Keep Children Safe in the Sun: Following Licensing Rules

Sunscreen is an over-the-counter medication. The FDA monitors it and labels it as an over-the-counter medication. This means that if a provider chooses to put sunscreen on children, the following licensing rules at centers need to be followed:

19 CSR 30-62.192(3)(A) The provider is not required to administer medication but may choose to do so.

19 CSR 30-62.192(3)(B) All medication shall be given to a child only with the dated, written permission of the parent(s) stating the length of time medication may be given.

19 CSR 30-62.192(3)(D) All nonprescription medication shall be in the original container and labeled by the parent(s) with the child’s name, and instructions for administration, including the times and amounts for dosages.

19 CSR 30-62.192(3)(E) All medication shall be stored out of reach of children or in a locked container.

19 CSR 30-62.192(3)(F) Medication shall be returned to storage immediately after use.

19 CSR 30-62.192(3)(H) Medication shall be returned to the parent(s) or disposed of immediately when no longer needed.

19 CSR 30-62.192(3)(I) The date and time(s) of administration, the name of the individual giving the medication and the quantity of any medication given shall be recorded promptly after administration. This information shall be filed in the child’s record after the medication is no longer necessary.

For Family Homes, these rules are the same, but the #’s are: 19 CSR 30-61.185(3)(A), (B), (D), (E), (F), (H), and (I).

License Exempt rules also support the above. 19 CSR 30-60.060(10)(A) through (G)
Although you are not required to administer sunscreen, rules do require that you protect the children from over-exposure to the sun. If you choose not to use sunscreen, you must demonstrate other ways that the children will be protected from the sun, such as shaded areas, hats and protective clothing, or changing the time of day that the children go outside.

It is the child care facility’s responsibility to protect the children in their care from the sun. Remember that if you choose to use sunscreen, you must follow all the licensing rules for over the counter medication to protect yourself from licensing violations.