Paediatric & Early Years First Aid Ofsted Compliant (2-Day)
Course Overview
Our Paediatric & Early Years First Aid (2-day) course is designed for those responsible for the care of infants and children, providing the knowledge, practical skills and confidence needed to respond to emergencies in early years and childcare settings.
This course meets the full requirements set out in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework and is suitable for those working in environments regulated by Ofsted. It ensures staff are appropriately trained to meet safeguarding, welfare and first aid expectations within early years provision.
Paediatric first aid is not simply a compliance requirement. In environments where children are learning, developing and exploring, incidents can and do happen. The ability to respond quickly, calmly and correctly can directly affect outcomes and, in some cases, save a life.
Training reflects current UK best practice, including guidance from the Resuscitation Council UK, and is delivered in a way that connects directly to real situations staff may face in nurseries, schools and childcare environments.
Course Details
Duration: 2 days (12 hours)
Delivery: Face-to-face or blended option available (online learning combined with a face-to-face practical session)
Certificate: Accredited Paediatric First Aid certificate (EYFS compliant)
Validity: 3 years
Group size: Up to 12 learners per course
Who the Course Is For
This course is suitable for:
- nursery practitioners and early years educators
- childminders and assistants
- school staff working with younger children
- nannies and private childcare providers
- playgroup and preschool staff
- foster carers and those supporting children in care settings
It is particularly relevant for those who must meet EYFS requirements, including staff counted within statutory ratios.
Under the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) statutory framework, providers must ensure that at least one person with a full paediatric first aid certificate is on the premises and available at all times when children are present, and also available during outings.
Why This Training Is Important
Working with children carries a responsibility that goes beyond supervision. It requires staff to be prepared to respond to emergencies in a safe, effective and timely way. Common incidents in early years settings include:
- Choking in babies and young children
- Allergic reactions and anaphylaxis
- Febrile seizures
- Asthma attacks
- Head injuries and falls
- Burns and scalds
The Ofsted inspection framework places clear emphasis on safeguarding, staff competence and the ability to respond appropriately to incidents. This course supports organisations in demonstrating:
- compliance with EYFS requirements
- safe and effective care practices
- confident and capable staff
- a proactive approach to safeguarding and risk management
Real-World Context
In one early years setting we supported, staff identified that although they had previously completed training, they lacked confidence in responding to choking in infants. Through practical, scenario-based learning, staff were able to practise and repeat key skills until they felt confident to act without hesitation.
That shift from uncertainty to confidence is where training has the greatest impact.
What You Will Learn
By the end of this course, learners will be able to:
- Assess emergency situations and prioritise actions
- Perform CPR on infants and children in line with current UK guidance
- Use an automated external defibrillator (AED)
- Respond effectively to choking incidents
- Recognise and manage allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis
- Identify and respond to febrile seizures
- Treat burns, scalds, bleeding and shock
- Manage head injuries and suspected fractures
- Recognise signs of serious illness
- Understand responsibilities for recording, reporting and escalation
Course Content
- Roles and responsibilities of a paediatric first aider
- Assessing an emergency situation
- CPR and AED use for infants and children
- Choking management
- Allergic reactions and anaphylaxis
- Asthma and breathing difficulties
- Febrile seizures
- Bleeding, shock and wounds
- Burns and scalds
- Head injuries and fractures
- Minor injuries
- Childhood illnesses
- Recording, reporting and legal considerations
How the Course Is Delivered
This course is delivered face-to-face at your workplace or chosen venue, with a strong emphasis on practical, hands-on learning.
Learners take part in:
- Instructor-led demonstrations
- Supervised practical scenarios
- Repeated skills practice using manikins and training equipment
- Real-world discussions based on childcare environments
A blended learning option is available, combining structured online learning with a face-to-face practical session. This provides flexibility while maintaining the practical competency required for certification.
Training can be adapted to reflect your specific setting, policies and procedures.
Certification & Validity
Learners receive an accredited Paediatric First Aid certificate valid for three years, meeting the requirements of the EYFS statutory framework.
