DfE pushes ahead with new paediatric first aid rules

Jul 4, 2016

All newly qualified level 2 and 3 early years practitioners will need to hold a Paediatric First Aid certificate in order to be included in ratios, the government has confirmed.

The decision came after a consultation into the proposed changes, which found that 84% of respondents agreed with the new requirement. Under the changes, which will come into force in September, new staff will have to hold either a current Paediatric First Aid (PFA) or emergency PFA certificate. The Department for Education also confirmed that practitioners will be allowed a three month ‘grace’ period to complete PFA training after starting work with a new employer.

“Our proposals received a warm welcome from the sector,” said childcare minister Sam Gyimah when the changes were announced. “[This] will mean an extra 15,000 staff a year coming into the sector with first aid training, providing vital reassurance to parents that their children will be well cared for.”

The minister has also confirmed that the government will be introducing a voluntary quality assurance scheme for providers that have trained all of their staff in paediatric first aid. The quality mark will known as Millie’s Mark in memory of Millie Thompson who passed away following a choking incident at a nursery in Stockport in 2012.

“Nurseries will be able to apply for the mark later on this summer and the mark will help to provide parents with the assurance that their child is being cared for by safe and knowledgeable staff,” said the minister. “It is hoped that, over time, this initiative will help ensure that as many staff members as possible are trained in these important, life-saving skills.”

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