Medication policy and procedures
This guidance and policy is in line with The Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage, Managing Medicines in Schools and Early Years Settings, Department for Education (DfE).
Management and Staff will treat all medical information as confidential. Parents/carers will be encouraged to ask the child’s doctor to prescribe medication which can be administered outside the settings hours wherever possible. The first 48 hours, medication must be given at home ensuring the child is monitored in case of a reaction to the prescribed medication. Steroid creams for eczema are usually prescribed for twice daily application; these should be applied at home.
Parents/carers will be required to inform staff of any allergy that their child may have and provide the required medication or equipment. Nursery will consult with the nursery educator and parents if children have epilepsy, allergies or other medical needs providing the nursery with a care plan for their child. Please see Asthma policy for further information.
Parents/carers will be required to complete an Allergy Alert Card with the support of the setting staff and Health Visitor, Specialist Nurse and/or Nurse Educator as appropriate.
The Allergy Alert Card will provide details of:-
· Child’s name/ picture of the child
· Date of Birth
· Emergency Treatment
· Location of Emergency Kit
· Emergency Contact Numbers
· Signed consent from parent/carer
Parents/carers will be asked to complete an admission form giving full details of their child’s condition, regular medication, emergency contact numbers, family G.P. and any relevant hospital details. If antihistamine is administered the parent/carer will be contacted to take the child home to monitor.
A list of named staff that is able and willing to administer medication is kept in the main nursery. Please provide the necessary medicine spoon or oral syringe.
1. Medication cannot be given to any child unless we have WRITTEN permission from the Parent/Carer in advance. Please ensure parents/carers have signed Consent Form. Verbal instructions are not acceptable.
2. Medication will only be given if prescribed by a doctor. If your child requires continuous treatment of medication could you please seek a letter from your doctor, confirming this? Creams and lotions may be applied at the discretion of the nursery manager in line with this guidance but only with written consent from parents/carers.
3. Medication cannot be given if the Parent’s wishes differ from the instructions on the medication. Staff will not add medication to food or drinks.
4. When giving medication, please make sure there is another member of staff with you to witness you administering it to the child.
5. The medication sheet must be filled in, in full each time medication is given, giving the following information:
· full name of child/dob/Group
· full name of medication or cream
· amount of medication given/cream applied
· date given
· time medication was given/cream applied
· Name of staff & staff signatures (x2)
· Name of Parent/Carer & parent’s signature
6. Make sure the parent/carer signs the medicine sheet at the end of the day.
The above information will be checked half termly by the senior. All parents are responsible for ensuring their child’s medication is in date.
Staff will never force children who refuse to take medication. Parents and carers will be notified as soon as possible
This policy was revised on May 2025 by Nursery Manager & Deputy Manager Next review date: September 2027
