Administering Medicines to Children

Policy and Procedure

Policy

If children are unwell such as with a fever, sickness or pain they need to stay home to recover – see sickness policy. However, there are circumstances when we are able to administer medicine to children. This could be if your child is on long term medication, if they have recovered from illness but still need to finish a course of treatment such as antibiotics, or for mild or non-contagious conditions in which the child is well and comfortable in themselves and able to attend preschool. To ensure administering of medicines is managed safely and in accordance with the Early Years Foundation Stage parents must give written permission prior to medicines being given. Acorns staff can only administer medication that is prescribed for that particular child by a doctor, dentist, nurse, or pharmacist (medicines containing aspirin should only be given if prescribed by a doctor). Staff must attend training if the administration of medicine requires medical or technical knowledge.

Procedure

• Forms for parents are given out in parent packs at time of starting to inform staff of any existing medical conditions of children and need for regular medicine when starting Acorns.

• Parent forms are given to fill out if a child is prescribed short term medication, stating dose and timings that it should be given.

• Staff will keep a written record each time a medicine is administered to a child and inform the child’s parents and/or carers on the same day the medicine has been taken, or as soon as reasonably practicable. Parents sign that they have received this information.

• All medicines are kept out of reach from children (except EpiPens and inhalers which are kept out of reach but accessible) either in the fridge or in a locked cupboard depending on storage instructions and are handed back to parents at the end of each day.

Policy Reviewed January 2025