Paediatric First Aid Course | Blended Learning

Paediatric First Aid Course | Blended Learning (Online + 1 Day)

Standard workplace first aid courses fall short when you manage medical emergencies involving infants and young children. Younger casualties present unique anatomical and physiological challenges. Because of this, Ofsted, the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), and the Department for Education (DfE) enforce strict statutory frameworks. Our comprehensive blended course helps your organisation satisfy its legal duties, protects the children in your care, and builds genuine operational confidence.

Statutory Compliance & Early Years Frameworks

As a childcare provider, you need active compliance planning to meet your legal duty of care. The latest Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) statutory framework enforces clear rules. Early years settings must have at least one person with a full, current Paediatric First Aid (PFA) certificate on the premises. This person must be available at all times when children are present. Furthermore, a fully qualified first aider must accompany children on all off-site outings.

Statutory ratio regulations also apply to several staff groups. Childcare apprentices (aged 16+), students on placements, and experience-qualified staff must hold a valid, full PFA certificate. Otherwise, you cannot count them in your statutory staff-to-child ratios. Our blended qualification is fully regulated and meets all DfE Annex A criteria. Ofsted and the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) accept it without reservation across England, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

How the Blended Learning Timeline Works

Early years settings operate in busy, high-energy environments. Taking staff out of the classroom for two consecutive days creates logistical challenges. Because of this, our blended model splits the mandatory 12-hour syllabus into two manageable phases:

• Phase 1: Interactive Online Theory (Approx. 6 Hours): Study at your own pace on any digital device. You will take short multiple-choice quizzes as you progress through the modules. On completion, you receive an online certificate. We value eco-friendly practices, so do not print this copy. Simply show the PDF or a screenshot on your mobile phone when you arrive. Alternatively, our team can look up your completion status directly in our backend system.
• The 6-Week Learning Window: Awarding bodies and the First Aid Quality Partnership (FAQP) require training continuity. You must complete the entire course within a maximum of 6 weeks. Therefore, do not start your online theory modules too early. Keep them within 6 weeks of your face-to-face classroom date.
• Phase 2: Classroom Practical Mastery (1 Day): Spend a focused, face-to-face learning day with our expert instructor. This day focuses entirely on hands-on skills, realistic scenarios, and final assessments.

Clinical Standards & Paediatric Age Categories

Our training modules align strictly with the latest clinical developments and life-saving guidelines. You will master specific resuscitation adjustments across different early years demographics. Following current Resuscitation Council UK guidelines, you will practice skills for infants (0–1 year), children (1–12 years), and the newly integrated adolescent age category (13–18 years) to ensure comprehensive care coverage.

Comprehensive Course Syllabus

This statutory course covers an extensive array of life-saving topics. The modules ensure you remain fully competent and compliant across all childcare, nursery, and educational settings:

• Assessment & Scene Management: The specific role and legal responsibilities of a paediatric first aider. Safely evaluating emergency situations, preventing cross-infection, obtaining consent, and maintaining accurate incident records.
• Critical Life-Threatening Emergencies: Infant, child, and adolescent CPR techniques. Complete Automated External Defibrillator (AED) operation. Managing unresponsive casualties, clearing delicate airways, and using the stable recovery position. Recognising severe choking blockages and administering age-appropriate back blows and abdominal thrusts.
• Trauma, Wounds & Severe Injuries: Treating major external bleeding and managing catastrophic haemorrhages. Recognising shock and hypovolaemic complications. Initial management for suspected skeletal fractures, sprains, dislocations, and head concussions. Treating domestic burns and environmental scalds safely.
• Acute Medical Conditions & Illnesses: Recognising severe allergic reactions and administering an adrenaline auto-injector (such as an EpiPen) during anaphylaxis. Supporting children during acute asthma attacks or diabetic emergencies. Identifying critical meningitis symptoms, managing sudden poisoning or ingestion hazards, and treating foreign objects in the eyes, ears, or nose.
• Early Years Conditions: Identifying and safely supporting an infant or young child experiencing a febrile seizure or an epileptic seizure. Managing childhood fevers, tracking common rashes, and managing severe dehydration from diarrhoea and vomiting.

