First Aid Training
Prospective childminders in Medway are expected to have attended and completed a 12-hour paediatric first aid course before registration. A copy of the first aid certificate needs to be presented to the Ofsted inspector during the visit prior to registration.
Applying for First Aid Training
The revised Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundations Stage (EYFS 2014) came into force on 1 September 2014. One of the changes relates to Paediatric First Aid Training, and the removal of the need for an early years provider to attend Local Authority “approved training”.
EYFS 2014 Section 3.25 now says:
At least one person who has a current paediatric first aid certificate must be on the premises and available at all times when children are present, and must accompany children on outings. Childminders, and any assistant who might be in sole charge of the children for any period of time, must hold a current paediatric first aid certificate. Paediatric first aid training18 must be relevant for workers caring for young children and where relevant, babies. Providers should take into account the number of children, staff and layout of premises to ensure that a paediatric first aider is able to respond to emergencies quickly.
The relevant footnote further states:
18 Providers can choose which organisation they wish to provide the training (preferably one with a nationally approved and accredited first aid qualification or one that is a member of a trade body with an approval and monitoring scheme) but the training must cover the course content as for St John Ambulance or Red Cross paediatric first aid training and be renewed every three years.
Therefore, Medway Council Early Years Service do not hold an “approved list” of first aid training organisations, and will not endorse or recommend any first aid training organisation. Early years providers in Medway will be able to choose any training organisation they wish.
However, as the EYFS 2014 states; an early years provider must check that it covers “the course content as for St John Ambulance or Red Cross paediatric first aid training and be renewed every three years”.
The course content for St John Ambulance and Red Cross paediatric first aid training can be found at:
St John Ambulance
Website:
Red Cross
Website:
Details of nationally approved or accredited qualifications and trade bodies can be found at:
Health & Safety Executive (HSE)
Website:
The revised EYFS 2014 can be found at:
Website:
.