Medication & Oral Health

Medication Administration

EEC has regulations requiring Educators to have a policy regarding the administration of medication
to children in care. As a licensed Family Child Care Educator, I am required to take medication
administration training.  The following guidelines are common to all programs that are licensed by EEC:


Prescription Medication:  
- Prescription medication must be brought to the program in the original container and include
the child’s name, the name of the medication, the dosage, the number of times per day and the
number of days the medication is to be administered. This prescription label will be accepted as
the written authorization of the physician.
- The program will not administer any medication contrary to the directions on the label unless
so authorized by written order of the child’s physician.
- The parent must fill out the Authorization for Medication Form before the medication can be
administered.


Non-Prescription Medication
- The program needs written parental authorization to administer oral non-prescription medication.
The parent must fill out the Authorization for Medication form, which allows the Educator to
administer the non-prescription medication. The statement must be renewed on a weekly basis.
- In the case of unanticipated non-prescription medication that is used to treat mild symptoms, the
program must still have written parental authorization, however it must be renewed annually.
- The Educator will make every attempt to contact the parent prior to the child receiving the non-
prescription medication unless the child needs the medication urgently or when contacting the
parent would delay appropriate care unreasonably.


Topical Ointments and Sprays
- Topical ointments and sprays, such as petroleum jelly, sunscreen, diaper rash ointment and insect
repellent, will be administered to the child with written parental permission. The signed statement
from the parent will be valid for one year and include a list of topical non-prescription medication.
- When the topical ointments and sprays are applied to wounds, rashes, or broken skin, the Educator
will follow the written procedure for non-prescription medication which includes the written order
of the physician, which is valid for a year, and the Authorization for Medication form signed by the
parent.


All Medications
- The first dose must be administered by the parent at home.
- All medications must be given to the Educator directly by the parent.
- All medications will be stored out of reach of children. All medications that are considered controlled
substances must be locked and kept out of reach of children.
- The Educator will be responsible for the administration of medication.
- The program will maintain and written record of administration of any medication (excluding topical
ointments and sprays applied to unbroken skin) which will include the child’s name, the time and
date of each administration, the dose, the name of the person administering the medication. This
completed record will become part of the child’s file.
- All unused medication will be returned to the parent if possible, or disposed of in accordance with
the Department of Public Health guidelines.



Oral Health


Proper oral health begins at home and I will be reinforcing good oral health practices within your child’s day.
If your child is in care for more than 4 hours per day or he/she will be receiving at least one meal while in care,
I am required to assist your child with tooth brushing at the program. Tooth brushing equipment will be stored
in a safe and sanitary manner at the program. Supplies will be provided by GFC. A form can be provided if
you’d prefer to opt out.

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