Early Years and Childcare - first aid training

Paediatric first aid training

Childcare providers no longer have to use local authority approved training organisations. The Early Years team offer a  2-day course, however childcare providers can choose any training organisation they wish. Providers must check that it covers the course content as for St John Ambulance or Red Cross paediatric first aid training and be renewed every three years (This does not mean that early years providers must choose St John Ambulance or the British Red Cross to provide the training.) It may also be helpful to refer to the Health and Safety Executive’s guidance about choosing a first aid training provider which can be found at: www.hse.gov.uk/firstaid/approved-training.htm.

Changes to paediatric first aid requirements

All newly qualified entrants to the early years workforce with full and relevant level 2 and/or level 3 qualifications must also have a Paediatric First Aid certificate before they can be included in the statutory staff:child ratios in early years settings. The full PFA and emergency PFA course content has been set out in Annex A of the revised EYFS.

Emergency first aid at work 

In addition to paediatric first aid, employers should ensure they have adequately trained First Aiders for their workforce. Where a risk assessment has identified that that an appointed person will be sufficient, childcare providers should check with the training organisation that the 12 hour paediatric first aid training enables candidates to:                         

• understand the role of the first-aider, including reference to: the importance of preventing cross infection; the need for recording incidents and actions; use of available equipment;
• assess the situation and circumstances in order to act safely, promptly and effectively in an emergency;
• administer first aid to a casualty who is unconscious (including seizure);
• administer cardiopulmonary resuscitation;
• administer first aid to a casualty who is choking;
• administer first aid to a casualty who is wounded and bleeding;
• administer first aid to a casualty who is suffering from shock;
• provide appropriate first aid for minor injuries (including small cuts, grazes and bruises, minor burns and scalds, small splinters)

Childcare providers may consider the city council's Emergency First Aid training but note that this is also available locally through other private training providers.

The HSE has produced a leaflet which contains notes on good practice which may be helpful.