Article 24
Children have the right to the best health care possible
Guideline Document
Bridge of Allan P.S. Nursery
THE ADMINISTRATION OF MEDICATION GUIDELINE
Rationale
Children may, at some time, require medication in the nursery. For many this will be
short-term, perhaps finishing a course of medication. Other children have medical
conditions such as asthma or diabetes that if not properly managed could limit their
access to education. Some children have conditions that also require emergency
treatment e.g. severe allergic conditions (anaphylaxis) or epilepsy. Children with
such conditions are regarded as having health care needs. Most children with
health care needs are able to attend nursery regularly and, with some support from
the nursery team, can take part in most normal activities. A positive response by
the nursery to a child’s health care needs, will not only benefit the child directly,
but can also positively influence the attitude of the whole nursery environment.
From time to time staff members will be asked by parents/carers to arrange for
their children to be given medicine during the nursery session. While the nursery
team will be willing to co-operate in any matter which will support the child's health
and welfare, it is necessary to ensure that where such requests are received
appropriate arrangements are made to safeguard the interest of both staff and
children. A decision on the administration of medicine will be taken by the
Headteacher or designated member of staff, based on what is manageable in
nursery. The support offered to families has to be flexible and the child's needs
must come first.
Bridge of Allan P.S nursery follow, where possible, the appropriate procedures
recommended by Care Inspectorate in their publication: Management of medication
in day care of children and child minding services, 2014, as well as Stirling Council
guidelines on the administration of medication. At Bridge of Allan P.S nursery we
also take cognisance of the UN convention on the Rights of the Child. Article 24
stipulates that children have the right to the best health care possible. The
following procedures have been produced to assist in safeguarding the interests of
staff and children. Should a child need medical attention while at nursery,
procedures, known by all staff, will be put in motion.
Aims

To safeguard the rights and promote the health and welfare of children

To provide guidance and reassurance to staff who are required to administer
medication.

To assure parents/carers that staff are knowledgeable about the
administration of medication and that their individual concerns are taken into
account.

To protect children from discrimination, and ensure inclusion for all.
Principles
1.
Staff will be aware of the "Guidelines for the Administration of Medication”
and the procedures to be followed.
2.
Staff will be aware of pupils with specific medical conditions, e.g. peanut
allergies, asthma (through the Child’s Plan) and ensure that protocols and
health plans are in place.
3.
Staff will be aware of the procedures to follow when asked to administer
medication. (Ref. Procedures for the Administration of Medication)
4.
Staff will, on a termly basis, check the contents of the nursery medical
cabinet, maintaining an up to date record of all medication stored.
5.
Staff will act "in loco parentis" during the time the nursery is open.
6.
Staff will record and notify parents of any medication administered.
Procedures for the Administration of Medication
Before Administration:
 Medication should always be supplied to the nursery in its original container and
box clearly labelled with the child’s name.

When medication is supplied to the nursery, staff must check: the dispensed
and expiry dates, the medication is for a current condition and, if the medicine
has not been dispensed recently, it is still appropriate for use.

Where possible, staff should always read and retain the information leaflet
supplied with the medicine.

Parents/carers must complete the child’s ‘Administration of Medication’ record
with a staff member before any medication can be administered in the nursery.

Staff must ask if any medication has been given to the child prior to arriving at
the nursery.

Staff should not give the first dose of a new medicine to a child. Parents should
have already given at least one dose to ensure that the child does not have an
adverse reaction to the medication.

In the possible event of a child spitting out or refusing medication, staff must
ensure that they record what the parent/carer would like to happen.

Each individual child’s medication should be kept separate and stored in an
individual container clearly labelled with the child’s name and date of birth.

Medication should be stored in a locked cupboard which is out of reach of
children, in an area that is below 25°C. The ‘Medication Stored’ record sheet
must be updated when a medication is added or removed from the cupboard.

It may not be suitable for emergency medicines like inhalers to be locked away
as these need to be readily available and accessible to staff.

