Medication Administration Policy

Rationale: It is important to ensure that all medication (prescription and non-prescription) is administered and stored appropriately and safely. A record of all medicine given to children and who administered it will be kept. This provides evidence that the practice is both authorised and systematic.

Objective: To ensure that children are only given authorised and appropriate medication in the correct dosage and frequency.

Policy and recommended procedure:

• Only staff members holding a current First Aid certificate will be authorised to administer medication. A second staff member will witness that the medication has been administered to the correct child at the correct dose and time. Both staff members should then sign the medication register
• Bright Beginnings will keep a detailed medication register, detailing the medication to be taken by each child. Children will have their own form, which will detail the child’s name, date, name of medication, dose, time to be administered, parent signature, staff signature and witness signature
• Parents must authorise the administering of medication to their child. The medication register must be filled out and signed daily and a staff member will ensure that the correct details are recorded, that the medication has not expired, and that the parent has signed the register
• No child will be given medication unless it is recorded in the medication register and specifies all details and has been signed by the parent, unless in unforeseen circumstances when permission may be given over the phone. Parents/caregivers will sign forms when they collect child
• Staff will ensure medications have original labelling and follow instructions as per ‘prescription’ or ‘non-prescription’ requirements. All medication is kept in the kitchen or where children cannot access it. Medication will go home with parents at the end of each day or after the specified time.
• Non-prescription medication (such as paracetamol, bonjela, etc.) will be given in accordance to the instructions on the label with regard to age and dose, and will be recorded in the same manner as prescription medication. In accordance with the Ministry of Education, Bright Beginnings can not hold or administer ‘centre’ paracetamol at any time. Where a child has a high temperature and no caregiver or emergency contact can be reached, a senior staff member will take the child to Bayfair Doctors until the child can be collected
• Bright Beginnings will include on the enrolment form (signed by the parent) a clause that provides a general authority for staff to administer homeopathic arnica cream, stingoes and calendula cream as part of First Aid treatment to children at the centre
• Where medication is needed for a life-threatening or ongoing condition, the individual child will have an ongoing medication form and, where appropriate, an action plan. This form will be reviewed and signed every three months. The form will consist of the child’s name, date, medication and expiry date, dose and instructions, pre-approved condition, parent signature, signature of staff member administering medication, signature of witness.