💊Medication Policy
This policy was adopted on 30 August 2022 and is reviewed annually
Policy statement
At Natural Nurture we promote the good health of children attending nursery and take necessary steps to prevent the spread of infection (see sickness and illness and infection control policies). If a child requires medicine we will obtain information about the child’s needs for this, and will ensure this information is kept up to date.
We follow strict guidelines when dealing with medication of any kind in the nursery and these are set out below.
In many cases, it is possible for a child’s GP to prescribe medicine that can be taken at home in the morning and evening. As far as possible, administering medicines will only be done where it would be detrimental to the child’s health if not given in the nursery.
If a child has not had a medication before, it is our policy that the parent keeps the child at home for the first 48 hours to ensure no adverse effect, as well as to give time for the medication to take effect. This statement also applies to all children on antibiotics.
Medication prescribed by a doctor, dentist, nurse or pharmacist
Prescription medicine will only be given when prescribed by the above and for the person named on the bottle for the dosage stated
Medicines must be in their original containers with their instructions printed in English
Those with parental responsibility for any child requiring prescription medication should hand over the medication to the most appropriate member of staff who will then note the details of the administration on the appropriate form and another member of staff will check these details
Those with parental responsibility must give prior written permission for the administration of each and every medication. However, we will accept written permission once for a whole course of medication or for the ongoing use of a particular medication under the following circumstances:
The written permission is only acceptable for that brand name of medication and cannot be used for similar types of medication, e.g. if the course of antibiotics changes, a new form will need to be completed
The dosage on the written permission is the only dosage that will be administered. We will not give a different dose unless a new form is completed
Parents must notify us IMMEDIATELY if the child’s circumstances change, e.g. a dose has been given at home, or a change in strength/dose needs to be given.
The nursery will not administer a dosage that exceeds the recommended dose on the instructions unless accompanied by written instructions from a relevant health professional such as a letter from a doctor or dentist
The parent must be asked when the child has last been given the medication before coming to nursery; and the staff member must record this information on the medication form. Similarly, when the child is picked up, the parent or guardian must be given precise details of the times and dosage given throughout the day. The parent’s signature must be obtained at both times
At the time of administering the medicine, a senior member of staff will ask the child to take the medicine, or offer it in a manner acceptable to the child at the prescribed time and in the prescribed form. (It is important to note that staff working with children are not legally obliged to administer medication)
If the child refuses to take the appropriate medication, then a note will be made on the form
Where medication is “essential” or may have side effects, discussion with the parent will take place to establish the appropriate response.
Non-prescription medication (these will not usually be administrated)
The nursery will not administer any non-prescription medication containing aspirin
The nursery will only administer non-prescription medication for a short initial period, dependant on the medication or the condition of the child. After this time medical attention should be sought
If the nursery feels the child would benefit from medical attention rather than non-prescription medication, we reserve the right to refuse nursery care until the child is seen by a medical practitioner
If a child needs liquid paracetamol or similar medication during their time at nursery, such medication will be treated as prescription medication with the *onus being on the parent to provide the medicine
On registration, parents will be asked if they would like to fill out a medication form to consent to their child being given a specific type of liquid paracetamol or anti-histamine in particular circumstances such as an increase in the child’s temperature or a wasp or bee sting. This form will state the dose to be given, the circumstances in which this can be given e.g. the temperature increase of their child, the specific brand name or type of non-prescription medication and a signed statement to say that this may be administered in an emergency if the nursery CANNOT contact the parent
An emergency nursery supply of fever relief (e.g. Calpol) and anti-histamines (e.g. Piriton) will be stored on site. This will be checked at regular intervals by the designated trained first aider to make sure that it complies with any instructions for storage and is still in date
If a child does exhibit the symptoms for which consent has been given to give non-prescription medication during the day, the nursery will make every attempt to contact the child’s parents. Where parents cannot be contacted then the nursery manager will take the decision as to whether the child is safe to have this medication based on the time the child has been in the nursery, the circumstances surrounding the need for this medication and the medical history of the child on their registration form.
