NEW medication clarification

[sarah707]

DfE clarifies medication requirements -

DfE Clarification on medicines in early years settings | From pregnancy to children aged 5 (http://www.foundationyears.org.uk/2016/10/dfe-clarification-on-medicines-in-early-years-settings/)

Note prescription AND non prescription medication is referred to AND it clearly says parents should not be expected to get medication from a doctor if it can be bought from a chemist!!

It also refers to an updated (May 2016) copy of 'Guidance on Infection Control' which now includes 'other childcare settings' and will be included in the revised Eyfs -

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/522337/Guidance_on_infection_control_in_schools.pdf

:D

[Dragonfly]

Thank you very much.

[gef918]

Interesting read.
It says that gloves and aprons must be worn when changing nappies. If it's linked in the eyfs, I guess this will become statutory. I normally only use gloves, where can I get aprons?

[loocyloo]

I don't wear aprons, and I only wear gloves for a dirty nappy.

I buy my gloves online, I should think you can buy disposable aprons the same way.


only once, in 14 years of childminding, have I ever needed to change any item of my clothing after changing a nappy ! ( and that was after changing a little boys nappy .... and unless I was in a onesie type apron, I would still have needed to change my clothes! )

[Dragonfly]

Aprons- really 😷Think I'll buy these also- masks

[julie w]

re medicines just to clarify. If a child suddenly gets a high temperature could I decide if calpol was needed. I have had a few children that have had febrile convulsions due to a high temperature and have needed immediate paracetamol. Could I still give it if I hadn't got written permission and I was using my own judgement? Thank you

[FussyElmo]

re medicines just to clarify. If a child suddenly gets a high temperature could I decide if calpol was needed. I have had a few children that have had febrile convulsions due to a high temperature and have needed immediate paracetamol. Could I still give it if I hadn't got written permission and I was using my own judgement? Thank you

No you can't make the decision to give medication a parent has to give you permission.

[bunyip]

No you can't make the decision to give medication a parent has to give you permission.

What if a parent has already given permission on a previous occasion to use that particular medication for that particular purpose?

I recall the last of Ofsted's "clarifications" (which usually just muddy the waters :p) said we didn't have to get written consent every time if we used a medication for something they'd previously signed for; we just had to record the dose, time, etc. then get a signature at the end of the day to acknowledge that we'd informed them.

[FussyElmo]

What if a parent has already given permission on a previous occasion to use that particular medication for that particular purpose?

I recall the last of Ofsted's "clarifications" (which usually just muddy the waters :p) said we didn't have to get written consent every time if we used a medication for something they'd previously signed for; we just had to record the dose, time, etc. then get a signature at the end of the day to acknowledge that we'd informed them.

I would always say cover your back. What if an medicine was changed and said child was now allergic if it transpires you didn't get permission whose fault would it be?
Long term illnesses etc I would have a care plan in place signed by the parents.

In case of febrile convulsions I would have advance written permission to give calpol but that would be in my care plan. In other cases such as any other childhood illnesses I would always get permission first

[bunyip]

I would always say cover your back. What if an medicine was changed and said child was now allergic if it transpires you didn't get permission whose fault would it be?
Long term illnesses etc I would have a care plan in place signed by the parents.

In case of febrile convulsions I would have advance written permission to give calpol but that would be in my care plan. In other cases such as any other childhood illnesses I would always get permission first

Yes, I agree.

If I have previous consent in writing and I need to use the same medication for the same reason, I always 'phone the mum to check before giving a dose. That's just for the easy-going mums. The 'tricky' ones have to give written consent every time.

Btw, if they're writing clear rules on exclusion into the new EYFS, can we expect to see schools being obliged to be as rigorous as we are?

I'm sick (pardon the pun) of telling mums their child is excluded for 48 hours after D&V only for the mum to retort, "no - it's up to 24 hours: school told me."