Paediatric First Aid Course
Qualsafe Level 3 Award in Paediatric First Aid (RQF)
Complete the full regulated Paediatric First Aid qualification through two days of face-to-face classroom training.
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Ideal for nurseries, pre-schools, schools, childminders and other organisations that want practical training delivered for their team at their own suitable venue.
Ofqual Regulated
3
Year Certification
2
Day Course
Interested in This Course?
This two-day classroom course is available for organisations to book as private training at their nursery, school, childcare setting, workplace or another suitable venue.
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Private delivery allows you to coordinate training around staffing requirements and train up to 12 learners together.
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We do not currently have a public date scheduled at our Milton Keynes training centre. If you would be interested in attending a future public course, please contact DTMK. We can record your interest and let you know if a suitable date becomes available. Contacting us does not reserve a place or commit you to booking.
If learners would prefer to reduce their classroom attendance, the Blended Paediatric First Aid course leads to the same regulated qualification through six hours of Qualsafe e-learning followed by one practical classroom day.
What Is the Paediatric First Aid Qualification?
The Qualsafe Level 3 Award in Paediatric First Aid (RQF) is the full regulated qualification for people who care for infants and children.
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It prepares learners to assess and manage a wide range of childhood emergencies, illnesses and injuries. Training includes practical skills, realistic scenarios and formal assessment across two classroom days.
The qualification is based on recommendations from:
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The Resuscitation Council UK
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A panel of experts in emergency medical care
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The EYFS requires early years providers to make appropriate paediatric first aid arrangements. At least one person with a current paediatric first aid certificate must be available whenever children are present and must accompany children on outings.
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Providers must consider their staffing levels, the number of children, the layout of the premises and their operating arrangements when deciding how many trained paediatric first aiders they need.
This full qualification is suitable for learners who may take responsibility for first aid within an early years setting. It covers substantially more content than the one-day Emergency Paediatric First Aid qualification.
How the Two-Day Paediatric First Aid Course Works
This course provides the complete qualification through two days of face-to-face classroom training.
Learners complete a minimum of 12 guided learning hours with their trainer, normally delivered as six hours of training and assessment each day. Breaks are additional to these hours.
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Across the two days, learners take part in:
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Trainer-led learning and discussion
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Practical demonstrations
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Repeated skills practice
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Infant and child emergency scenarios
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Group activities and casualty management exercises
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Practical assessments
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Two multiple-choice assessments
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All teaching, practical training and formal assessment take place in the classroom. There is no compulsory e-learning element.
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Learners who would prefer to complete part of the qualification online can choose the Blended Paediatric First Aid course, which leads to the same Qualsafe qualification through six hours of e-learning followed by one classroom day.
Practical Training for Infant and Child Emergencies
Paediatric first aid cannot be learned effectively through theory alone. Learners need time to practise the physical skills and adapt their response for casualties of different ages and sizes.
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During the course, learners work with infant and child training manikins and practise:
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Assessing an emergency involving an infant or child
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Managing an unresponsive casualty
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Performing infant and child CPR
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Using an automated external defibrillator safely
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Responding to choking
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Controlling bleeding and treating shock
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Managing suspected fractures
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Recognising and managing anaphylaxis
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Completing a secondary survey
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DTMK uses practical activities and realistic scenarios to help learners move beyond remembering a sequence and develop the confidence to respond under pressure.
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You can learn more about the training equipment used by DTMK on our Meet the Manikins page.
Who Is This Qualification For?
This qualification is intended for people who have a specific responsibility to provide first aid to infants and children through their employment, voluntary work or community activities.
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It is particularly suitable for:
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Nursery and pre-school staff
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Early years practitioners
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Registered childminders and assistants
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School and reception staff
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Nannies and childcare professionals
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Holiday club and activity staff
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Sports coaches working with children
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Volunteers responsible for infants or children
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Organisations that need full paediatric first aid provision
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The full two-day qualification is appropriate for people who may need to take responsibility for a wide range of paediatric emergencies, illnesses and injuries.
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Some organisations use a combination of full Paediatric First Aid and Emergency Paediatric First Aid qualifications. The correct arrangement depends on the setting, staffing structure, children being cared for and applicable requirements.
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For further guidance, read The Top Five Questions Nurseries Ask About Paediatric First Aid Training.
What Does the Paediatric First Aid Course Cover?
The course develops the knowledge and practical skills needed to respond to emergencies involving infants and children.
