Paediatric first aid provision

Ofsted states that it is important that childcare provision is safe. Providers must have measures in place to prevent and minimise injuries to children and take precautions to avoid infection.   Regulations for the Childcare Register require the childminder or home child-carer to hold a current first aid qualification and for the registered person for childcare on domestic or non-domestic premises to ensure that at least one person caring for children on the premises has a first aid qualification which is appropriate to the ages of the children for whom childcare is provided.

First aid provision must be available at all times that children are cared for either on the childcare premises or off the premises on visits and outings. The registered provider is responsible for ensuring these requirements are met.

This guidance sets out the minimum first aid requirements for most childcare provision. However, it is for the provider to determine whether these minimum standards are appropriate for the type of care they provide and whether more advanced training or qualification is required. For example, childcare that features certain activities such as water sports may need to have more specific first aid training and risk assessing.

First aid training for childcare does not replace the requirements of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and first aid at work regulations 1981 which places duties on employers for the health and safety of their employees and anyone else on the premises.  Finally, it is important to ensure you keep current and ensure you meet any existing or new requirements in respect of first aid provision.