ADMINISTERING MEDICINE POLICY 

for 

THE COLOUR CORNER LTD

If a child attending The Colour Corner Ltd. requires medication of any kind, their parent or carer must complete a Permission to administer medicine form in advance. Staff will not administer any medication without such prior written consent.

Ideally children should take their medication before arriving at the setting. If this is not possible, children will be encouraged to take personal responsibility for their medication, if appropriate. If children carry their own medication (e.g. asthma inhalers), staff will offer to keep the medication safe until it is required. Inhalers must be labelled with the child’s name.

Prescription medication

Staff will normally only administer medication that has been prescribed by a doctor, dentist, nurse or pharmacist. If a medicine contains aspirin we can only administer it if it has been prescribed by a doctor. All prescription medication provided must have the prescription sticker attached which includes the child’s name, the date, the type of medicine and the dosage.

Non-prescription medication

If a child requires a non-prescription medication to be administered, we will consider this on a case by case basis after careful discussion with the parent or carer. We reserve the right to refuse to administer non prescription medication.  Non-prescription medicine does not require a GP prescription. 

Procedure for administering medication

A designated staff member will be responsible for administering medication or for witnessing self-administration by the child. The designated person will record receipt of the medication on a Medication Log, will check that the medication is properly labelled, and will ensure that it is stored securely during the session. 

Before any medication is given, the designated person will:

• Check that written consent has been received
• Take steps to check when the last dosage was given

When the medication has been administered, the designated person must:

• Record all relevant details on the Record of Medication Given form
• Ask the child’s parent or carer to sign the form to acknowledge that the medication has been given.

When the medication is returned to the child’s parent or carer, the designated person will record this on the Medication Log.

If a child refuses to take their medication, staff will not force them to do so. The child’s parent or carer will be notified, and the incident recorded on the Record of Medication Given.

Specialist training

Certain medications require specialist training before use, e.g. Epi Pens. Where specialist training is required, only appropriately trained staff may administer the medication.

Changes to medication

A child’s parent or carer must complete a new Permission to Administer Medication form if there are any changes to a child’s medication (including change of dosage or frequency) and the Medication Log must be updated

Long term conditions

If a child suffers from a long term medical condition the Colour Corner will ask the child’s parents to provide a medical care plan from their doctor, to clarify exactly what the symptoms and treatment are so that we has a clear statement of the child’s medical requirements.

Written in accordance with the Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage (2023): Safeguarding and Welfare Requirements: Health [3.45-3.47]