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Original poster

Giving Medicine - can I ask what your nursery's procedure is?

20 replies

looneytune · 30/03/2007 16:02

Hi, I'm a childminder and we have certain rules about giving medicine to mindees. We basically have to have a signature at drop off time if the parent thinks their child may need medicine. The problem I've had most with this is when babies are teething, it can flare up in the childminders care and parents wouldn't have signed a form first.

I was talking to my best friend the other day and she said her nursery make you sign a form when you start with them, giving permission to give medicine when required. They then just call to check if needed.

Can I ask what your nursery does?

TIA

OP posts:
henrybaba · 30/03/2007 18:59

Yep, my nursery gave me the opportunity to sign when I registered to say that they had my permission to give calpol when needed. Any other meedicine I would need to provide and give them instruction as to when to administer.
Hope that helps

Taylormamaloveslindtbunnies · 30/03/2007 19:01

yes - same as Henrybaba for the calpol, although my nursery just call me first to let me know they are going to give him a dose and why - when he has antibitoics etc we have to sign a form saying when he has to have medicine, and where it needs to be stored.

ThePrisoner · 30/03/2007 21:19

Ooooooh looneytune ... you gonna get cross with Ofsted now??!

Original poster
looneytune · 31/03/2007 10:07

Too right I am TP - I just don't get it???!!!! Surely the most important thing is a poorly child gets their medicine when required (and parents ok with that), NOT that you have to leave them because a parent hasn't signed a form that morning!!!

Keep the replies coming, I want to see how many nurseries let you do just the one form when you start!

Thanks

OP posts:
Nemo2007 · 31/03/2007 10:15

Ds playgroup made us sign a consent form for giving medicines such as calpol and will phone if they have to give it to double check. If it is something else like antibiotics etc then we have to sign a form on the day.

Original poster
looneytune · 31/03/2007 10:26

I'd LOVE to be able to follow these procedures. I have no problem in a form being filled in daily for other medicine as I usually only have to give calpol/medised.

TP, you still around? If so, what do you think about all this?

Thanks everyone for posting on here, it really helps to see how many people's nursery does the same

OP posts:
sophiewd · 31/03/2007 10:27

Consent from when started.

saralou100 · 31/03/2007 10:29

when i registered ds's at nursery i signed a form to say what i was happy for them to give and the dose i want them to have. they then phone me before administering it.

if they need any other meds i have to sign a form for that medication giving my permission.

the other way just seems silly (sorry) but like you say, you may have to leave them till their parents can come! silly!!

Original poster
looneytune · 31/03/2007 10:34

Yes, the other way IS silly and guess what [shhhh]........I don't follow it!! I have a toddler who's been with me since was 6 months old and guess how many times she's screamed in pain with teething or has had a terrible runny nose!! I end up emailing mum at work asking if ok, then give medicine. They work in the city and could take up to 2 hours to get home. STUPID!! Ofsted would think I was a BAD childminder for this but I personally don't care about paperwork, I care about the poor child!! What made me decide to give medicine anyway was when I realised all this paperwork is only to cover MY back. Well, I'd rather take the risk!!!

Sorry - can you tell I get annoyed with OFSTED about paperwork!!

OP posts:
saralou100 · 31/03/2007 11:30

but why is their different rules?? ofstead govern both don't they??

good on you for rebelling i say!!!

SoupDreggon · 31/03/2007 11:32

I think that's exactly what DSs nursery did - you signed a consent form for paracetamol and they called to ask if it was OK to give them. I think you have to phone to check to ensure the parent knows what dose they've had and so that you know they've not already had some.

Original poster
looneytune · 31/03/2007 11:37

I know, this is why I'm so !!! We are both childcarers and regulated by Ofsted so why do childminders have different rules???!!!

I'm very much a childminder who sticks to the rules but WITHIN REASON. Imo, this is not fair on the children or parents, especially if I have their child from 7.45-6.30 every weekday, it's more likely that I'm going to know they might need it!

Well, I would like to hear Ofsted explain why they have different rules!!!

OP posts:
princesscc · 31/03/2007 11:45

princess whispers {I don't follow the rules either!} When we sign contracts, they also sign for going out in my car, haivng pictures taken and giving pain relief. Obviously, if the child is on antibiotics for anything, we sign separately.

On the other hand, my dd's school don't give ANYTHING. She suffers with coldsores and if she has one and needs some cream, I have to take it up there and administer it myself. Same with pain relief & allergy medicine/cream

Original poster
looneytune · 31/03/2007 12:12

LOL - wonder how many childminders do this too! Well, it's crazy otherwise isn't it! Have you ever shown Ofsted your form for pain relief?

OP posts:
thePA · 31/03/2007 12:18

my nursery is the same as the others, one form when started etc....

ds has been to 3 nurseries in all and they were all the same

ThePrisoner · 01/04/2007 23:00

The trouble is, if we decide to argue with our Ofsted inspector at our inspection, we'll just get downgraded!

I mind for some parents who, if it was a real emergency, I would be able to contact. However, they would not be able to "just pop over" to medicate their child, and particularly if the child is not necessarily ill enough to be sent home (teething or bit of a cold, for instance). On a day-to-day basis, they trust me implicitly to care for their child - which means deciding if she needs something if she becomes unwell (high temperature). I have signed permission forms and individual letters giving permission, but don't think Ofsted will love me.

We should be able to do the same as a nursery. I've had children from when they've been a few months old and through to school - I get to know the children very very well. I think I know when they're a bit poorly!

TwinklemEGGan · 01/04/2007 23:03

I have signed to give the nursery permission to give one dose of Calpol if needed. They will then ring me if they have needed to do this. They will give other medicines on my instructions if they've been prescribed.

ThePrisoner · 01/04/2007 23:09

We are not supposed to give Calpol even with phone or text permission. The parents have to have signed permission that morning or come over to give medicine themselves.

I am so tempted to make parents sign stuff on a daily basis. What a lovely waste of my paper and their time.

lemonaid · 01/04/2007 23:22

Our nursery get you to sign one form when starting (or not, obviously, if you don't want to) to agreement for them to give Calpol, but they'll only give it if calling for you to come and pick the child up.

Other medications they will give only if prescribed by a doctor, and they want the doctor's details and a parental signature every day.

Mind you, under some kind of new Ofsted rules (apparently) they now need a signature from us at drop-off time just to drop him off at all.

Original poster
looneytune · 02/04/2007 08:40

TP - I know what you are saying. Ofsted are actually encouraging us not to get ANYTHING signed aren't they!!!

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