Paediatric first aid training matters because children are not simply smaller adults. An infant who is choking, a child having a seizure, a pupil with a severe allergic reaction or a young player who collapses during sport needs an adult nearby who can stay calm, recognise the emergency and act while professional help is on the way.

For some organisations, child first aid training is part of a formal regulatory duty. For others, it is a practical duty of care. Either way, the principle is the same: if adults are responsible for children, they should know how to respond to the most likely emergencies involving those children.

This guide explains who can benefit from paediatric first aid training in Ireland, how it differs from general workplace first aid, what early years providers need to consider, and how to choose training that is useful rather than just a certificate.

Why Paediatric First Aid Is Different

Children and infants have different anatomy, physiology and emergency patterns from adults. Airway size, breathing patterns, circulation, body temperature, communication, fear and the ability to explain symptoms all differ. A young child may not be able to describe pain, dizziness, breathing difficulty or an allergic reaction clearly.

Paediatric first aid training takes those differences seriously. It teaches age-appropriate recognition and response, including how to assess a child, how to respond to choking, how CPR and AED use differ by age group, how to manage bleeding and burns, and how to respond to common childhood medical emergencies.

The point is not to turn staff, parents or volunteers into medical practitioners. First aid is immediate help given until professional assistance is available. Good training teaches what to do, what not to do, when to call 112 or 999, and how to hand over useful information.

Early Years Services and Regulation 25

Regulation 25 of the Child Care Act 1991 (Early Years Services) Regulations 2016 requires a registered provider to ensure that a person trained in first aid for children is, at all times, immediately available to children attending the pre-school service. It also requires a suitably equipped first aid box for children to be safely stored in an easily accessible and conspicuous position and available at all times.

Tusla's first aid training guidance for early years services states that the First Aid Responder Education and Training Standard established by PHECC is recognised by Tusla as the first aid course for children that meets the regulatory requirement.

That distinction is important. A paediatric first aid or child-focused CPR course may be very useful, but a registered early years provider should not assume that every paediatric course automatically satisfies Regulation 25. Providers should confirm that the qualification they rely on is accepted for their regulatory purpose and that it remains in date.

Tusla's quality and regulatory material also makes clear that the number of people trained in first aid for children should be based on the service's risk assessment, including the size of the service and hazards identified. One trained person may meet the wording in a narrow sense, but the roster must still cover breaks, outings, sickness, annual leave, opening hours and room arrangements.

Workplace First Aid and PHECC FAR

The HSA's first aid guidance states that the PHECC First Aid Response standard is the recognised standard for occupational first aid in workplaces. Employers decide the number of occupational first aiders through risk assessment, considering the work, hazards, number of employees, location, shift patterns and access to medical services.

A paediatric first aid course does not automatically replace occupational first aid duties. A school, creche, sports business or activity provider may need both: occupational first aid arrangements for employees and child-focused first aid training for the children in its care.

Where a workplace mainly serves children, the first aid assessment should consider both groups. Staff can be injured at work, and children can become ill or injured while being supervised. The training plan should not ignore either.

Do Not Confuse Course Names

Course names can be confusing. Paediatric first aid, child first aid, Heartsaver, CPR and AED, PHECC FAR and workplace first aid are not always the same thing. Before booking, the organisation should decide what problem it is trying to solve: regulatory compliance, workplace first aid cover, child-focused emergency skills, public confidence, or refresher awareness.

For regulated early years services, the safest approach is to check the exact certificate, awarding body, trainer approval and current Tusla position before relying on a course for compliance. For clubs, schools and community organisations, the governing body, insurer or internal policy may set additional expectations even where general law does not name a specific course.

For parents and family members, the decision is usually more practical. They want to know what to do if a child chokes, stops breathing, has a seizure, is badly burned, reacts to food, falls heavily or becomes suddenly unwell. A course that gives real practice is usually more valuable than one that is only watched online.

Who Should Consider Paediatric First Aid Training

Childcare staff are the most obvious group. Creche staff, preschool staff, Montessori practitioners, childminders, after-school workers and room leaders may face choking, falls, allergic reactions, seizures, asthma, bleeding, burns or sudden illness during the working day.

School staff can also benefit. Teachers, SNAs, secretaries, caretakers, lunchtime supervisors, bus escorts and after-school staff may be the nearest adults when a child becomes unwell. Schools should consider pupils with allergies, asthma, epilepsy, diabetes, mobility needs or complex care plans.

Sports coaches and youth leaders are another important group. GAA, soccer, rugby, swimming, gymnastics, athletics, martial arts, dance, scouting, youth clubs and summer camps all involve children being active, sometimes away from parents and sometimes at venues where emergency help may take time to arrive.

Parents, grandparents, babysitters and family members may not need a certificate for regulatory reasons, but they often gain real confidence from training. Many childhood emergencies happen at home: choking, falls, burns, fever-related events, poisoning, drowning risks or allergic reactions.

