Administering Medicines Policy - Carmel Caterpillars Preschool

Carmel Caterpillars Pre-School

Administering Medicines Policy

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 medicines 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 effects, as well as to give time for the medication to take effect.

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

A member of staff will take responsibility for the correct administration of medication with another member alongside, as a witness. Staff will ensure parent consent forms have been completed, that medicines are stored correctly, and that records are kept according to procedures.

Procedures

Children taking prescribed medication must be well enough to attend the setting.
Only prescribed medication is administered. It must be in-date and prescribed for the current condition.
Children's prescribed 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 medication. The staff receiving the medication must ask the parent to sign a consent form stating the following information. No medication may be given without these details being provided:

Full name of child and date of birth
Name of medication and strength
Who prescribed it
Dosage to be given in the setting
How the medication should be stored, and expiry date.
Signature, printed name of parent, and date.

The administration is recorded accurately each time it is given and is signed by the staff and the witness. The medication book records the following:

Name of child
Name and strength of medication
The date and time of dose
Dose given and method
Signed by the member of staff and the witness

We use the Pre-School Learning Alliance's publication Medication Record for recording administration of Medicine, and comply with the detailed procedures set out in that publication.

Storage of Medicines

All medication is stored safely in a locked cupboard or refrigerated. Staff are 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. Staff check that medication held to administer when required, and on a regular basis, is in date, and returns any out-of-date medication back to the parents.

Any medication stored at Pre-School are kept in their original box, clearly labelled with the child's name. These are kept in a locked cupboard in the kitchen. Out of the way of any child. All staff are informed of this at the time of induction.

If the administration of prescribed medication requires medical knowledge, individual training is provided for the relevant member of staff, by a health professional.
If rectal diazepam is given, another member of staff must be present and co-signs the record book.
No child may self-administer. Where children are capable of understanding when they need medication, for example with asthma, they should 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 needs medication.

Our Pre-School First Aid Officer is: JULIE PRATT

The original of this document was signed on behalf of Carmel Caterpillars Pre-School Committee by the current chairperson.