Starting nursery School

[anonymous]

I'm looking for advice for when my daughter starts nursery school this fall. She and I are going to the classroom next week for her to see the class and meet the teachers. I am bringing a printout of the CF Foundation's teacher's gude to CF for them to read. I will go over the enzyme's with them for when she has snack time, the importance of washing her hands, and making sure she has a drink handy. Any other advice? I am so used to taking care of all my daughter's needs it's hard to break it down for someone else. BTW, school is 2 days a week for 2 1/2 hours in the am. So all her treatments get done before and after school. She is 3.

Maggie is looking foward to starting school and has no separation issues. She swallows her enzymes whole and is learning that she doesn't need enzymes for juice or fruit. I'm trying to teach her how many enzymes she takes for what food but it changes as she grows so it's hard. Sigh, she's growing up.

Rebecca(Mom to Sammy 7 no CF and Maggie 3 with CF)

 

[JazzysMom]

They tend to do that....grow up. **sigh** Maybe just mention that if she says she has to go to the bathroom that she should be allowed to go then. I dont know if she ever has any real problems, but better safe then sorry. Ummm I think you have the general idea, but its seems forever since my daughter was in pre school so I am sure there is something I could mention....ok I am not much help here. NEXT PERSON>>>

 

[Ratatosk]

DS has been going to a daycare/school since he was 3 months old. I printed off the infant and toddler's guide to nutrition and the enzyme publications from the CFF site. Also the school guide. Basically told them DS is a normal child who he needs enzymes to digest his food and instructions on the enzymes. Also to keep an eye on him when he's outside playing -- offer him water frequently on warmer days. If it's really really hot outside, they usually keep him indoors.

Since DS eats breakfast, lunch and snacks there I've indicated if he starts really really eating well and his poop starts looking "different" to let me know and we'll adjust his enzymes. They also know what kinds of snacks he can have without enzymes -- think that was also in the nutritional info.

We had to get a letter from his doctor indicating that he may need higher calorie snacks -- butter, ice cream, whole milk, cream... So if the licensing inspector comes in and sees those food items in their kitchen they'll have documentation. I've offered to purchase carnation instant breakfast, etc. for them -- they're great about sneaking extra calories in.

We schedule all of DS's medications and treatments so they're done at home and don't interfere with his time at preschool. As far as he's concerned, all of his playmates at school go thru the same routine when they're at home. A friend of mine has a granddaughter wcf and her daughter goes to the daycare at noon and does CPT every day. I guess I'd prefer not to cause a disruption in DS's day or have him treated/looked at differently.

As far as handwashing, germs, sick kids... Kids come out of the bathroom, line up for lunch, come in from outside -- they all wash their hands. If there's a bug going around -- a couple months ago a couple older school age kids had a stomach bug -- they made us all aware of it and they had us wash our kids hands before we left the building just in case they came in contact with any thing.

liza mom to an almost 3 year old

 

[anonymous]

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote><i>Originally posted by: <b>anonymous</b></i>

I'm looking for advice for when my daughter starts nursery school this fall. She and I are going to the classroom next week for her to see the class and meet the teachers. I am bringing a printout of the CF Foundation's teacher's gude to CF for them to read. I will go over the enzyme's with them for when she has snack time, the importance of washing her hands, and making sure she has a drink handy. Any other advice? I am so used to taking care of all my daughter's needs it's hard to break it down for someone else. BTW, school is 2 days a week for 2 1/2 hours in the am. So all her treatments get done before and after school. She is 3.



Maggie is looking foward to starting school and has no separation issues. She swallows her enzymes whole and is learning that she doesn't need enzymes for juice or fruit. I'm trying to teach her how many enzymes she takes for what food but it changes as she grows so it's hard. Sigh, she's growing up.



Rebecca(Mom to Sammy 7 no CF and Maggie 3 with CF)</end quote></div>


Hi Rebecca,

I have a 2 year old daughter with CF and she will be starting Playgroup this September. Just a thought, but what about one of your Community Nurses maybe going along with you to chat to the teachers and explain things as a bit of support for you? Just an idea.