Some medication will need to be stored in a fridge. It can be kept in a plastic
labelled container within a domestic fridge.
During Administration:
 Staff must check the information provided on the child’s ‘Administration of
Medication’ record.

Where possible, two members of staff should be present when medication is
administered.

Staff must update the child’s ‘Administration of Medication’ record indicating
the time of administration, any reasons for not administering the medication and
signatures of staff present.

Medicine spoons and oral syringes should be cleaned after use and stored with
the child’s medication. Adaptors for inhalers like ‘spacers’ should be cleaned as
described in the product information.
After Administration:
 When the parent/carer collects their child from nursery, a staff member must
share updated information on medication administered during the session.

A parent/carer’s signature is required to acknowledge the shared information.

Medication no longer needed to treat the condition it was prescribed or
purchased for, or which is out of date, should be returned to the parent/carer.
Footnote
1. It is essential for all staff to know which children require medication, where the
medication is stored, and how to access it.
2. Consent for medication should be reviewed at least every 3 months for an
ongoing medical condition.
3. A fever, as a general rule in children, is a temperature over 37.5 °C.
4. Consent to administer each medication should be time limited depending on the
condition. For example: seven days when a course of antibiotics is for seven
days, until 2 weeks before an emergency medication’s expiry date.
Useful Contacts
Local Health Centre
:
01786 833210
Health Visitor
:
Gail Wintersgill – 01786 835710
S.C. Health and Safety Officer
:
Nick Sabo - 01786 833288
07717544683
Forth Valley Royal Hospital
:
01324 566000
Stirling Community Hospital
:
01786 434000
Educational Psychologist
:
Mairi Duncan – 01786 237588
Speech and Language
:
Lydia Butler - 01786 434078
Bridge of Allan Police Station
:
01786 832222
Diabetes Clinic
:
01324 566928
Some of the statements and wording in this document have been taken from ‘Management
of medication in day care of children and child minding services’ (2014), Dundee: Care
Inspectorate.
Guidelines Reviewed and updated– November 2015
Guidelines to be reviewed –November 2017
(Example)
ADMINISTRATION OF MEDICATION
Name of Child: Edward Smith
By signing as an approved signatory I confirm that I have authority to consent to this child receiving medication. I understand that I need
to provide this medication in the bottle/packaging it was purchased/dispensed and clearly labelled with my child’s name and instructions on
dosage allowed. I will advise a member of the nursery team, when dropping off my child, if I have already given my child any medication.
Date/
Approved
Signature
Medication
(Name, form, quantity
received, administration,
dosage, storage
instructions, expiry date,
last administered)
Strength
Example
28.08.15
Calpol liquid form, 500ml
bottle half full. Use syringe
provided to insert 10 ml fluid
into mouth
Store in cool, dry place
Expiry: 11.10.15
10ml
Duration of
Treatment
3 days
maximum or
until notified
by parent
Reason for
Administration/
Symptoms
Time
Looking pale
Complaining of
sore head
Clammy skin
11.30
a.m.
Time
given
Signature and
name of
Attendants
(two
required)
N/A
Mrs E White
Reason not
administered
Refused and
then spit out
Approved
Signature
ADMINISTRATION OF MEDICATION
Name of Child:
By signing as an approved signatory I confirm that I have authority to consent to this child receiving medication. I understand that I need
to provide this medication in the bottle/packaging it was purchased/dispensed and clearly labelled with my child’s name and instructions on
dosage allowed. I will advise a member of the nursery team, when dropping off my child, if I have already given my child any medication.
Date/
Approved
Signature
Medication
(Name, form, quantity
received, administration,
dosage, storage
instructions, expiry date,
last administered)
Strength
Duration
of
Treatment
Reason for
Administration/
Symptoms
Time
Time
given
Signature and
name of
Attendants
(two
required)
Reason not
administered
Approved
Signature
MEDICATION STORED
Date
Received
Medication
(Name, form, quantity
received)
Expiry
Date
Child
Member of
staff
responsible
Date
Returned