Administering medication is an important responsibility in nurseries and Early Years settings. From antibiotics and inhalers to emergency medication for allergies or long-term medical conditions, practitioners need to know how to give medication safely and correctly.
But is medication training mandatory in Early Years under the EYFS?
Is Medication Training Mandatory Under the EYFS?
The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) statutory framework requires providers to have policies and procedures in place for administering medicines.
Crucially, the EYFS states that staff must have training where administering medicine requires medical or technical knowledge.
This does not mean that every Early Years practitioner must complete a standalone medication course. However, providers are responsible for ensuring that staff administering medication have the appropriate knowledge and training to do so safely.
Administering Medication Safely in Early Years
Safe medication practice involves much more than simply giving a child their medicine.
Early Years settings need clear procedures covering parental permission, medication instructions, safe storage, administration and record keeping.
Practitioners should understand how to check the correct child, medication, dose, time and method of administration. They should also know what action to take if medication is missed, refused or administered incorrectly.
Where a child requires medication involving specific medical or technical knowledge, additional child-specific training may also be necessary.
Practitioners should also know what action to take if medication is missed, refused or administered incorrectly. Alongside knowledge of medication, appropriate Paediatric First Aid training helps ensure practitioners are prepared to respond when a child becomes unwell or experiences a medical emergency.
Why Medication Training Matters
Even where specific training is not a statutory requirement, medication training for Early Years practitioners can help settings demonstrate safer and more consistent practice.
It gives staff the confidence to understand their responsibilities, follow procedures correctly and recognise when further guidance or specialist training is required.
Medication Training for Early Years Practitioners
Our Medicating Children in Early Years online CPD course has been developed specifically for Early Years professionals.
The course covers safe administration, consent, storage, record keeping, medication errors and practitioners’ responsibilities, helping staff put safe medication procedures into everyday practice.
The course is available through the First Stop Learning Hub, alongside our growing library of Early Years CPD training.
Looking to strengthen medication practice in your setting? Explore our Medicating Children in Early Years training today.
