks and treats for lunchboxes and classroom celebrations if allowed.

  • Allergy labels for their belongings, including lunch bags, lunch boxes, drink bottles, and medicine bags, i.e. - Charlie: Allergic to dairy, egg, peanuts, tree nuts

  • Safe soap, water wipes, safe hand sanitiser 

If possible, provide medications that won’t expire during the school year. Add a calendar reminder to replace them if needed.


Advocate for Safe Practices at School

Encourage the school to adopt allergy-friendly practices, such as:

  • Educating staff about how children describe allergic reactions (e.g., “My mouth feels funny” or "This tastes spicy").

  • Discouraging food sharing.

  • Promoting handwashing with soap and water (not hand sanitiser).

  • Cleaning lunch tables with disposable wipes instead of sponges.

  • Educating the wider school community about food allergies

These steps create a safer environment for all students with allergies at the school.

Communicate with Other Parents 

Consider writing a friendly email or WhatsApp message to other parents in the class. Explain your child’s allergies, the importance of avoiding cross-contamination, and how they can help keep your child safe. Being transparent, honest, and reasonable can go a long way in fostering understanding. If the school handles this communication, follow up to ensure the message is clear and accurate.

Enlist the help of your child’s teacher to explain to the class what your child’s allergy is, and some of the simple information about food allergy and the warning signs of anaphylaxis (if relevant).

Children with food allergies can worry about what their friends will think. The most important thing to tell your child with food allergy is that they need to remember the friend’s prime concern will be their safety.

Celebrations Without Stress

Birthdays and classroom celebrations can be tricky for allergy families. Charlie's school no longer allows external food to be brought in for birthdays. When they did, I always kept a stash of safe cupcakes in the freezer at home or some of his favourite allergy-friendly sweet treats to quickly drop off at school so Charlie never had to miss out. If your school allows food for celebrations, consider doing the same. It’s a small step that can make a big difference for your child.

Stay Involved Throughout the Year

Regular check-ins with teachers and staff help ensure everything is running smoothly. Encourage open communication and offer to assist with classroom activities or projects or school events involving food to ensure safety and inclusivity.

Encourage the teacher, principal, and nurse to call you with any questions or brainstorm ways to make things safe and inclusive for your child. Let the teacher know he or she can call you anytime to ask questions or check ingredients. Always review the ingredients on any snacks the school may provide, and list approved safe snacks for your child. 


Making It Fun

Turn back-to-school prep into a celebration. Bake a special treat together, like the Choc Mallow balls in our FREE recipe e-book (which freeze well and are the perfect treat for a lunchbox), or let them choose some safe snacks online at Charlie's Safe Treat Box that can be enjoyed at school or after school as a treat to help ease first-day nerves.


A Note to Fellow Allergy Parents

No matter how cooperative your child's school and teacher are, the most essential preparation you can do is with your child with a food allergy. With continual teamwork, education, experience, support and time, your child will become more independent and be able to take more responsibility for their safety at school as they grow up.

Remember, you’re doing an amazing job. By taking these steps, you’re not just keeping your child safe—you will be helping them thrive through the school year.

If you ever need a listening ear or more tips, know we are here. At Charlie’s Safe Treat Box, we’re more than just a business—we’re building a connected community of families who get it. Let’s support each other and make this school year the best one for our allergy kids.


For more tips and allergy-friendly products, visit our website and sign up to receive emails with food allergy-related tips and information. Together, we can navigate this allergy journey safely with confidence and care.

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