First aid in early years: why every nursery needs more than just a certificate

When you’re caring for the youngest and most vulnerable members of your community, knowing what to do in an emergency isn’t just a skill – it’s a responsibility.

For early years settings, first aid and paediatric first aid training goes beyond meeting basic requirements. It’s about giving your staff the knowledge and confidence to protect children’s lives when every second counts.

Accidents happen, even in the safest, most nurturing environments.

From choking incidents at snack time to falls during outdoor play, young children are at high risk of serious injuries and complications. Their bodies are small, their immune systems are immature and their ability to communicate distress is limited.

Paediatric first aid training is designed with these differences in mind. It teaches staff how to:

• Recognise life-threatening conditions quickly
• Respond to choking, anaphylaxis, head injuries, and more
• Administer age-appropriate CPR and use an AED (defibrillator)
• Stay calm and clear-headed under pressure

And, crucially, it builds the type of confidence that turns panic into purposeful action.

Under the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Statutory Framework, all early years providers must have “at least one person who has a current paediatric first aid certificate” on the premises and available at all times when children are present.

But is one person enough?

Let’s be honest, when you have multiple rooms, outdoor areas and wraparound care, relying on a sole qualified staff member doesn’t offer the level of protection children deserve — or the peace of mind parents expect.

Many outstanding nurseries take things further by ensuring all staff are trained and refreshed regularly, making first aid an integral part of their culture, not just a compliance task.

At Eden Custom Training, we deliver practical, scenario-based courses that prepare early years professionals for real-life emergencies.

Our sessions are:

• Led by experienced first aid instructors with childcare experience
• Full of real-world examples and interactive learning
• Tailored to the realities of nurseries, pre-schools and EYFS settings

Whether it’s managing a seizure, dealing with a severe allergic reaction or supporting a child who’s burned themselves on a radiator — your team will know how to act swiftly and effectively.

Our 12-hour (2-day) Paediatric First Aid course for higher risk environments covers:

• Infant and child CPR
• Choking and airway management
• Seizures and febrile convulsions
• Head injuries, fractures and bleeding
• Asthma and allergic reactions (including EpiPen use)
• Burns, poisoning and shock
• Recording, reporting and safeguarding
• Use of defibrillators (AEDs) in children

Need something shorter for supporting roles or low-risk environments? Then our 6-hour Emergency Paediatric First Aid is sufficient.

• Staff morale improves when your people feel prepared to handle the unexpected
• Parents feel reassured knowing their child is in safe hands
• Ofsted inspectors notice when training is proactive, consistent and child-focused

That’s the real power of paediatric first aid. It doesn’t just meet a guideline — it builds a culture of readiness, safety and care.

Let’s make sure everyone in your early years setting feels confident, capable and ready to respond.

Explore Eden Custom Training’s certified paediatric first aid courses, delivered at your premises or ours.

When lives depend on you: Be prepared. Be trained.