First Aid
Standard 7 of the new childcare regulations deals with Health. It states the registered person promotes the good health of children and takes positive steps to prevent the spread of infection and appropriate measures when they are ill. This standard deals with hygiene, animals, sandpits, food handling, medicine, first aid, sick children and smoking. In this article we are going to deal with the issues surrounding medicine, first aid and sick children.
Standard 7.8 Medicine
The childminder does not administer any medicine or other treatment to children unless the parent has discussed its use and given prior written permission. This forms part of the contract with parents. If medicine is to be given, the childminder ensures that:
- medicines are stored in their original containers, clearly labeled and inaccessible to children;
- medicines are not usually administered unless they have been prescribed for that child by a doctor;
- a childminder caring for a child with a specific condition on a long term basis makes sure that they have a thorough understanding of the medical condition and the medication (if any) that they are required to administer;
- written records are kept of medicines administered to children and the parent signs the record book to acknowledge the entry;
- if the administration of any prescribed medication requires technical/medical knowledge then individual training is provided for the childminder from a qualified health professional. Training is specific to the individual child concerned.
The childminder should be informed of any medicine prescribed by the child’s doctor and be given written permission to administer the medicine if such administration is required. Written permission will be required each time medicine is administered. The NCMA produces an Accident/ Incident and Medication Record book, which is ideal for keeping accurate records.
Standard 7.9 First Aid
There is a first aid box, the contents of which are checked frequently and replaced as necessary. This is kept in an accessible place out of the reach of children.
For information on what to put in your first aid box visit our article, First Aid Kit.
Standard 7.10 First Aid
Written parental permission is requested, at the time of the placement, to the seeking of any necessary emergency medical advice or treatment in the future.
Standard 7.11 First Aid
A record is maintained, signed by a parent, of any accidents.
If these occur whilst the child is in the childminders care parents will be informed and an entry in the accident book will be completed which will require signature. Where a child is delivered ‘damaged’ parents should notify the childminder and an entry will be made in the accident/incident book to be counter-signed by the parent. These records are a statutory requirement and are there to protect the children from any danger of abuse. They are open to inspection by your local Social Services Department or Ofsted.
Standard 7.12 Sick Children
The childminder has a policy about the exclusion of children who are ill or infectious which is discussed with parents. This includes a procedure for contacting parents or another adult designated by the parent if a child becomes ill whilst in the childminder's care.
Parents should inform the childminder if their child has been ill within the last twenty four hours before a contracted period. Childminders do not normally undertake the care of a sick child. However, depending on circumstances: nature of illness, other children in their care etc., it may be possible. The decision whether or not to accept a sick child for care is the childminders. Under no circumstance can a child with a notifiable infectious disease be accepted because of the risk of infecting other children or childminder. Parents should inform their childminder of any symptoms of ill - health shown by their child. If the child becomes ill while in the childminders care, they will contact the parent and, according to the severity of the illness, may ask them to take the child home. For a chart of exclusion periods please click here.
