If you need a paediatric first aid certificate to meet the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) requirements, or any other requirement for a childcare or school setting, this online theory course does not provide it and should not be treated as a replacement. Read the section "What this course is not" below before you apply.
The course is free, but you need to apply for a place. Every application is reviewed by a person, so access is not instant, and we cannot promise a start date.
Paediatric first aid at a glance
- Cost: free (application required; no payment is taken for the course, the assessment or the certificate)
- Study time:
- Format: online theory only, self-paced
- Practical training or assessment: none
- Level: "Level 3" in the course name describes the depth of the theory content provided. It is not an Ofqual-regulated Level 3 award
- Assessment: online multiple-choice questions
- Certificate: a certificate of completion for the online theory course, issued by CareCertified
- Accreditation: CPD accredited courses
- Application: reviewed manually before enrolment
What is paediatric first aid training?
Paediatric first aid is the care you give an infant or child who is injured or ill until professional help arrives or the child recovers. The approach differs from adult first aid because babies and children have different bodies, different risks and need different techniques, for example in resuscitation and choking.
Our paediatric first aid course teaches the underlying knowledge online. First aid is a practical skill, though, and you can only learn and show skills such as infant and child CPR by practising on a manikin with a trainer. This course gives you the theory to understand why and when each step is taken.
What this course is not
- It is not a paediatric first aid certificate that meets EYFS requirements. The EYFS statutory framework says that the emergency paediatric first aid course should be undertaken face to face, and defines face to face as trainers being physically present with trainees, which excludes online platforms. You can read the framework on GOV.UK.
- It does not include practical training or a practical assessment.
- It is not approved by Ofsted, and we do not claim that it satisfies any inspection requirement.
- It does not make you a qualified first aider, and a certificate of completion does not show that you can perform first aid.
Some providers offer blended paediatric first aid training, where the theory is completed online and the practical skills are taught and assessed in person. This is different from our course, which has no in-person part. If you work in early years, in a nursery or as a childminder, ask your employer, setting manager or local authority what first aid training you need, and look for a course with a practical, in-person element.
Who might find this paediatric first aid course useful?
Even though it is not a practical qualification, an online paediatric first aid theory course can be a helpful extra for people who:
- work or volunteer with children and want to refresh their knowledge between practical courses
- are preparing for a practical first aid course and want to learn the theory first
- care for children at home, such as foster carers, parents and family carers
- work in schools, nurseries, sports clubs or youth groups and want a better understanding of common childhood emergencies
Who needs practical paediatric first aid training?
Many nursery, preschool and childminding settings must have staff who hold a full paediatric first aid certificate that meets the EYFS criteria. That usually means a longer course with practical teaching and assessment. If this applies to you, treat our online theory course as an extra, not as your certificate.
Learning outcomes: what you will learn
By the end of the course you should be able to explain:
- the role and responsibilities of a paediatric first aider
- how to carry out a primary survey and why it matters, and when to call for help
- how to recognise someone who is unresponsive, and what the recovery position is for
- the principles of CPR for children and infants, and the role of an AED
- the signs of choking in a child or infant and what first aid is advised
- how to deal with bleeding and recognise shock
- what to do about burns, scalds, fractures and head or spinal injuries
- how to recognise and respond to asthma attacks, anaphylaxis, diabetic emergencies, seizures, meningitis and febrile convulsions
- the actions to take after poisoning, electric shock, or an object in the eye, ear or nose
- why accurate accident and incident records matter
Course content
Getting started: the role of the first aider
The course introduces what paediatric first aid is, how to reduce the risk of infection, the use of protective equipment and your responsibilities. It also covers accident reports and incident records.
Assessing the scene and the casualty
You learn how to survey the scene before you act, carry out a primary survey, assess consciousness and decide when to call for help.
Life-threatening emergencies
This module covers a child or infant who is unresponsive and not breathing normally, including the principles of CPR, choking, serious bleeding and shock.
Injuries
You look at injuries to bones, joints and muscles, head and spinal injuries, burns and scalds, electric shock, and foreign objects in the nose, ear or eye.
Illness and medical emergencies
This part covers diabetes, asthma, allergic reactions and anaphylaxis, meningitis, febrile convulsions, croup and seizures, as well as heat and cold illness, poisoning, and bites and stings.
Assessment, certificate and accreditation
You finish with an online multiple-choice assessment. If you pass, you can receive a certificate of completion for the online theory course issued by CareCertified.
The certificate shows that you completed the online theory course only. It is not a first aid qualification and it does not show that you can carry out first aid. Our courses are CPD accredited.
In an emergency
If a child is seriously ill or injured, call 999 straight away. Do not rely on this course for emergency advice.
How to apply
- Choose the course and complete the application form.
- A member of our team reviews your application manually.
- If you are approved, we email you with details of how to begin.
- Study at your own pace and take the online assessment.
More detail is on the how to apply page.
Related free care training courses
Frequently asked questions
Can you do paediatric first aid online?
You can learn the theory online, which is what this course provides. Practical skills such as infant and child CPR need to be learned and assessed in person. For EYFS purposes, the emergency paediatric first aid course must be taken face to face.
Does this course meet EYFS or Ofsted requirements?
No. It is online theory only, and we do not claim that it meets EYFS or Ofsted requirements. If you need a paediatric first aid certificate for a childcare setting, choose a course with face-to-face practical training.
Is the paediatric first aid course free?
Yes. There is no charge for the course, the assessment or the certificate of completion. You apply for a place, and every application is reviewed by a person.
How long does the course take?
Will I get a first aid certificate?
You can receive a certificate of completion for the online theory course. It is not a first aid qualification and does not show that you can carry out first aid.
What does "Level 3" mean in the course name?
It describes the depth of the theory content. It is not an Ofqual-regulated Level 3 award.
Is the course accredited?
Yes. Our courses are CPD accredited. Until this is confirmed, we do not describe the course as accredited.