You have standards to respect, particularly concerning the administration, labelling and storage of medications.
No medication may be given to a child without the written authorization of the parent and a health care professional authorized by law to prescribe the medication. In the case of prescription medication, the information recorded by the pharmacist on the label is proof of the professional's authorization.
Exceptions
- Acetaminophen (Tempra, Atasol, Tylenol or other house brand names) may be administered and insect repellent may be applied to a child without medical authorization, provided they are done in accordance with the protocol in force.
- Medical authorization is not required to administer saline nasal drops and oral hydration solutions (Pedialyte, Gastrolyte, Lytren, etc.) or to apply diaper rash cream, sunscreen cream, lubricant jelly in a single-dose pack for taking temperature, moisturizing cream, lip balm and calamine lotion to a child. However, the parent's written authorization is mandatory.
The home childcare provider may offer the parent to provide the child with acetaminophen and insect repellent if the parent signs the protocol provided to this effect. Always with the parent's written consent, the provider may supply the following products:
- acetaminophen;
- oral hydration solution;
- calamine lotion;
- diaper rash cream;
- lubricant jelly in single-dose packs; and
- sunscreen cream.
However, saline nasal drops, moisturizing cream and lip balm may not be supplied by the home childcare provider.
The label on the medication container must state the child's name, the name of the medication, the expiry date, the dose and the duration of the treatment.
Child's medication administration sheet
The person who administers a medication must record the information on the child's medication administration sheet, except for sunscreen cream, saline nasal drops, lubricant jelly, moisturizing cream, lip balm and diaper rash cream.
The medication administration sheet must contain the following information:
- the name of the child;
- the name of the parent;
- the name of the medication for which the parent authorizes administration;
- the date and hour of administration;
- the dose administered;
- the name and signature of the person who administered the medication.
Storage of medications
Medications must be clearly labelled and stored in a storage space out of the reach of children and away from food, toxic products and cleaning products. The permit holder must keep the storage space locked.
The following products do not have to be stored under lock and key:
- oral hydration solutions also need not be stored away from food;
- saline nasal solutions;
- diaper rash creams;
- moisturizing creams;
- lip balms;
- sunscreen creams.
Epinephrine auto-injectors need not be stored under lock and key and must be accessible to any person likely to administer it.
Top of page