Policy statement

While it is not our policy to care for sick children, who should be at home until they are well enough to return to the setting, we will agree to administer medication as part of maintaining their health and well-being or when they are recovering from an illness.

In many cases, it is possible for children’s GP’s 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 setting.  If a child has not had a medication before, it is advised 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 mediation to take effect.

These procedures are written in line with current guidance in ‘Managing Medicines in Schools and Early Years Settings; the manager is responsible for ensuring all staff understand and follow these procedures.

We ensure that parent consent forms have been completed, that medicines are stored correctly and that records are kept according to procedures.

Procedures

  • Children taking prescribed or unprescribed medication must be well enough to attend the setting.
  • Prescribed and unprescribed medication can be administered.  It must be in-date and prescribed for the current condition.
  • Children’s medicines are stored in their original containers, are clearly labelled and are inaccessible to the children.
  • Parents give prior written permission for the administration of any medication giving what the medicine is for, the dosage to be given and how to administer the medicine. The parent must sign the consent form.
  • The administration is recorded accurately each time it is given and is signed by staff.  Parents sign the record book to acknowledge the administration of a medicine.

Storage of medicines

  • All medication is stored safely, marked and out of the reach of children.
  • The supervisor on duty is responsible for ensuring medicine is handed back at the end of the day to the parent.
  • For some conditions, medication may be kept in the setting. The supervisor is responsible to make sure any out of date medication is given back to the parent.
  • If the administration of prescribed medication requires medical knowledge, individual training is provided for the relevant member of staff by a health professional.
  • No child can self-administer.  Where children are capable of understanding when they need medication, for example asthma, they must be encouraged to tell a member of staff what they need.  However this does not replace staff vigilance in knowing and responding when a child requires medication.

Children who have long term medical conditions and who may require on-going medication

  • A risk assessment will be carried out for each child with long term medical conditions that require on-going medication.  This is the responsibility of the manger alongside the supervisor on duty. 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 staffs are part of the risk assessment.
  • The risk assessment includes vigorous activities and any other playgroup 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 role and what information must be shared with other staff who care for the child.
  • The health care plan should include the 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 ect.
  • Parents receive a copy of the health care plan and each contributor, including the parent, signs it.

Managing medicine on trips and outings

  • If children are going on outings, staff accompanying the children must be fully informed about the child’s needs and/or medication and a risk assessment must be done.
  • Medication for a child is taken in a sealed plastic box clearly labelled with the child’s name; name of the medication, inside the box is a copy of the consent form and a record of when it has been given.
  • At the end of the outing parents must sign the record of when and what dosage the child was given.
  • If the child is taken to hospital the medication must be taken in a sealed box clearly labelled with the child’s name, name of the medication, inside the box is a copy of the consent form and a record of when is has been given.
  • As a precaution, children should not eat when travelling in vehicles.
  • This procedure is read alongside the outings procedure.

Published: 21st September 2024
Review: September 2025
© Jack in the Box Playgroup Limited trading as Jack in the Box Preschool.