Charlotte

 

[anonymous]

Liza,

Thanks for the input, it helps. Where we live it tends not to get too hot but occasionally there's a hot day so I will rememeber to tell them about the extra fluid thing. Also, my daughter is on bactrim(causes hypersensitivity to sun) so even when it's not super hot she needs to wear sunscreen, which I guess I can put on her before school and send some with her if necessary.

I do not want to make Maggie feel different from her peers, so far I've been pretty successful with that(I think). I want her to be happy, healthy and safe, in school and and home.

Rebecca

 

[anonymous]

Hi Charlotte,

We must have been posting at the same time! We live in a very rural area and to be completely honest, I think I know(actually I know I know) much more about CF than the nurses we deal with on a regular basis. Oh boy that sounds awful. It's a good idea though. Maybe i should have sit down conversations with the nurses we deal with so they'll know where we're coming from too.

Rebecca

 

[Ratatosk]

DS's school also applies sunscreen and bug stuff to the kids before they go out, but just to be on the safe side, I always slather him down with sunblock when I get him dressed in the morning.

Last year DS wouldn't ask for water. I was constantly pushing the fluids and stressing to others to do the same 'cuz he'd just get too busy playing and not want to drink. He had his own waterbottle at school. And a couple of times they were probably a little TOO cautious and I'd pick him up and he'd be hanging out in the baby room while his friends were outside. I leave it up to the director, but again stress that DS is a normal kid, let him play outside and just keep an eye on him.

Also, when we get our CF clinic information a month before our appointment -- we have a form to fill our regarding nutrition that we have to return to the dietician --- but there's also a form included to give to our child's school to fill out in case they have any questions or concerns. Also, I've never gotten a response on how many enzymes he needs to digest the sand from the sandbox. Bleah!

Liza

 

[anonymous]

Just a thought - my son is 9 w cf he is in 3rd grade. At the beginning of the year he had some constipation problems - which he really never did before. Come to find out if he had to go to the bathroom at other times then designated he had to stay in for recess with his head down fro 5-10 min or so. Recess means ALOT to him and he would come home so upset. Being treated like a criminal if you have to go??? so I think that is why he wouldn't ask to go. Needless to say I called the Superintendent and (so mad I was almost crying) I put a halt to that! I told them if he has to go you let him with NO punishments - he wasn't abusing it!! SO every year that will be something I discuss with his teachers. Other than that his enzymes is the only thing we really address.

Mother of 9 yr old boy

 

[anonymous]

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote><i>Originally posted by: <b>Ratatosk</b></i>

DS's school also applies sunscreen and bug stuff to the kids before they go out, but just to be on the safe side, I always slather him down with sunblock when I get him dressed in the morning.



Last year DS wouldn't ask for water. I was constantly pushing the fluids and stressing to others to do the same 'cuz he'd just get too busy playing and not want to drink. He had his own waterbottle at school. And a couple of times they were probably a little TOO cautious and I'd pick him up and he'd be hanging out in the baby room while his friends were outside. I leave it up to the director, but again stress that DS is a normal kid, let him play outside and just keep an eye on him.



Also, when we get our CF clinic information a month before our appointment -- we have a form to fill our regarding nutrition that we have to return to the dietician --- but there's also a form included to give to our child's school to fill out in case they have any questions or concerns. Also, I've never gotten a response on how many enzymes he needs to digest the sand from the sandbox. Bleah!



Liza</end quote></div>

Hi Liza

Hope you don't mind me asking, but does DS have his own waterbottle at school cos he has CF? When my daughter starts Playgroup this September, I was gonna ask if she could use her own cup?

Charlotte<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif" border="0">

 

[Ratatosk]

The older kids get school water bottles because a good number of them are also enrolled in park actvities or swimming lessons. I offered to bring my own, but they just made one available for him. They do bring out a water jug and cups to the playground for all the kids and they make sure the kids line up for water after they wash their hands, but I was concerned about him and his CF 'cuz I'm always warned when we go to clinics -- if ds is going to be outside or participate in sports, make sure he gets water offered to him.

Once you get the the school and check every thing out, I'm sure you'll find out that they're already prepared for most of the things you're asking about. I tend to worry too much and most of the things like water, sunscreen, germs, etc. they already take care of.

Liza