EYFS Medication Policy

Staff should ensure that they have sufficient information about the medical condition of any child with long-term medical needs. Ask parents about the medicines that their child needs to take and provide details of any changes to the prescription or the support required.

Administering medicines

 

If the administration of prescription medicines requires technical/medical knowledge then individual training should be provided for staff from Sister Durrant. Training should be specific to the individual child concerned.

Medicines should not usually be administered unless they have been prescribed for that child by a doctor, dentist, nurse or pharmacist. Written permission for each and every medicine must be obtained from parents.

Non-prescription medication e.g. pain and fever relief or teething gel may be administered, but only with the prior written consent of the parent and only when there is a health reason to do so.

Parents bringing medication for staff to administer should be in its original packaging showing the prescription label with the name of the medication, the dose and the frequency of administration. The amount of medication received is also recorded here.

Pre-Prep staff have a medication chart for each child which the class teacher keeps. Medication Sheets are signed by the teacher and the parent on receipt of medication. The administration of medication is recorded and signed by the teacher on the reverse of the sheet. 

A child under 16 should never be given medicines containing aspirin unless it has been prescribed for that child by a doctor.

Medicines should be stored strictly in accordance with product instructions and in the original container in which dispensed. They should include prescriber’s instructions for administration. Medication should be kept in a locked cupboard inaccessible to children in and in line with our Policy above.

Specific legal requirements

Early Years/ Pre-Prep School Illnesses and injuries

Miss D. Smith, Mrs J West, Mrs C Arrowsmith, Mrs A Tuer, Mrs R Richardson, Mrs L Ecuyer and Miss A. Gonzalez have all completed the 2 day Paediatric First Aid course.

Ofsted and Suffolk SCB will be notified by Sister Durrant of any serious accident, illness or injury to, or death of, any child whilst in their care, and of the action taken in respect of it. Notification must be made as soon as is reasonably practicable, but in any event within 14 days of the incident occurring.

First aid boxes with appropriate content to meet the needs of children are located in the Nursery and in each year group classroom. A more substantial first aid box is located in the Class 4 classroom on the ground floor. Staff must inform Sister of items used so they can be replaced. 

A record of accidents and first aid treatment, and the administration of medications, is kept by each form teacher and passed on the the next class as children progress through the school.  Parents of any child who has had an accident or injuries will be given details of the accident and of any first aid treatment or medication that was given.

Early Years Children who are ill or infectious

School will inform parents of infections and the procedure for children who are ill or infectious.

Children who are ill or infectious should be excluded from school and under the care of parents until their infectious period has passed and they are well enough to return to school.

Animals on the premises are safe to be in the proximity of children and do not pose a health risk.

If we have reason to believe that any child is suffering from a notifiable disease identified as such in the Public Health (Infection Diseases) Regulations 1988, Sister Durrant will inform Ofsted, who will be informed of any actions taken by the school.

We actively promote the good health of the children, take necessary steps to prevent the spread of infection, and take appropriate action when they are ill.

Specific legal

Food and drink

Children provided with meals, snacks and drinks:  The  catering department ensure that these are healthy, balanced and nutritious. The catering department are responsible for the preparation and handling of food. They are trained and certified in food handling and the preparation of food.

School obtain, record and act on information from parents about a child’s dietary needs. Special diets are catered for. Parents may choose to provide their own food which should be handed over to the catering department for safe keeping.

Fresh drinking water is available at all times.

Ofsted will be notified by Sister Durrant of any food poisoning affecting two or more children looked after on the premises. Notification will be made as soon as is reasonably practicable, but

in any event within 14 days of the incident occurring.

We are aware of our  responsibilities under food hygiene legislation including registration with the relevant Local Authority Environmental Health Department.

Updated November 2013