Giving non-prescription medication will be a last resort and the nursery staff will use other methods first to try and alleviate the symptoms (where appropriate). The child will be closely monitored until the parents collect the child
For any non-prescription cream for skin conditions e.g. Sudocrem, prior written permission must be obtained from the parent and the onus is on the parent to provide the cream which should be clearly labelled with the child’s name
If any child is brought to the nursery in a condition in which he/she may require medication sometime during the day, the manager will decide if the child is fit to be left at the nursery. If the child is staying, the parent must be asked if any kind of medication has already been given, at what time and in what dosage and this must be stated on the medication form
As with any kind of medication, staff will ensure that the parent is informed of any non-prescription medicines given to the child whilst at the nursery, together with the times and dosage given
The nursery DOES NOT administer any medication unless prior written consent is given for each and every medicine.
Injections, pessaries, suppositories
As the administration of injections, pessaries and suppositories represents intrusive nursing, we will not administer these without appropriate medical training for every member of staff caring for this child. This training is specific for every child and not generic. The nursery will do all it can to make any reasonable adjustments including working with parents and other professionals to arrange for appropriate health officials to train staff in administering the medication.
Staff medication
All nursery staff have a responsibility to work with children only where they are fit to do so. Staff must not work with children where they are infectious or feel unwell and cannot meet children’s needs. This includes circumstances where any medication taken affects their ability to care for children, for example, where it makes a person drowsy.
If any staff member believes that their condition, including any condition caused by taking medication, is affecting their ability to care for children they must inform their line manager and seek medical advice. *The nursery manager/person’s line manager/registered provider will decide if a staff member is fit to work, including circumstances where other staff members notice changes in behaviour suggesting a person may be under the influence of medication. This decision will include any medical advice obtained by the individual or from an occupational health assessment.
Where staff may occasionally or regularly need medication, any such medication must be kept in the person’s locker/separate locked container in the staff room or nursery room where staff may need easy access to the medication such as an asthma inhaler. In all cases it must be stored securely out of reach of the children, at all times. It must not be kept in the first aid box and should be labelled with the name of the member of staff.
Storage of medicines
All medication for children must have the child’s name clearly written on the original container and kept in a closed box, which is out of reach of all children.
Emergency medication, such as inhalers and EpiPens, will be within easy reach of staff in case of an immediate need, but will remain out of children’s reach. Any antibiotics requiring refrigeration must be kept in a fridge inaccessible to children.
All medications must be in their original containers, labels must be legible and not tampered with or they will not be given. All prescription medications should have the pharmacist’s details and notes attached to show the dosage needed and the date the prescription was issued. This will all be checked, along with expiry dates, before staff agree to administer medication.
Allergies
If a child has an allergy for which they carry adrenalin injections, a procedure for storing and carrying these medicines is discussed with parents and put in place.
Staff will have training on the signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis and training on how to administer an adrenalin injection.
Parents are responsible for ensuring that any adrenalin pens kept at the nursery are in date and new ones are supplied when the use by date is reached.
Children who have long-term medical conditions and who may require ongoing medication
A risk assessment is carried out for each child with long-term medical conditions that require ongoing medication. This is the responsibility of the Manager alongside the Key Person. Other medical or social care personnel may need to be involved in the risk assessment.
Parents will also contribute to a risk assessment. They should be shown around the setting, understand the routines and activities and point out anything which they think may be a risk factor for their child.
For some medical conditions key staff will need to have training in a basic understanding of the condition as well as how the medication is to be administered correctly. The training needs for staff is part of the risk assessment.
The risk assessment includes vigorous activities and any other nursery activity that may give cause for concern regarding an individual child’s health needs.
The risk assessment includes arrangements for taking medicines on outings and the child’s GP’s advice is sought if necessary, where there are concerns.
A health care plan for the child is drawn up with the parent; outlining the Key Person’s role, and information must be shared with other staff who care for the child.
The health care plan should include measures to be taken in an emergency.
The health care plan is reviewed every six months or more if necessary. This includes reviewing the medication, e.g. changes to the medication or the dosage, any side effects noted etc.
Parents receive a copy of the health care plan and each contributor, including the parent, signs it.
Medication Form
Legal framework
Further guidance
‘Supporting Pupils at School with Medical Conditions’
Other useful Pre-school Learning Alliance publications
Register and Outings Record (2018)
Last updated