Medicines Policy

Parents have prime responsibility for their child’s health and they should provide my setting with all information about their child’s medical condition, along with details from their GP or paediatrician.

I aim to ensure that any medicine given to the child while in my care is administered safely, appropriately and in the child’s best interests.

I will follow the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) 2026 and work in partnership with parents/carers and, where appropriate, health professionals.

I will ensure that I implement an effective procedure to meet the individual needs of a child when administering medicines. In order to achieve this, I will do the following:

Consent

I always get written permission from the child’s parent/carer before administering any medicine.
The permission clearly state the child’s name, the name of the medicine, dosage, method of administration and frequency.
Medicines will only be administered according to the instructions on the medicine label or those provided by a healthcare professional.
I do not administer medicine that has been prescribed for another child or person.
Parents/carers must inform me of any changes to their child’s medication or medical needs. Records will be updated regularly.

Prescription Medication

Medicines should only be brought into setting when essential, that is where it would be detrimental your child’s health if the medicine were not administered during the setting ‘day’.

Prescription medication will only be administered when:

It has been prescribed for the individual child by a doctor, dentist, nurse or pharmacist.
It is in its original container/packaging as dispensed by a pharmacist and include the issuers instructions for administration, and is clearly labelled. I will never accept medicines that have been taken out of the container/packaging as originally dispensed nor make changes to dosages on parental instructions.
The label shows the child’s name and dosage instructions.
The medicine is within its expiry date.
Appropriate written parental consent has been provided.

I store all medicines safely and strictly in accordance with the product instructions and in the original container in which it was dispensed. All medicines are stored at the correct temperature. Medicines that need to be stored in the fridge will be stored in an airtight container.

Where appropriate, I may request additional information or training from a healthcare professional before administering specialist medication.

If a child has long-term medical needs, I will ensure that I and any co-workers have sufficient information about the child’s medical condition and will work in partnership with parents and any other health professionals to assist the administration of any prescribed medication and the management of any other health needs such as a gastronomy tube.

I will never administer medicines containing aspirin unless they have been prescribed by a doctor.

Non-Prescription Medication

I will only administer non-prescription medication such as pain and fever relief when there is a clear reason to do so and with previous written parental consent.

I will follow the manufacturer’s instructions and will not exceed the recommended dosage.

It is helpful, where clinically appropriate, if medicines are prescribed in dose frequencies which enable it to be taken outside the setting ‘day’. Parents should ask their child's GP about this. It is noted that medicines that need to be taken three times a day, may be able to be taken in the morning, after setting and at bedtime.

The Medicines Standard of the National Service Framework (NSF) for children recommends that a range of options are explored including:

Issuers consider the use of medicines which need to be administered only once or twice a day (where appropriate) for children so they can be taken at home.

Issuers consider providing two prescriptions, where appropriate and practicable, for a child’s medicine: one for home and one for use in the setting, avoiding the need for repackaging or relabelling of medicines by parents. This also over comes the problem of what to do if the medicine has been forgotten either end of the day.

Controlled Drugs

The supply, possession and administration of some medicines are controlled by the Misuse of Drugs Act and its associated regulations. Some may be prescribed for use by children e.g. Methamphetamine. I will administer a controlled drug to your child when prescribed, in accordance with the issuer's instructions. All controlled drugs will be kept in a locked non-portable container. A record will be kept for audit and safety purposes.

Administration of Medicine

Before giving medicine, I will check: the child’s identity; the name of the medicine; the prescribed/recommended dosage; the expiry date; the time the medicine was last given; the method of administration; that parental consent has been provided.

I will ensure that medicine is administered in accordance with the instructions and that the child is appropriately supervised. If I am unsure about any medication or dosage, I will not administer it until appropriate advice has been obtained.

Recording Medication

Every occasion when medicine is administered will be recorded. The record will include: the child’s name; name of medicine; dosage given; date and time administered; method of administration; signature/initials of the person administering it; any relevant observations; parent/carer acknowledgement where appropriate; parents/carers will be informed when medicine has been administered.

Refusal or Missed Dose

If a child refuses to take their medicines, they will not be forced to do so, but it will be noted in the records and I will follow procedures parents have requested. If a child spits medicine out, vomits immediately after receiving it, or a dose is missed, I will not give another dose unless appropriate advice has been obtained. The incident will be recorded and the parent/carer informed on the same day of the refusal. It will be discussed and records made in the child’s health care plan.

Storage of Medicines

Medicines will be: stored safely and securely; kept out of children’s reach; stored according to the manufacturer’s instructions; refrigerated where required; kept in their original labelled containers.

Changes to Prescription

It is a parent's responsibly to provide details of changes to prescription or support required for their child.

Asthma

If a child needs an inhaler will asked to request their GP to prescribe an extra one to be held in the setting.

I will keep emergency medication, such as an inhaler or adrenaline auto-injector readily accessible to me, but safely away from children.

Emergency Medication

Where a child has a medical condition requiring emergency medication, I will ensure that:

Parents provide clear written instructions.
An individual healthcare/medical plan is in place where appropriate.
Emergency medication is available whenever the child is in my care, including on outings.
I understand when and how the medication should be administered.
I seek emergency medical assistance where required.

In an emergency, I will follow the child’s agreed medical plan and contact the emergency services when necessary.

Children Who Are Unwell

If a child is too unwell to participate comfortably in normal activities, I will contact their parent/carer and ask them to collect the child. I will follow current public-health guidance regarding infectious illnesses and exclusion periods.

Giving medicine will not be used as a way of enabling a child who is too unwell to remain at the setting.

Disposal of Medicines

I will not dispose of medicines.

Parents are responsible for ensuring that date expired medicines are returned to a pharmacy for safe disposal. They should also collect all medicines held if taking a break. All out-of-date or unwanted medicines will be returned to the parent/carer for safe disposal.

I will not dispose of medicines down sinks, toilets or household waste.

Training

If the administration of prescription medicine requires technical/medical knowledge then I will attend training from a qualified health professional, specific to the child.

For specialist medication, such as emergency medication or medication requiring specific techniques, I will seek appropriate training from a healthcare professional.

Confidentiality

Information about a child’s medication and medical needs will be treated confidentially and shared only with those who need the information to safeguard and care for the child appropriately.

Medication Errors

If I make an error when administering medication, I will:

Seek appropriate medical advice immediately.
Contact emergency services if necessary.
Inform the child’s parent/carer as soon as possible.
Record the incident and actions taken.
Review the circumstances to reduce the risk of a similar incident occurring again.