What is the recommended practice for handling medications in a child care facility?

The recommended practice for handling medications in a child care facility emphasizes the importance of parental consent and secure storage. This approach ensures that medications are administered safely and responsibly, which is critical in a child care setting.

Obtaining parental consent is vital as it keeps parents involved in their child's health care management and ensures that there is a clear understanding of the medication's purpose, dosage, and schedule. It also protects the facility legally and ethically, ensuring that caregivers only administer those medications that have been authorized by the child's parents or guardians.

Furthermore, secure storage of medications is essential in preventing unauthorized access, which could lead to accidental overdoses or inappropriate use by children or others who should not have access to those medications. This practice aligns with safety standards and helps to create a secure environment for children.

In addition, the other options present practices that do not align with recommended safety and regulatory standards. For example, administering medications freely poses significant risks to children’s health, allowing children to manage their own medications can lead to misuse or incorrect dosages, and keeping medications in common spaces can result in significant safety hazards. Thus, option B encompasses both the ethical handling of medication and the necessary safety protocols for child care environments.