If you work with children in any capacity, there’s a good chance someone has mentioned paediatric first aid training to you at some point. Maybe it came up during an inspection, maybe a parent asked about it, or maybe you’ve just had a quiet nagging feeling that you should probably know more about it. Whatever brought you here, you’re in the right place.

This post breaks down exactly what paediatric first aid is, who needs it, what the courses involve, and why getting the right training from the right provider matters more than most people realise.

What Is Paediatric First Aid?

Paediatric first aid is first aid specifically designed for children and infants. It covers the same core principles as adult first aid, but with some crucial differences in technique. A child’s airway is narrower, their breathing rate is faster, and the force needed for CPR is very different from what you’d use on an adult. Getting those details wrong in a real emergency isn’t just unhelpful; it can cause harm.

Paediatric first aid training teaches you how to respond to the emergencies that are most common and most serious in children: choking, allergic reactions, seizures, loss of consciousness, and cardiac arrest, among others. It also covers the foundational skills you’d expect, like managing bleeding, dealing with burns, and recognising when a child needs urgent medical help.

The key word throughout is confidence. By the end of a good paediatric first aid course, you shouldn’t just know what to do in theory. You should feel genuinely ready to do it under pressure.

Who Needs Paediatric First Aid Training?

The short answer is: a lot more people than you might think.

Childcare settings and nurseries are the most obvious example. If you’re registered with Ofsted and you work in an early years setting, paediatric first aid isn’t optional. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework requires that at least one paediatric first aider is present. On the premises, on outings… at all times when children are present. Certificates must be renewed every three years.

Schools and out-of-school clubs also need qualified first aiders who can respond appropriately to children. Afterschool clubs, holiday programmes, youth groups, and sports teams all fall into this category.

Foster carers and childminders are often required to hold paediatric first aid qualifications as part of their registration requirements.

Parents and grandparents make up a significant portion of our course attendees, and honestly, it’s easy to see why. You don’t need to be working with children professionally to want the skills to help if something goes wrong.

Healthcare team such as GP practices and community health teams, may also need refreshers in paediatric care to maintain compliance.

If any of those descriptions sound like you or your team, keep reading.

What’s the Difference Between EPFA and PFA?

There are two main paediatric first aid qualifications, and it’s worth knowing the difference before you book anything.

Emergency Paediatric First Aid (EPFA) is a one-day course, running around six hours. It covers the essentials: CPR for infants and children, choking, unconsciousness, and recognising when to call for emergency services. It’s the minimum requirement for many Ofsted-registered settings.

Paediatric First Aid (PFA) is the more comprehensive option. It’s two days (typically a day online followed by a day face-to-face) and goes into more depth. Everything covered in the EPFA, plus more detailed management of injuries, illnesses, and medical conditions in children. It’s the qualification required for paediatric first aiders in most early years settings under the full EYFS framework.

If you’re not sure which one applies to you, it’s worth checking your regulatory requirements. It’s something we’re happy to talk through with you before you commit to anything.

Why Paramedic-Led Training Makes a Difference

Here’s something worth thinking about: not all paediatric first aid courses are the same.

The content covered in an accredited course will be broadly similar regardless of who delivers it. But the quality of the teaching, the realism of the scenarios, and the confidence you leave with can vary enormously depending on who’s standing at the front of the room.

At Respire Medical Services, a qualified paramedic delivers every course. Not a healthcare worker who completed a train-the-trainer programme, not a first aid enthusiast with a certificate. A specialist paramedic practitioner with a master’s in advanced clinical practice, an ALS instructor qualification, and years of real emergency experience.

That matters for a few reasons.

When you’re learning how to manage a choking infant, you want to know that the person teaching you has actually dealt with that situation in the real world. You want to understand not just the steps, but why each step matters, what it feels like when it’s working, and what to do if it’s not. That kind of depth only comes from genuine clinical experience, and it’s the difference between training that ticks a box and training that actually prepares you.

It also means that when you have questions, and you will have questions, you’re getting answers from someone who really knows. Not someone who’s going to say “that’s a great question, let me check the manual.”

What to Expect From a Paediatric First Aid Course With Respire

Our courses are practical, hands-on, and deliberately designed to feel approachable. We know people feel a bit daunted walking into a first aid course for the first time, particularly if you’re worried about “doing it wrong” in front of other people. We see that all the time, and it’s something we work hard to address from the moment the day starts.

You’ll work with CPR mannequins scaled to infants and children, practice on airway models, and work through real scenarios that reflect the kinds of situations you’re actually likely to face. The goal isn’t to make you feel like a trained paramedic by the end of the day. It’s to make you feel confident that you can help, and that your help could genuinely make a difference.

Classes are kept deliberately small (no more than 12 participants) so that there’s enough time for everyone to have enough hands-on practice to leave feeling competent, not just certified.

If you or a team member struggles with any part of the assessment, we don’t just move on. We work through it together until you’re comfortable, because a certificate of attendance isn’t the same as being genuinely prepared.

How Often Do I need to renew my Paediatric First Aid Training?

Paediatric first aid certificates are valid for three years. After that, we need to renew them to remain compliant, whether that’s for Ofsted, CQC, or your own internal policies.

It’s worth building that renewal into your annual planning rather than scrambling when a certificate is about to expire. We’re happy to work with childcare providers and other settings to schedule training around their calendar, minimising disruption to normal operations.

Ready to Train your Team?

Whether you’re looking to get compliant for the first time, renew certificates that are coming up for renewal, or just make sure your team feels genuinely prepared, we’re here to help.

Both our Emergency Paediatric First Aid (EPFA) and full Paediatric First Aid (PFA) courses are available in and around Bracknell, with flexible scheduling to suit busy teams. If you’d like to bring training to your setting rather than having staff travel to us, that’s something we can arrange too.

Book your place or get in touch  We’ll find a course that works for you.

Because when it comes to the children in your care, preparedness isn’t just a compliance requirement. It’s the right thing to do.