Children in nurseries, playgroups and childminding settings may require medication for short-term illness, ongoing medical conditions or emergency situations. Administering medication safely is essential for protecting children’s health, preventing errors, complying with regulations, and maintaining trust with families.
This course is designed to help Early Years practitioners confidently store, administer, record and manage medication using best practice. You’ll learn how to follow UK & Scottish regulatory expectations, gain confidence in handling prescriptions and over-the-counter medication, recognise when authorisation is required, respond to errors, and manage emergency situations calmly and safely.
This is a practical, regulation-aligned and confidence-building course suitable for all Early Years professionals. By the end, you’ll feel equipped to manage medication securely, communicate clearly with parents, and keep children safe while meeting compliance standards across Scotland and England.
⭐ What You Will Learn
By the end of this course you will be able to:
- Understand legal and regulatory responsibilities around medication in EY settings
- Identify different types of medication and when they can be administered
- Gain informed consent and authorisation from parents/carers appropriately
- Store medication safely, including fridge requirements and expiry checks
- Administer medication correctly using safe dosage and hygiene practices
- Recognise emergency medication needs such as asthma or anaphylaxis
- Respond appropriately to refusals, missed doses or medication errors
- Record, monitor and communicate administration clearly with families
- Manage medication safely during outings and external activities
🧠 Course Lessons
Lesson 1: Why Medication Matters in Early Years
Understanding why children may need medication, risks of poor practice, duty of care, and the role of policies and training.
Lesson 2: Legal Duties & Consent Requirements
EYFS & Scottish regulatory expectations, parental responsibility, written authorisation, and reviewing medical information regularly.
Lesson 3: Safe Storage, Labelling & Handling
Original packaging, individual storage, fridge temperature recording, expiry checks, and secure but accessible emergency medication.
Lesson 4: Administration & Recording Procedures
Step-by-step safe administration, hygiene, using syringes/spoons, record keeping standards, sharing info with parents.
Lesson 5: Emergencies, Outings & When Things Go Wrong
Rescue medication use, NHS24 advice scenarios, dealing with refusal/errors, outings risk assessments, return/disposal of medication.
🗂️ Additional Resources & Useful Links (New Section)
This dedicated section provides downloadable tools and external guidance to help you apply safe medication practices in your setting.
Included in this resources hub:
- Medication Administration Log (PDF)
- Parent/Carer Medication Consent Form (PDF)
- Medication Error / Incident Report Form (PDF)
- Emergency Medication Quick-Reference Guide (PDF)
- Outings & Trips Medication Checklist (PDF)
- Safe Storage & Labelling Standards Guide (PDF)
- Links to NHS, EYFS, Care Inspectorate & allergy/asthma organisations
- Practice-enhancing tools for compliance, record keeping and emergency response
This section can be revisited at any time and is ideal for staff rooms, induction packs, and CPD portfolios.
📄 Course Format
| Feature | Included |
|---|---|
| Interactive lessons | ✔️ |
| Practical scenarios & decision tasks | ✔️ |
| Downloadable templates & forms | ✔️ |
| Knowledge check quizzes | ✔️ |
| Final CPD certificate | ✔️ |
Learn at your own pace, pause and return anytime.
⏳ Duration & Certification
- Approx. 30–45 minutes CPD
- Instant digital certificate on completion
- Evidence suitable for Ofsted, Care Inspectorate & compliance portfolios