While certification lasts three years, many organisations choose to provide annual refreshers to maintain confidence and ensure skills such as CPR remain current and effective.
In-House & Bespoke Training
We specialise in delivering training in your own setting.
This allows us to:
- Tailor scenarios to your environment
- Align with your safeguarding and reporting procedures
- Reflect your policies and risk assessments
- Support mixed-experience teams
Training delivered in your workplace helps staff apply learning directly to their role.
Course Location & Service Areas
We deliver in-house training at your workplace or chosen venue, tailored to your needs and schedule. This flexible approach removes the need to send staff off-site for essential learning. Our experienced trainers deliver courses across Manchester and Greater Manchester, supporting organisations throughout the North West. We also provide on-site training throughout England, covering major cities, towns, and regions nationwide, including North England, South England, London, and Surrey.
Wherever and however the training is delivered, all sessions are led by experienced Prima Cura Training instructors and meet the same high standards.
FAQs
Does this course meet EYFS requirements for staff ratios?
Yes. This is a full Paediatric First Aid course that meets EYFS requirements. Staff who complete this course can be counted within the required ratios, provided all other EYFS conditions are met. We recommend that settings ensure sufficient staff are trained to cover absences, holidays and outings.
Can I take this course as blended learning?
Yes. A blended learning option is available, combining online theory with a face-to-face practical session. This format still meets EYFS requirements when delivered correctly and can be a more flexible option for busy teams.
How many staff need to be trained in paediatric first aid?
EYFS requires at least one person with a full paediatric first aid certificate to be present at all times. However, best practice is to train multiple staff to ensure consistent cover across shifts, breaks, absence and off-site activities. Many settings choose to train all staff working directly with children.
Is this course suitable for schools as well as early years settings?
Yes. While the course is designed to meet early years requirements, it is also highly relevant for primary school staff and others working with younger children. It provides practical skills that apply across a range of childcare and education environments.
Do you tailor the training to our setting?
Yes. Training can be adapted to reflect your specific environment, whether that is a nursery, school, childminding setting or community provision. We can incorporate your policies, procedures and common scenarios to make the training more relevant and practical.
What is the difference between this and Emergency Paediatric First Aid?
Emergency Paediatric First Aid is a shorter, one-day course covering essential life-saving skills. This 2-day course provides a more comprehensive level of training, covering a wider range of conditions and meeting full EYFS requirements for those counted in staff ratios.
Does this course include a practical assessment?
Yes. Learners are assessed throughout the course through practical demonstration of skills and participation in scenarios. This ensures that staff are not only taught the theory, but can also apply it safely in practice.
How often should training be refreshed?
Certification is valid for three years, but it is good practice to refresh skills more regularly. Many settings choose annual updates to maintain confidence and ensure staff remain familiar with emergency procedures.
Related Courses
You may also be interested in:
- Emergency Paediatric First Aid (1 Day)
- Emergency First Aid for Schools
- First Aid at Work (3 Day)
- Anaphylaxis Awareness Training
- Basic Life Support and AED Training
- Safeguarding Children Training
Our Commitment to Quality and Compliance
At Prima Cura Training, all training is designed to reflect current UK guidance and best practice.
All trainers are experienced professionals with relevant qualifications and ongoing CPD. Because many of the settings we support involve children and vulnerable individuals, all trainers hold Enhanced DBS checks.
Training is regularly reviewed to reflect updates from the Resuscitation Council UK, EYFS, and safeguarding expectations.
You can read more on our Quality Assurance and Compliance page.
Book or Enquire
If your organisation requires EYFS-compliant paediatric first aid training, we can deliver practical, high-quality training tailored to your setting.
Our focus is on building real confidence and capability, not just meeting minimum requirements.
Reviewed by Stephanie Austin – Owner & Lead Trainer, Prima Cura Training | Last reviewed: March 2026 | Next review: March 2027
This page provides general information about paediatric first aid training. It does not replace practical training, assessment or workplace risk assessment responsibilities. Employers remain responsible for ensuring appropriate first aid provision in line with EYFS requirements and current UK guidance.