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Course content includes:
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The role and responsibilities of a paediatric first aider
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Assessing an incident and completing a primary survey
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Infant and child CPR
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Safe use of an automated external defibrillator
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Managing an unresponsive infant or child
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The recovery position and continual monitoring
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Responding to infant and child choking
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Seizures and febrile convulsions
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External bleeding and shock
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Minor injuries
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Suspected fractures and dislocations
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Head, neck and spinal injuries
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Eye, ear and nose injuries
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Asthma and hypoglycaemic emergencies
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Meningitis and sepsis
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Allergic reactions and anaphylaxis
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Burns and scalds
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Extreme heat and cold
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Electric shock
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Suspected poisoning
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Bites, stings and foreign bodies
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Recording incidents and providing an effective handover
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Training considers the important differences between infants and children and helps learners recognise when emergency medical assistance is required.
How Is the Qualification Assessed?
Assessment takes place throughout the two classroom days and includes seven practical assessments and two multiple-choice question papers.
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Learners must successfully demonstrate:
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Infant CPR and safe use of an automated external defibrillator
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Child CPR and safe use of an automated external defibrillator
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Management of a choking casualty
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Management of wounds, bleeding and shock
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Management of an unconscious casualty
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Management of paediatric fractures
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Management of anaphylaxis
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Learners must also complete:
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A 15-question paper for the Emergency Paediatric First Aid unit, with a minimum pass mark of 11
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A 25-question paper for the Managing Paediatric Illness, Injuries and Emergencies unit, with a minimum pass mark of 18
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Every mandatory practical and theory assessment must be completed successfully to achieve the qualification.
Learners who need further support will receive clear feedback and, where permitted, an opportunity for reassessment.
Entry Requirements
Learners must be at least 14 years old on the first day of training.
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There are no other formal entry requirements, although Qualsafe strongly recommends that learners have literacy and numeracy skills at Level 1 or an equivalent standard.
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Learners must be able to:
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Participate in practical activities at floor level
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Perform infant and child CPR
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Demonstrate the recovery position
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Take part in casualty management exercises
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Complete the required practical and theory assessments
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Due to the practical nature of the course, learners should wear suitable clothing and flat footwear.
Please tell DTMK before booking if a learner has an injury, medical condition, disability, learning need or language-related requirement so that suitable support and reasonable adjustments can be considered.
Accessibility and Reasonable Adjustments
DTMK aims to make this qualification accessible while maintaining the practical and assessment standards required by Qualsafe.
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Please contact us before booking if a learner has a disability, medical condition, injury, learning need or language-related requirement. This allows us to discuss appropriate support and determine whether a reasonable adjustment is permitted.
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Support may include:
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Additional explanation or approved learning materials
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An adapted training environment where appropriate
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Suitable supervised rest breaks
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An approved alternative arrangement for the theory assessments
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Verbal delivery of the question papers where this meets Qualsafe requirements
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Learners must still demonstrate all essential practical first aid skills independently. Assistance from another person cannot be used to complete a practical assessment.
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Where a learner cannot complete every required practical skill, DTMK may be able to provide an informal record of the learning outcomes achieved. This would not constitute the Qualsafe Level 3 Award in Paediatric First Aid (RQF).
Qualification Details
Qualification: Qualsafe Level 3 Award in Paediatric First Aid (RQF)
Qualification number: 603/0785/7
Regulated by: Ofqual
Operational start date: 1 January 2017
Guided learning hours: 12
Total qualification time: 15 hours
Credit value: 2
Number of units: 2 mandatory units
Minimum learner age: 14
Maximum class size: 12 learners per trainer
Assessment: Seven practical assessments and two multiple-choice question papers
Certificate validity: 3 years
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Successful learners receive a regulated Qualsafe certificate.
To remain qualified, learners must complete the qualification and its assessments again before their certificate expires. Qualsafe also recommends annual refresher training to help learners maintain their practical skills and remain aware of changes to first aid procedures.
All assessments must be completed successfully within the Qualsafe registration period. The maximum permitted period, including any referrals, is seven weeks.
Arrange Paediatric First Aid Training at Your Venue
DTMK delivers the two-day classroom course as private training for nurseries, pre-schools, schools, childcare providers and other organisations.
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Training your team together can help you:
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Coordinate dates around staffing requirements
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Train up to 12 learners on the same course
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Reduce travel for employees
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Discuss scenarios relevant to your setting
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Develop a more consistent approach to emergency response
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Your venue will need a suitable indoor training room with enough space for floor-level practical activities, infant and child manikins, written assessments and group exercises.
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DTMK will discuss learner numbers, proposed dates, access requirements and venue suitability before confirming the booking.
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For wider guidance about planning provision, read First Aid Arrangements in Schools.