Little Ozzies Nursery

Medication Policy 

At Little Ozzies Ltd 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 promote the good health of children attending nursery and take necessary steps to prevent the spread of infection (see sickness and illness policy). 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.

In partnership with parents, when dealing with medication of any kind in the nursery, strict guidelines will be followed.

Prescription medication

• Prescription medicine will only be given to the person named on the bottle for the dosage stated
• Medicines must be in their original containers with prescription label.
• Prescribed antibiotics MUST be taken for 48 hours before a child can return to nursery.
• Those with parental responsibility or those acting in loco parentis of a child should allow a member of staff to have sight of the bottle.
• A staff member should note the details of the administration on the appropriate form and should check the details, name, dose, expiry date of medication.
• Those with parental responsibility or those acting in loco parentis must give prior written permission for the administration of each and every medication. We will accept written permission once a week for the ongoing use of a particular medication under the following circumstances:

1. The written permission is only acceptable for that brand name of medication and cannot be used for similar types of medication.
2. 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 along with, proof on medication prescription label.
3. Parents should 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 a doctor’s letter
• The parent must be asked when the child had last been given the medication before coming to nursery; this information will be recorded 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  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
• Wherever possible ask parents to request that GPs prescribe the least number of doses per day, i.e. three X daily, rather than four X daily.

Non-prescription medication

• The nursery will only administer non-prescription medication in the form of barrier and moisturising creams and teething gels, paracetamol and anti-histamines (relating to allergies.) and eye drops for children over the age of two.
• [Updated 01.03.2022] – If your child is poorly and requires regular doses of medication such as paracetamol/ ibuprofen/Calpol, they should be kept at home until they feel better.
• If your child has a temperature a single dose of Calpol will be administered with parental permission. If your child’s temperature does not reduce following medication, you will be asked to collect your child from nursery.
• All other medicines, must be prescribed by a doctor. With the child’s name clearly labelled.
• On registration, parents will be asked if they would like to fill out a medication form for a specific type of liquid paracetamol, which can be given in the case of an increase in the child’s temperature. 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, this may be administered in an emergency.
• If a child does require liquid paracetamol during the day and the 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 liquid paracetamol will be a last resort and the nursery staff will use other methods first to try and reduce a child’s temperature, e.g. remove clothing, fanning, tepid cooling with a wet flannel. The child will be closely monitored until the parents collect the child
• For any non-prescription cream e.g. moisturising creams, the parent should 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
• In the case of medication that may need to be given to a child due to them becoming ill during the day, e.g. liquid paracetamol for temperature reduction, parents will be contacted as soon as possible to ensure all details are correct and that they agree with the dosage being given.

First aid boxes should only contain items permitted by the Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations Act 1981, such as sterile dressing, bandages, and eye pads. No other medical items, such as paracetamol should be kept in the first aid box.

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 Mrs Nicholson and seek medical advice. A member of the SLT 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 their bag locked away in the staff bathroom 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

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 the kitchen fridge (which is labelled, medicine) and is 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 sign in or administer medication.