The Paediatric First Aid qualification is ideal for those who work or intend to work in a childcare setting as it is been specifically designed to fulfil first aid requirements for early years teachers, nursery workers and childminders.
This qualification provides Learners with the opportunity to develop the skills and knowledge needed to deal with a range of paediatric first aid situations, illnesses, injuries and emergencies which can arise when looking after children.
As of the 1st June 2019, this course also incorporates basic training in the safe use of Adrenaline Auto-Injectors commonly known as Epi-Pen.
The EYFS statutory framework states that at least one person who has a current Paediatric First Aid (PFA) certificate must be on the premises and available at all times when children are present and must accompany children on outings. The certificate must be for this full course consistent with the criteria set out below and as detailed in Annex A of the framework.
Childminders and assistants who might be in sole charge of the children for any period of time must hold a full current PFA certificate. PFA training must be renewed every three years and be relevant for workers caring for young children and where relevant, babies.
Providers should take into account the number of children, staff and layout of premises to ensure that a paediatric first aider is able to respond to emergencies quickly.
All newly qualified entrants to the early years workforce who have completed a level 2 and/or level 3 qualification on or after 30 June 2016, must also have either this full PFA or an emergency PFA certificate within three months of starting work in order to be included in the required staff:child ratios at level 2 or level 3 in an early years setting.
Providers should display (or make available to parents) staff PFA certificates or a list of staff who have a current PFA certificate
Course Structure:
Unit 1: Paediatric Emergency First Aid
Unit 2: Managing Paediatric Illness and Injury
Course Content:
As per Annex A: Criteria for effective PFA training. Taken directly from the Statutory Framework for the early years’ foundation stage
Unit 1: Paediatric Emergency First Aid
- Be able to assess an emergency situation and prioritise what action to take
- Be able to help a baby or child who is unresponsive and breathing normally
- Be able to help a baby or child who is unresponsive and not breathing normally
- Be able to help a baby or child who is having a seizure
- Be able to help a baby or child who is choking
- Be able to help a baby or child who is bleeding
- Be able to help a baby or child who is suffering from shock caused by severe blood loss (hypovolemic shock)
Unit 2: Managing Paediatric Illness and Injury
- Be able to help a baby or child who is suffering from anaphylactic shock
- Be able to help a baby or child who has had an electric shock
- Be able to help a baby or child who has burns or scalds
- Be able to help a baby or child who has a suspected fracture
- Be able to help a baby or child with head, neck or back injuries
- Be able to help a baby or child who is suspected of being poisoned
- Be able to help a baby or child with a foreign body in eyes, ears or nose
- Be able to help a baby or child with an eye injury
- Be able to help a baby or child with a bite or sting
- be able to help a baby or child who is suffering from the effects of extreme heat or cold
- Be able to help a baby or child having: a diabetic emergency; an asthma attack; meningitis; febrile convulsions; an allergic reaction (including from 1st June 2019 safe use of Adrenaline Auto-Injectors)
- Understand the role and responsibilities of the paediatric first aider (including appropriate contents of a first aid box and the need for recording accidents and incidents)
