The Course

This two-day paediatric first aid course focuses on emergency scenarios that face those looking after young children under 5 years and infants, including day nurseries, private nursery schools, pre-schools, before and after school clubs for children in the early years age group and childminders and meets the Ofsted Early Years and Childcare Register requirements.

On successful completion the candidate will understand the role and responsibilities of the paediatric first aider, be able to assess an emergency and safely provide first aid to a child or baby who is: unresponsive, give a child and infant CPR, choking and foreign body airway obstruction, external & internal bleeding, injuries to bones, joints and muscles. Understand how to administer emergency first aid to an infant and a child with a chronic medical condition or sudden illness such as sickle cell crisis, diabetic emergencies, asthma attack, allergic reaction, meningitis and febrile convulsions. Understand how to administer first aid to an infant and a child who is experiencing the effects of extreme heat and cold, who has sustained an electric shock, burns or scalds, who has been poisoned, who has been bitten or stung, with minor injuries, including cuts, grazes, bumps and bruises, small splinters and nose bleeds, with conditions affecting the eyes, ears and nose, with head and spinal injuries, who is suffering from shock.

The course structure includes plenty of practical and practice to build confidence and competence. There are question and answer session, and space to revise areas that candidates may be unsure of. The specification for this course was revised by the HSE in 2009. Employers are currently advised to hold refresher sessions yearly to prevent skill degradation.

Course Certification

To complete the course there is summative and formative assessment. If successful, each candidate will be awarded a the nationally recognised Paediatric First Aid certificate which is valid for 3 years. The FAIB recommends that candidate complete yearly refresher training.