Attendance Continuity & Late Arrival Policy

Regulatory awarding bodies enforce strict contact-time criteria for statutory compliance certificates. You must arrive fully prepared for each interactive module. If you arrive more than 15 minutes late for your face-to-face training day, we must turn you away. You will immediately forfeit your course placement and all paid booking fees.

Classroom Schedule & Daily Breaks

We structure the practical day to maximise your learning and comfort. The course covers a large amount of vital, life-saving curriculum. Therefore, the day runs promptly from 9:00am to 6:00pm. The practical modules and written exams are intensive. Please allow for a potential 30-minute over-run at the end of the day.

We distribute approximately 1 hour of total rest breaks throughout the day. This keeps candidates fresh and focused:

• Morning: 15-minute scheduled coffee and comfort break.
• Lunchtime: 30-minute allocated break for lunch.
• Afternoon: 15-minute scheduled coffee and comfort break.

Assessment & Testing Criteria

We assess candidates across two distinct classroom components. These rules apply regardless of your chosen certification route:

• Multiple-Choice Question Paper: You sit a summative theory exam at the end of the day. You must score a minimum of 70% correct answers to achieve a pass.
• Continuous Practical Observation: Our instructor assesses your hands-on techniques throughout the day. You must demonstrate life-saving procedures accurately. Act exactly as you would in a real emergency, such as performing floor-level CPR. This component requires a 100% pass mark.

Certification Options Explained

We offer two certification routes for this qualification. Both options carry the exact same legal validity, standing, and industry recognition. You will watch the same presentation and practice the same skills. We hold every student to the same high standard. The only difference lies in the final multiple-choice exam papers:

• Certified by Chris Garland Training (Default Option): This option uses our standard regulated framework. We issue digital PDF certificates as standard when you pass. You can also request a paper copy. Your qualification remains valid for 3 years.
• Certified by an Ofqual Regulated Awarding Organisation: Choose this option if your internal corporate policy requires an external stamp. You can select it using the radio buttons above for an additional fee. We provide PDF certificates as standard and offer paper copies on request. Your qualification remains valid for 3 years.

Course Prerequisites & Age Requirements

Please ensure all attendees meet these requirements before arriving at our training centre:

• Physical Capability: You must be physically capable of demonstrating floor-level procedures on paediatric manikins. This includes kneeling to perform continuous CPR. You must meet this mandatory safety requirement to pass the qualification.
• Language Requirement: We hold all assessments and exam papers in English. You need a functional level of English to take the course. As a baseline guideline, we recommend GCSE Grade D or Level 1 English and Maths. You are welcome to bring a physical, paper translation dictionary to the classroom. Please contact us in advance to discuss reasonable adjustments.
• Age Parameters: This course suits anyone aged 16 or over who wants to become a nominated workplace first aider. We also welcome candidates aged 14 to 16. They will receive a valid certificate upon passing. However, employers should not rely on them as a sole, nominated first aider.

Candidate Numbers & Group Parameters

We maintain strict educational safety standards. To ensure every student receives dedicated tutor feedback, we operate clear participant thresholds:

• Minimum Group Size: We require a baseline of 4 candidates to run a scheduled open public course or a private group session.
• Maximum Group Size: The Health & Safety Executive (HSE) and awarding organisations limit us strictly. We allow a maximum of 12 candidates per instructor.
• Larger Corporate Teams: Do you have more than 12 candidates? We can easily bring a second qualified assessor into the classroom to accommodate your team. This service depends on calendar availability and requires an additional instructor fee.

Venues, Private Bookings & Global Coverage

Our open, scheduled paediatric courses take place at our dedicated training centre in Knutsford, Cheshire. Please review our comprehensive Joining Instructions page. It provides specific venue directions, local parking options, and clothing recommendations.

Our instructors can deliver private training for your workplace team anywhere across the UK or internationally. All instruction and clinical assessments follow current UK clinical practices, protocols, and Resuscitation Council UK guidance. For private group bookings, we gladly adapt our practical training scenarios. This ensures they align with your specific workplace environment and internal risk assessments.

Visit our dedicated Corporate & Bespoke Training Quotations page to arrange a private session. You can also use it to discuss international delivery or request a price breakdown.