Giving a child medicine at nursery looks like a two-minute job. In practice it rests on a chain of checks: a clear policy, written consent from the parent, safe storage, a careful check before the dose, an accurate record and a same-day word with the parent. This course takes your team through each link, so every dose in your setting is given the same safe way, whoever is on shift.
Why administration of medicines training matters
Most medicine incidents in early years settings come from gaps in the system around the dose: consent not checked, a record not completed, a bottle left in a bag on a peg. For a child with anaphylaxis, asthma or epilepsy, a locked cupboard with the key in the office can be the difference that matters.
The EYFS requires providers to have and implement a policy and procedures for administering medicines, with staff appropriately trained and the parent’s written permission obtained before any medicine is given. Medicines must not usually be given unless prescribed by a doctor, dentist, nurse or pharmacist, or with the parent’s prior written permission. A written record must be kept each time, and parents informed. Ofsted will expect to see it working in practice.
What’s in the course
- The EYFS requirements and your policyThe two gateways for giving a medicine, the aspirin rule, and what a strong medicines policy contains.
- Parental consent and recordsWritten consent for each and every medicine, what the form must capture, and the checks before a first dose.
- Safe storage, handling and disposalWhere medicines go from drop-off to collection, emergency medicines within fast reach, and safe disposal.
- The six rights of administrationRight child, medicine, dose, time, route and the right to refuse, plus refusals, spits and errors.
- Record-keeping and auditingWhat to record for every dose, informing parents the same day, and audits that spot patterns.
- Emergency medicinesIndividual healthcare plans, auto-injectors, inhalers and epilepsy medication, and when to call 999.
- Assessment10 questions. Pass mark 80%. Resit as many times as you need.
What you’ll learn
- The two gateways for giving any medicine: prescribed for that child by a doctor, dentist, nurse or pharmacist, or the parent’s prior written permission
- Why a medicine containing aspirin is only ever given if a doctor has prescribed it for that child
- What a consent form must record: the child’s name, the medicine, the dose, the time and method, and how long it should be given, plus the time of the last dose at home
- Why medicines must arrive in their original container, labelled with the child’s name and the prescriber’s or pharmacist’s instructions
- How to store emergency medicines out of children’s reach but never out of staff’s reach, including on outings and fire drills
- The six rights check before every dose, and why you start again from the top if you are interrupted
- What to do when a child refuses or spits out a dose, or a mistake is made: never top up, seek advice from the pharmacy, GP or NHS 111, and tell the parent
- Why you always call 999 after using an adrenaline auto-injector, even if the child seems better
Who this course is for
- Practitioners and key persons who give, witness or record medicines
- Managers and room leaders who write the medicines policy and run the audits
- Staff caring for a child with an individual healthcare plan or emergency medicine
- Childminders who agree to give medicines
How it works
- OnlineStudy on any device and pick up where you left off.
- 6 short lessonsAbout 1 hour in total.
- 10-question assessmentPass mark 80%. Resit as many times as you need.
- CertificateIssued when you pass. NFAQ accredited.
Training your team
A medicines policy only protects children if every practitioner applies it the same way, so this course works best when the whole team takes it. Choose the number of learners at checkout, with group rates from 3 learners, or get it as part of the Training Portal for £5 per learner per month. It pairs well with Anaphylaxis and Recognising the Seriously Ill Child.
Frequently asked questions
Can we give a medicine that has not been prescribed?
Only if your policy allows it and the parent has given prior written permission for that specific medicine. Some settings give named over-the-counter medicines on this basis, while others only give prescribed medicines. Both approaches can be compliant, as long as everyone applies the policy consistently.
Does one consent form cover all of a child’s medicines?
No. Written consent is needed for each and every medicine, and a general line in registration paperwork does not cover it. Renew the consent whenever the medicine, the dose or the instructions change.
Is reading the leaflet enough to give an emergency medicine?
No. The EYFS requires training where giving a medicine needs medical or technical knowledge, such as adrenaline auto-injectors, asthma inhalers or epilepsy medication. Staff should be shown how to use the specific device and practise until they are confident. This course covers the principles and prepares staff for that practical training.
What should we do if a child spits out their medicine?
Do not give more to make up for it, because you cannot know how much went in. Record what happened, inform the parent the same day and seek advice from the pharmacy, GP or NHS 111 on whether the dose can be repeated.
What happens if I don’t pass the assessment?
You can resit it as many times as you need until you pass. Your certificate is issued as soon as you reach the 80% pass mark.
Will this help at Ofsted?
Ofsted does not approve training providers, and the certificate is evidence that training was completed. The course helps your team show an inspector how any dose can be traced from written consent, through administration and witness signatures, to the parent being informed the same day.
