Transporting children with food allergies: ensuring safety, consistency and trust

In early childhood services that provide transport whether for excursions, field trips or daily pick-ups and drop-offs managing food allergies becomes an added responsibility. When children with known allergies board vehicles outside the controlled environment of the centre, risk increases and vigilance must rise.

• Heightened risk during transport: In a moving vehicle, supervision is more challenging, space is constrained, and access to emergency equipment (e.g. epinephrine, antihistamines) may be delayed.
• Accountability under regulatory and duty of care obligations: Services remain responsible for children’s health and safety during all service operations, including off-site transport.
• Trust and reputation: Families entrust services with vulnerable children. Demonstrating consistent, transparent allergy management reinforces confidence.
• Continuity of care: Children with allergies should receive the same level of safety whether inside or outside the centre.

1. Risk assessment & planning before each trip
   • Identify children with documented food allergies and severity (e.g. anaphylaxis risk).
   • Consider route, duration, access to medical support, stop points, communication signal, etc.
   • Determine whether the trip is suitable given allergy risk, or whether extra staff or supports are needed.
   • Plan seating arrangements, separation zones or buffer zones if allergenic foods are present.
2. Clear policy and procedure alignment
   • Ensure transport policies explicitly address children with medical conditions, including food allergies.
   • Integrate allergy‑transport procedures with existing policies (medical conditions, excursions, risk management).
   • Define roles and responsibilities (driver, supervising educator, first‑aid response) during transport.
3. Medication and emergency readiness
   • Carry a child's individual medical management plan, consent, and emergency action plan (e.g. auto‑injector instructions).
   • Ensure epinephrine auto‑injectors, antihistamines, and first aid supplies are accessible, clearly labelled and staff know their location.
   • Train staff on recognising symptoms of allergic reaction in a moving vehicle and on prompt response protocols (stop vehicle, seating, call emergency services).
4. Communication and consent
   • Obtain parental consent specific to transport for children with allergies, including information about snack or food policies during transit.
   • Share trip-specific guidance with parents (e.g. whether children should avoid bringing snacks, whether the service will supply allergen‑safe snacks).
   • Brief all staff involved (drivers, assistants, educators) about child allergy profiles, plans, and triggers, prior to departure.
5. Environment and behaviour management in transit
   • Enforce a no‑eating rule in the vehicle when risk is high (or limit to known safe foods, if essential).
   • Ensure hand hygiene before and after boarding, and carry wipes or sanitiser.
   • Avoid cross-contamination by cleaning surfaces, seat belts, trays or shared areas.
   • Seat children with allergies away from others who may carry allergenic residues (e.g. food in hands).
   • If food is essential during travel, provide only pre‑approved allergen‑safe options, in consultation with families and medical plans.
6. Ongoing reflection and review
   • Document any incidents, near misses or deviations from plan.
   • Debrief staff post-trip to identify what worked, what didn’t, and opportunities to improve.
   • Revisit routes, timings or staffing if patterns of risk are emerging.
   • Update policies, training and staff orientation to reflect lessons learned.

• Policy oversight: Boards or governance committees should review and endorse transport/allergy protocols, ensuring resourcing and accountability.
• Staff recruitment, training and induction: Ensure that any staff assigned to transport roles understand allergy protocols as part of induction and performance.
• Insurance & legal compliance: Confirm that transport and medical protocols align with liability, insurance and regulatory frameworks.
• Family partnership: Engage families in co‑designing transport safety plans and clarify expectations around food, communication and emergency procedures.
• Continuous improvement: Use incident data, audits, feedback and regulatory updates to evolve procedures.