Medication Administration Policy

We believe in supporting the health and wellbeing of all the children within our care. It is our practice to only administer prescribed medication with written approval from the Parents/Caregivers or Doctor, and non-prescribed medication with written approval from the Parent/Caregiver. We will always have at least 1 first aid trained teacher for every 25 children in the centre at any time and it is our policy that medication will only be administered by a first aid trained person.

Category (i) medicines

Definition – a non-prescription preparation (such as arnica cream, antiseptic liquid, insect bite treatment spray etc) that is:

• not ingested;
• used for the ‘first aid’ treatment of minor injuries; and
• provided by the service and kept in the first aid cabinet.

Authority required – a written authority from a parent given at enrolment to the use of specific preparations on their child for the period that they are enrolled. The service must provide (at enrolment, or whenever there is a change) specific information to parents about the Category (i) preparations that will be used.

Our Centre currently promotes the use of: Anthisan insect bite cream, Arnica Cream, Bepanthan Nappy rash barrier cream. These items are listed on the enrolment form and require your signature for us to apply. These medications, as supplied by our centre will be kept in the first aid boxes and expiry dates checked as part of our monthly checking process.

Category (ii) medicines

Definition – a prescription (such as antibiotics, eye/ear drops etc) or non-prescription (such as paracetamol liquid, cough syrup etc) medicine that is:

• used for a specific period of time to treat a specific condition or symptom; and
• provided by a parent for the use of that child only or, in relation to Rongoa Māori (Māori plant medicines), that is prepared by other adults at the service.

Authority required – a written authority from a parent given at the beginning of each day the medicine is administered, detailing what (name of medicine), how (method and dose), and when (time or specific symptoms/circumstances) medicine is to be given.

We have a sign in folder with an individual sheet for each child. We ask that you sign the medication in and hand it to a teacher. No medication is to be left in a child’s bag. The mediation will be returned to the parents at the end of each day. We require a separate sign in for each time/date that your child requires this medication.

Prior to administering the medication staff will check that the label matches what has been signed in as well as the expiry date – if either of these items are inconsistent then the medication will not be administered and a call will be made to the families to let them know.

If the medication is being signed in on a regular basis the team has the right to request a medication certificate from your child’s Doctor.

Category (iii) medicines

Definition – a prescription (such as asthma inhalers, epilepsy medication etc) or non-prescription (such as antihistamine syrup, lanolin cream etc) medicine that is:

• used for the ongoing treatment of a pre-diagnosed condition (such as asthma, epilepsy, allergic reaction, diabetes, eczema etc); and
• provided by a parent for the use of that child only.

Authority required – a written authority from a parent given at enrolment as part of an individual health plan, or whenever there is a change, detailing what (name of medicine), how (method and dose), and when (time or specific symptoms/circumstances) the medicine should be given.

We have an individual medication plan which includes the photo of the child. Teachers are trained to be trained in the usage of the medication and all parties will sign to acknowledge that this training has been provided – training can be given by parent or medical professional.

Preventative medication will be kept in the kitchen in plastic bag with the action plan. At any time that the teachers need to administer this medication they will fill in the child’s individual medication plan which parents will sign on a monthly basis.

Expiry dates of the medications will be kept on the Annual Plan to ensure that we discard and request new medications prior to expiry.

Additional guidelines to cover all medications

• A staff member will sign in any medications with a parent to ensure correct completion of the forms
• When a child becomes unwell whilst under the care of the centre, staff will adhere to the Child Illness Policy and sick and soiled policy
• ECE Qualified and First aid trained staff will check the medication folder regularly throughout the day, parents must have provided the same information as required above, and written up in the medication folder. Particular attention will be made before meal times.
• Medication will only be administered by a First Aid trained person.
• Management will ensure adults who administer medicine to children (other than their own) are
  provided with information and/or training relevant to the task.  Any training required and/or received will be documented either on the Category 3 form of in staff meeting minutes for other forms of medication training