Medication Policy

Note: This policy is in-line with our Accident and Injury Policy, First Aid Policy and Sickness Exclusion policy, please see the named policies above for more information 

This policy promotes the good health of the children in our care, in line with the Early Years Foundation Stage safeguarding and welfare requirements.

Children who are taking medication may attend nursery provided they are not suffering from an infectious illness, are not displaying any signs or symptoms of illness and they are well enough to fully participate in nursery activities; this is at the Manager’s discretion. Parents/Carers may consult our Sickness Exclusion Policy for more details. 

Medication will only be given to a child if it has been prescribed to them by their doctor, nurse, dentist or a pharmacist. We do not supply any type of medicines and will only administer medication supplied by the parent/carer for their individual child. In accordance with Ofsted’s guidance we will only give medication when asked to do so by a parent/carer and if there is an accepted health reason to do so. 

Parents/Carers must give signed permission for staff to administer medicine to their child on a daily basis, as required. A member of staff should fill in a medication form with the parent/carer to ensure that they have the necessary information.  

When a parent/carer requests that medication should be given to their child staff should find out:

• Why the child needs the medication
• How and when the medication should be administered
• What dosage should be administered 
• Staff should check all prescribed medication is within its expiry date.
• Medication must be in the original container in which it was dispensed, with legible instructions in English.  

Medication must be given with two staff in attendance and recorded on the appropriate medication form. Both staff members must check the details on the medication form, against the medication being given, and both will sign the form after the medication has been administered. This is to ensure that the correct dosage is given at the correct time to the correct child.  If a parent/carer administers medication in the nursery setting, this must be witnessed and recorded by a member of staff.

All medicines will be stored according to labelled instructions and will be kept securely out of children’s reach. Short term medication will be sent home with the child daily and cannot be left overnight in the nursery. Long term medication can be kept in the nursery for as long as it is required. 

Medication that is to be used on a “when needed” basis (e.g. inhalers, piriton) will have a long-term medication form that parents/carers will fill out and will be signed by staff & parent/carer when it has been administered. Where medication is required to treat a long-term medical condition, a care plan form will be completed by the parent/carer. Long term use of paracetamol, ibuprofen and aspirin will require a supporting letter from the GP confirming the health condition this is required for e.g. febrile convulsions.  The care plan form will be signed by the Manager; however, the child’s keyperson has a duty to check this medication on a regular basis to ensure it is safe for use. 

Training must be sought for any medication that needs specific application (i.e. epi-pen, rectal diazepam) before the setting agrees to administer. Training must be provided for staff from a qualified health professional which is to be arranged by the parent/carer prior to the child attending nursery. No staff member will be put in a position of having to administer a medication without the adequate training, and a child may be refused admission if the correct medication has not been supplied by the parent/carer. 

Prescription medication can only be given to that particular child; we cannot administer to any other child, including a sibling, any medication that is prescribed for another named child.  

We cannot administer both paracetamol and ibuprofen at the same dosage time; these must be given at separate times according to the instructions. We cannot give any aspirin-based medicines to children unless these are prescribed.  

If a child refuses to take medicine, staff will make every attempt to encourage them but cannot force them. In this instance the parent/carer will be contacted immediately to inform them.

Parents/Carers must sign the medication form when they collect their child from nursery. This will confirm that they know that the medication has been administered. 

Un-prescribed “external medication” (e.g. creams, eye drops, nasal sprays) are permitted for use when required, but staff will still ask for parents/carers to document these. 

All staff and parents/carers must be aware that if a child needs to be given paracetamol or ibuprofen (prescribed or not) they are too ill to be at nursery.  Children who have been given such medication at home will be admitted but will be sent home at the first sign of a return of any symptom. A parent/carer may be allowed to administer these drugs up to once a day if staff agree that the child needs it for teething pains.

Key Policies are featured on our website. All other policies are available at any time from the nursery manager.

REVIEWED ON: January 2024

REVIEWED BY:  C.Cummins