Article Link: http://exchangepress.com/article/safety-first/5023574/
Early care and education professionals are called upon to have a broad range of knowledge and skills. Parents depend on you to meet their child’s needs in a safe and thoughtful way. When early childhood educators are able to safely give medication to children, attendance improves and parents can go to work knowing their child will receive the care they need.
As a general rule, children’s medication should be given at home whenever possible. Still, there will be times when a child needs to take medication while at your ECE program. You can be prepared for these situations by having clear, written policies for medication administration. Be sure to communicate your policies to parents when they enroll and to staff upon hiring. Careful communication between child care staff, parents, and the health care provider is the foundation for safely giving medication to children in your program.
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Regulations and Other Requirements
The ADA is a federal law that ensures children with special needs, including those who need medication, have the right to fully participate in child care programs. Each state has different child care licensing regulations, so it’s important that you understand the regulations related to medication administration for your ...