PRESCRIBED MEDICATION
We can administer medications throughout the day if we have received confirmation in
writing from the child’s parent / carer of the dosage, name of medication, and what the
medicine is for. Please note that we CANNOT administer prescribed medications to children
unless we have seen the label. The label must have the child’s name, expiry date and dosage
written on it. We also cannot administer medications unless they are in the original bottle –
if they have been decanted into something else, then we will not be able to give it to them
at Bumbles. We also cannot administer expired medications.
For antibiotics, the recommendation is that these doses are spread throughout the course
of the day – so we would not expect to administer more than 2 doses in Bumbles – first dose
at home, second dose mid morning, third dose mid afternoon and 4th dose at home.
However some medications do state that they must be taken with food – if each dosage
must be taken with a meal, and they get their breakfast at Bumbles – then we can
administer it when they arrive. (Breakfast is served from 7.45am – 8.45am).
If your child attends after school and they need medication in the afternoon – please let us
know and you could drop it to their setting directly or you could drop it to the nursery in the
morning and we will transport it to the setting when we go to collect them.
Please note that we cannot give children multivitamin tablets – these should be given before
they come to Bumbles.
ADMINISTRATION OF CALPOL & NUROFEN
CALPOL – If a child is unwell and requires calpol for more than 3 days, we cannot administer
any more. The Calpol bottle states “Do not give this medication to your child for more than
3 days without speaking to your doctor / pharmacist.” Therefore, if your child is still
presenting as unwell after 3 days then we would recommend that they see a doctor as we
will not be able to administer more calpol at Bumbles. We also cannot administer doses that
would take the child above 4 doses in a 24 hour period, as indicated on the box.
NUROFEN – If a child is unwell and requires nurofen for more than 3 days, we cannot
administer any more. The nurofen bottle states “If symptoms persist after 3 days or
worsen, consult your doctor.” Therefore, if your child is still presenting as unwell after 3
days then we would recommend that they see a doctor as we will not be able to administer
more nurofen at Bumbles. We also cannot administer doses that would take the child above
2 doses in a 24 hour period, as indicated on the box.
TEETHING
Where a child presents with pain due to suspected teething, we will often contact the
parent to ask if we can administer an appropriate pain relief – e.g. teething powders,
teething gel or similar. Where it appears that your child is presenting in more pain, or if their
temperature spikes due to teething – then we may administer calpol or nurofen with
permission – but we will also take into account the information above and not exceed the
dosages as indicated above.
Please note that we cannot administer pain relief unless a child is presenting with symptoms of pain during their time at Bumbles.
HOW WE MANAGE CHILDREN’S TEMPERATURES @ BUMBLES:
- For temperatures up to 38°C give CALPOL (according to dosage on the bottle)
- For temperatures over 38°C give NUROFEN (according to dosage on the bottle)
Best practice is to speak with a parent / carer before administering medicine and check their
preference for which type of medicine.
After administering CALPOL, check temp after 1 hour. If temp still raised, check again after a
further 30 minutes. If no change or still up, nurofen may be required.
After administering NUROFEN, check temp after 1 hour. Depending on high the temp is
after this hour, it may be possible to wait for a further 15 minutes before checking again.
However, if the temperature is very high after the hour, it may be necessary to administer
calpol.
If a child’s temp is very high, CALPOL and NUROFEN can be given together (as per
instructions on the bottles re dosages). If after a dose of both, the temp is still raised, a child
will need to go home as we cannot administer any more medicine. The parent(s) /
caregiver(s) should try to get a doctor’s appointment or visit out of hours.
APPROPRIATE FIRST AID FOR COOLING A CHILD:
- Ensure the child is not cooled too quickly.
- Keep a light layer of clothes or a light blanket on arms / legs as these are often too
cool. - Give cool drinks of water.
- Sponge with a damp, tepid i.e. not too cold face cloth.
- Make sure the room is not too cool, close windows (not usually required in summer)
so there are no draughts. - Monitor and record temperatures.