Does your DC administer medication?

MickeyM04

If so, under what circumstances?  Rx only or will they do OTC?  Topical only, or will they also do oral?

We are having a "snafu" with our DC right now because DD is on a temporary medication that she needs to receive per a doctor's note at least once (ideally twice) during the 11 hours she is at DC, and DC is enforcing their "no medication unless for a chronic medical condition" (e.g. asthma) policy.  This is now resulting in DH and I having to work out of different offices closer to DC (we both commute over an hour each way), coordinating with grandma to do lunch drop ins at DC, changing our work hours, etc. so we can give the medication at the required times for the next two weeks.  I am, needless to say, frustrated.  That being said, if this is a highly common policy, I think it would help me "get over it," so to speak.

Samiantha101

They will only administer medication that is prescribed 3+ times a day, no otc.

MickeyM04

OK well this both makes me less and more annoyed so far.  Ha!

Reason being that we have a doctor's note and the meds need to be given 4 times a day.  So at both of your DC's, I would probably be in good shape.  But @Samiantha101, that is a pretty strict policy too so it makes me feel slightly less bad. 

[Deleted User]

Diaper cream and sunscreen can be applied with a medical authorization form filled out.  

Tylenol, ibuprofen, etc- no.  You would need a doctor's note for OTC meds like pepcid, allergy meds, etc.

They will administer oral and topical prescription meds.  You must fill out the medical authorization form though.  The form is very specific listing the drug, dates administered, times and doses.  It's a state requirement.  

I've had them apply eye ointment, ear ointment and oral meds before.  The breathing treatments had to be timed to do at home.  They will do epiPens but no other shots.  

Mustardseed2007

Our kids are in 2 different DCs. Both will administer medication with a script only (state regs). There is no requirement that they will only do it if it's 1x per day or something, although if it was only 1-2x per day we would probably do it to avoid involving them.

This chronic medical condition thing is crazy. I'd probably throw a fit-explaining all the hoops you have to go through-and see if that helped.

ccam

Our DC will administer Motrin, Tylenol, etc. with a Dr's note (one time Dr's note that they keep on file).

They will administer antibiotics with a prescription.

I even need to fill out a form for our DC to use any diaper cream or sunscreen on DS.

minirella

We've been to 4 daycare centers and 1 preschool over a period of 4+ years and each will administer medication with a proper medication administration form filled out (just a daycare specific form) and the medication has to be in the original prescribed container with the prescription label adhered to the container. If it is a rash, they will apply OTC rash cream with the form filled out by the parent/guardian. All medications have to be given to the front office staff, not the teacher.

With that said, we do not allow the centers/preschool to give medications. I administer all medications unless I have to travel out of town and then the responsibility goes to my husband or MIL (who watches my daughter on a part-time basis). I know that isn't ideal for everyone but it helps us keep track of the medication and dosage schedule. I'll be the first to admit that my husband and MIL aren't the savviest when it comes to medication administration.

*If you are wondering why so many places...my child was pulled from 1st daycare at 15 months due to biting issue, 2nd daycare stopped offering part-time care, went to a preschool from there but they follow ISD calendar so she has been to 2 other centers during the summer while the preschool is closed.

cedenton

ClaryPax said:

I believe they will administer anything as long as there is a doctor note.  They do our nebulizers for us, and have done antifungals for yeast infection with a doctor note. 

Ditto this. Which is the most logical solution as far as I'm concerned. Some of the policies ya'll are quoting are effing ridiculous.

We need forms for all OTC stuff, too.

MickeyM04

It sucks because we do have a note but they won't do it.  They have an across the board policy on this, which is note or no note, they don't dispense  medications, unless like if your kid has asthma or something they will obviously do it.  The logic they have is that the parents should be able to take care of it at home.  Which in the past, when DS has been on antibiotics or whatever, even when they have to be given twice a day, we give it when he wakes up and at bed.  Or occasionally he's had to be given meds 4 times a day but the timing hasn't mattered so we do 1 at wake-up, 1 at drop-off (so they can be spaced close to an hour and a half apart), one at pick-up, and one at bed (again, close together but at least an hour and a half apart).  It just so happens that this particular medication has to be given at very specific times during the day and 2 of those times she is at DC.  But since it is just for a couple weeks, it is not a chronic condition and therefore, we are supposed to figure it out on our own.

