It has been one month since the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) statutory framework concerning paediatric first aid became stricter, are you compliant?
Why Does This Matter for Nurseries, Schools, Teachers, Nannies, Childminders and anyone who require Paediatric First Aid?
Legal compliance: EYFS is statutory. Failing to meet the requirements can lead to issues with Ofsted inspections, licensing, parental trust and possibly legal exposure in the event of an incident.
Staffing & ratios: With more people (apprentices, volunteers) now needing Paediatric First Aid to count in staffing ratios, you need to plan ahead. Otherwise you may find that some staff or helpers cannot be included in required ratios, affecting the daily running of childcare/schools.
Safety, confidence & readiness: Children’s safety depends on staff being able to respond in emergencies. The more people properly trained, the better the response, the calmer handling of incidents.
Budget & scheduling: Because more staff need certified Paediatric First Aid, you must budget for more courses, cover for staff off for training or renewal. Plan course timings so certificates don’t lapse.
Practical Steps You Should Take Now
Since September 1st any setting requiring a 12 hour Paediatric First Aid qualification should have been ensuring the following to maintain compliance:
- Audit your staff list: who has valid Paediatric First Aid training, who is due for renewal soon, who is unqualified (including apprentices/volunteers).
- Schedule a Paediatric First Aid course for those who need it. Ensure you give enough time so there are no gaps in renewals.
- Check with your current first aid provider that their course content is fully EYFS‐compliant (Annex A). Ours is!
- Ensure you have a reliable way to track staff certificates and expiry dates.
- Review your first aid policy: ensure it states who is responsible, how many first aiders you have, coverage during outings and at mealtimes.
- When hiring new staff or starting apprentices/volunteers, ensure you plan their training so that they can get their Paediatric First Aid certificate within any legal timeframe required for ratios.
Choosing the Right Paediatric First Aid Training: Compliant vs. Non-Compliant
Compliant Provider (like DAC Education) | Non-Compliant Course Provider |
Fully meets EYFS Annex A requirements (content, duration, infant | May skip or shorten key modules, leaving staff without required skills |
Delivered by qualified, accredited trainers with early years/childcare experience | Trainer qualifications unclear or not recognised by Ofsted |
Recognised by Ofsted/inspections certificates accepted without issue | Risk of Ofsted rejecting certificates at inspection (could impact rating/licence) |
Certificates valid for 3 years, renewal reminders provided | Certificates may not be recognised, or no support to track expiry |
Covers all staff types: apprentices, volunteers, students, as well as qualified practitioners | May not meet requirements for staff included in ratios under new EYFS rules |
Provides flexible training (blended, on-site) to minimise disruption | Limited dates/times; staff may miss out on timely training |
Extra support: first aid policy templates, risk assessment advice, renewal tracking | Training ends at certificate, no follow up or compliance help |
Peace of mind: you’re 100% compliant and inspection ready | Potentially non-compliant, risking fines, reduced ratios, or even closure |
How DAC Education Can Help with our 12 hour Paediatric First Aid Course
DAC Education offers a high quality 12 hour Paediatric First Aid Course which aligns with the new and existing EYFS requirements.
Fully compliant content
Our full Paediatric First Aid course meets the EYFS Annex A criteria: 12 hours coverage of relevant emergency topics (infants & children), including CPR, choking, anaphylaxis, burns/scalds, head injury etc.
Going Above & Beyond
We also offer a combined course, 12 hour Paediatric First Aid (EYFS) and EFAW at the same time, both qualifications, but only one day in the classroom. Find out more here:
Accreditation & recognised trainers
We are accredited, our trainers are experienced and our courses are accepted by regulating bodies, so you can be confident the certificates will be valid for Ofsted/EYFS purposes.
Flexibility
We offer flexible scheduling, you can come to us or we can come to you. We offer blended options to minimise disruption and time (part self-paced learning online and the rest in person) and can come in on school PD days so that entire staff teams can maintain valid certifications without large disruption.
Supporting all school staff types
Because the rules now cover apprentices we can help you ensure everyone who needs it has the correct qualification.
Renewal/reminder systems
We can assist with tracking expiry dates with reminder emails ensuring no-one falls out of compliance.
Additional resources
We can offer help with risk assessments related to first aid, templates for first aid policies and advice on best practice beyond the legal minimum, how many first aiders you should have, availability during all hours, coverage during absences.
