This setting is committed to

• Providing a safe and healthy environment for all children in the setting.
• Providing an environment in which all children with asthma can participate in order to realise their full potential.
• Providing a clear set of guidelines to be followed with regard to the management of asthma.
• All children diagnosed with asthma to receive appropriate attention as required.

Procedures for management

• Where appropriate organise asthma management information sessions for staff, parents/carers in the setting.
• Encourage open communication between parents/carers and staff regarding the status and impact of a child’s asthma.
• Where appropriate, organise Emergency Asthma Management training for staff.

The staff will

• Ask all parents/carers as part of the induction procedure, prior to their child’s attendance at the setting, whether the child has diagnosed asthma and document this information on the child’s registration form.
• Provide families whose child has asthma with an asthma plan to complete. This will then be attached to child’s registration form.
• Compile a list of children with asthma and place it in a secure but readily accessible location, which is known to all staff. Designated area : Medicine cupboard in kitchen, list is displayed inside door.
• Record expiry dates of medication to ensure is always kept up to date.
• Consult with parents/carers of children with asthma, in relation to the health and safety of their child and the supervised management of the child’s asthma.
• Promptly communicate any concerns to parents if it is considered that a child’s asthma is limiting his/her ability to participate fully in activities.
• Where necessary, modify activities for the child with asthma in accordance with their current needs and abilities.
• Administer all regular prescribed asthma medication in accordance with the medication book.
• Keep medication/equipment secure in designated area i.e. Medicine cupboard in kitchen. Ensure all items are clearly labelled.
• Complete Medication book with parents/carers, recording details of dosage required and times to administer. Parent/carer will sign to give permission for staff to administer, check information is correct.

Parents/carers of a child must

• Inform setting, as early as possible that their child has a history of asthma.
• Provide all relevant information regarding the child’s asthma via the Asthma Action Plan.
• Notify setting, in writing, of an changes to the information they entered on the Asthma Action Plan.
• Provide an adequate supply of appropriate asthma medication and equipment for their child at all times. All medication has been prescribed by GP.
• Ensure information recorded in Medication book is correct, and parent/carer has signed record to give permission to administer medication.
• Communicate all relevant information and concerns to staff as the need arises.
• Consult with the setting, in relation to the health and safety of their child and the supervised management of the child’s asthma.

Definitions:

Metered Dose Inhaler (puffer)	Common delivery device used to administer reliever medication.
Asthma Emergency	The onset of unstable or deteriorating asthma symptoms requiring immediate treatment with reliever medication.
Asthma Action Plan	A record of information on the child’s asthma and how to manage it, including contact details, what to do when the child’s asthma worsens and emergency treatment.
Asthma Triggers	Things that may induce asthma symptoms e.g. pollens, colds/viruses, dust mites etc.
Puffer	Common name for a metered dose inhaler
Reliever medication	This comes in a blue container and is used to relax the muscles around the airways to relieve asthma symptoms.
Spacer device	A plastic device used to increase the efficiency of delivery of asthma medication from a puffer.