I know from speaking with other parents and the teachers that we are basically the only family there where both parents commute and neither of us is within 30 mins of daycare (in fact, neither of us is within 60 mins of daycare), so basically this policy truly is not an inconvenience except in rare circumstances (like when meds need to be given at specific times during the DC day and when neither parent is available to administer).

I mean we have it figured out, in the sense that we are working out of other offices, changing our work hours so one of us is going in late or coming home early, having grandma come a couple of days just to do the meds, etc.  It just isn't ideal, and I was wondering how common it was for other families to have to do this sort of thing.  Apparently not very common...

[Deleted User]

As much as it can be annoying, I completely get strict policies regarding medication and think it makes sense.  I am probably the minority and I recognize that.

MickeyM04

No, @MarlaSinger& - I totally get it too.  As an attorney I totally get why you need to limit your exposure in that regard...tons of kids, different medications, different dosages, different times, the potential consequence of a screw up (wrong med for the wrong kid, missed dose, etc.)...I just of course wish it didn't adversely affect us, or that they could sort of maybe make an exception as opposed to no medications period with or without note.  I mean when the doctor's note says it has to be administered during daycare hours, TWICE during daycare hours no less, it seems like that would constitute a valid exception to the policy of parents should be able to take care of these types of things at home.  Of course I'm sure the response is, the parent can come in during daycare hours and administer.  We just happen to be the exception to the exception because we both work so far away.  Just kind of sucks but I do for sure get it.

[Deleted User]

I get it.  Your policy sounds extreme.  

wearallthebabies

Our DC only gives medicine if it is a prescription, so if we want him to have Tylenol the doctor has to write a script and we have to get it filled. We haven't run into this yet, but he is only 4.5 months. While I think it will be a little annoying, I am sure the doctor understands and I totally get why they do this for liability reasons. My DC also requires written authorization to put on sunscreen and diaper cream- signature and SPECIFICS on when and why and how they can use it. Maybe on the extreme side, but again, I understand why.

groovygrl

All as far as I know only w/ dr's note.

emberlee3

What a pain. If DCP can't be flexible, can the doc help? My kids' pedi always takes practical issues like that into account when prescribing meds. I am a physician (adults), and I try to consider stuff like that for my patients, too.

rubber_chicken

I've never heard of that.  Our daycare will administer anything as long as there's a doctor's note.  Thank God - we have notes on file for Tylenol, Benadryl, Aquafor, Hydrocortizone, Albuterol, and an Epi-pen.

MickeyM04

@emberlee3‌ - that is a good point. We do have ourselves covered (me working out of another office so I can go during lunch, mom watching her a couple days, etc.) but now that I know DC won't help us out, I will ask the doc next time. Maybe they can give a different concentration or different med that doesn't need such frequent application. Still probably a tough spot though since she's there 11 hours and no one works close to DC. So even something that needs to be administered once during the 11 hours (instead of twice) would be a problem. But I will ask next time (I hope there isn't a next time!)

NADA-H

My day care would administer baby panadol in case of a mild fever as per weight and age of baby oraly. They also asked us to fill a form signed by a doctor regarding any medication my baby is on so they would administer it. They have a full time nurse

jennyelf

Prescription meds only and only with a form signed by doctor that shows dosing, timing, medication and length of use and only up to 2 weeks per form. They'll only do it if the meds are needed more than 2x a day as if it's only twice a day, it should be handlable from home. Exceptions would be made if it's a "take with all meals" type drug though.

Separate form for chronic conditions like asthma or allergies needing an epi-pen. Those forms are good for a year. No OTC except sunscreen, diaper cream, hand cream, and chapstick.