The Paediatric First Aid – Level 3 training is a comprehensive course designed to equip childcare professionals with the skills and knowledge necessary to provide first aid to infants and children in emergency situations. This course meets the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework and is mandatory for those registering with OFSTED on the Voluntary Childcare Register (VOCR).
Course Overview
This 12-hour course provides practical and theoretical training in managing medical emergencies involving infants and children. It covers essential first aid procedures, including how to assess, respond to, and manage a wide range of illnesses and injuries.
Learning Objectives
By the end of the course, learners will be able to:
- Recognize life-threatening conditions in infants and children.
- Administer appropriate first aid during medical emergencies.
- Perform CPR and use an Automated External Defibrillator (AED).
- Manage common injuries, illnesses, and medical conditions.
- Understand the legal responsibilities of providing first aid in childcare settings.
Course Content
1. Roles and Responsibilities of a Paediatric First Aider
- Legal framework: duty of care, EYFS requirements, registration and compliance.
- Responsibilities of those working with babies and young children (nannies, childminders, early years practitioners).
- Recording and reporting of incidents and first aid events; liaising with parents/carers, supervisors and regulatory bodies.
- Risk-assessment: identifying hazards in home and early years settings and implementing preventive first aid measures.
2. Assessing Emergency Situations
- Safe scene assessment: checking for danger, protecting yourself and the casualty, and calling for help.
- Primary survey (DR ABC): Danger, Response, Airway, Breathing, Circulation for infants and children.
- Secondary survey: full head-to-toe check, identifying injuries or medical conditions, recognising signs of serious illness.
- Communicating with the ambulance service: gathering and providing accurate information, handing over effectively.
3. Administering Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
- Performing CPR on infants (0-12 months) – correct technique, compression-to-ventilation ratio, hand placement.
- Performing CPR on children (1 year and older) – adapting technique for older child casualties.
- Safe and effective use of an AED (paediatric pads or settings) in infants and children.
- When to start and stop CPR in a paediatric context (infant vs child).
4. Managing Unresponsive Casualties
- Recognising unconsciousness, fainting, and seizure activity.
- Placing infants and children into the recovery position safely (including differences between age groups).
- Managing choking: identifying mild airway obstruction (coughing), managing severe airway obstruction (effective back blows/chest thrusts for infants; abdominal thrusts/chest thrusts for children).
- Monitoring casualty’s breathing and circulation until advanced help arrives.
5. Treating Common Injuries and Conditions
- Wounds and external bleeding: from minor cuts and grazes through to severe bleeding and shock.
- Burns and scalds: immediate treatment, when to call for help, preventing infection and further injury.
- Fractures, dislocations, sprains and strains: recognising signs/symptoms, initial stabilisation, safe handling and pain management.
- Head, neck and spinal injuries in children: special considerations, when to suspect spinal injury, safe handling and waiting for help.
- Poisoning, bites and stings: identifying the hazard in a childcare context, first aid management, when to escalate.
6. Managing Medical Emergencies
- Seizures and febrile convulsions: recognising seizure types in children, what to do during and after a seizure; liaising with parents and medical professionals.
- Asthma attacks and breathing difficulties: recognising signs, administering inhalers/nebulisers (if trained), maintaining airway until help arrives.
- Allergic reactions and anaphylaxis: identifying triggers in early years settings and home care; using auto-injector (EpiPen) protocols; post-incident monitoring.
- Diabetes and hypoglycaemia/hyperglycaemia in children: recognising signs, supporting the child, liaising with parents/medical professionals.
- Meningitis and other serious infectious diseases: recognising early warning signs in infants/children; first aid response; minimising infection risk in childcare settings.
Assessment and Certification
- Assessment: Learners are assessed through practical demonstrations and theoretical knowledge tests.
- Certification: Upon successful completion, participants receive a Level 3 Paediatric First Aid Certificate valid for three years.
Duration and Format
- Duration: 12 hours (delivered over 2 days or as a blended course with 6 hours online and 6 hours in-person).
- Delivery: Available in face-to-face, blended learning.
Who Should Take This Course?
This course is suitable for:
- Nannies, childminders, and babysitters.
- Maternity and night nannies.
- Au Pairs and home educators.
- Early years educators and nursery staff.
- Activity providers and anyone caring for children under 5 years old.
Benefits of Completing the Course
- Meets OFSTED’s requirements for registration on the Voluntary Childcare Register (VOCR).
- Enhances employability and professional credibility in childcare roles.
- Provides essential life-saving skills to protect the health and safety of children.
- Ensures compliance with the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) standards.
By completing the Paediatric First Aid – Level 3 training, you’ll be fully prepared to handle emergency situations and provide life-saving care to children in your professional care.