Hospitality, leisure and transport settings should also think about child first aid where children are regular users. Hotels, activity centres, soft play centres, swimming pools, school transport operators and visitor attractions may need staff who can respond calmly while emergency services are contacted.

Schools and Child-Focused Risk Assessment

Schools should consider paediatric first aid as part of their wider safety arrangements. The issue is not only whether there is a first aid box in the office. Children move between classrooms, yards, sports areas, buses, school tours, after-school clubs and events. The first aid arrangement should work across the whole day.

A school with pupils who have asthma, epilepsy, diabetes, allergies or mobility needs should link training to care plans and emergency procedures. Staff should know who holds emergency medication, who contacts parents or guardians, who calls emergency services and how information is passed to an ambulance crew.

Substitute teachers and temporary staff should also receive enough local information to respond. They may not need the same depth of training as nominated first aiders, but they should know where help is, how to call it and what immediate action is expected.

Sports Clubs, Camps and Youth Activities

Youth sport and activity settings need practical planning because incidents often happen away from a main building. A child may be injured on a pitch, in a changing room, beside a pool, on a hike, in a hall or during travel. The first aid kit, emergency contacts and trained adult must be available where the activity actually takes place.

Coaches and youth leaders should know the emergency access point for the venue, the Eircode, how to direct an ambulance, how to manage the rest of the group, and who contacts parents or guardians. These details sound administrative until an emergency happens.

Clubs should check their governing body and insurance requirements. Some organisations require a named first aider, a particular course, a maintained AED or a specific event medical plan. A paediatric course can support child safety, but it should fit the club's formal obligations.

What Good Paediatric First Aid Training Covers

A useful course should cover scene safety, infection control, emergency calls, assessment of a child or infant, CPR, AED use, choking, recovery position, bleeding, shock, burns, fractures, head injuries, eye injuries, poisoning, drowning, bites and stings, seizures, asthma, diabetes, fainting and severe allergic reactions.

Training should also cover communication. Children may be frightened, non-verbal, distressed or unable to explain what has happened. The adult needs to reassure the child, manage other children nearby, communicate with colleagues and give clear information to parents, guardians and emergency services.

Practical training matters. CPR, AED use, choking response and bandaging cannot be learned properly by reading alone. Learners should practise with appropriate infant and child manikins and receive correction from the instructor.

A good course should also teach judgement. Not every incident is dramatic, but a trained adult should know when a minor injury can be managed locally, when a parent or guardian needs to be contacted, when the child should be medically assessed, and when emergency services should be called immediately.

Training should avoid overconfidence. First aiders are not there to diagnose, prescribe or replace medical care. Their role is to preserve life, prevent the condition worsening, promote recovery where possible, reassure the child, and hand over accurate information.

Online, Classroom and Blended Training

Online paediatric first aid training can be useful for awareness. It can introduce terminology, common emergencies, prevention and basic response principles. It is convenient for parents, volunteers or staff who need a first introduction.

However, online-only learning has clear limits. It cannot properly assess chest compressions, rescue breaths, choking techniques, AED pad placement, bandaging, or whether a learner can perform under pressure. For regulated services or roles where practical competence is required, face-to-face practical assessment is usually essential.

Blended training can work well when theory is completed online and practical skills are assessed in person. The employer or provider should check that the blended model is accepted for the purpose they need, especially in Tusla-regulated early years services.

Choosing the Right Course

The right course depends on why the training is needed. If the purpose is Tusla Regulation 25 compliance, the provider should confirm that the course meets Tusla's current expectations. If the purpose is occupational first aid for employees, the employer should consider PHECC FAR requirements and HSA guidance.

If the purpose is child-focused confidence for parents, sports clubs, community groups or school staff, a paediatric first aid and CPR course may be the right fit. The course should still include practical skills, clear emergency response guidance and current recognised teaching methods.

Phoenix STS provides a Paediatric First Aid and Heartsaver AED Course for childcare workers, teachers, parents, sports coaches and others who work with children. It includes hands-on practice with infant and child manikins and AED training.

First Aid Is Also About Prevention

Good first aid training does more than teach emergency response. It helps adults notice hazards before a child is injured. That might include unsafe food size for toddlers, access to small objects, poor supervision near water, trip hazards, unsafe storage of chemicals, unlabelled medication or activities that do not match the child's ability.

In early years and school settings, prevention should be linked to risk assessment, supervision, attendance records, care plans, accident records and communication with parents or guardians. First aid sits inside a wider safety system.

For children with known medical needs, the first aid plan should connect with the individual care plan. Allergies, epilepsy, diabetes, asthma, medication arrangements and emergency contacts should not be left to memory.

Emergency Plans and Communication

First aid training works best when the organisation has clear emergency procedures. Staff should know who takes charge, who calls 112 or 999, who retrieves the AED or first aid kit, who supervises the other children, who contacts parents or guardians, and where the ambulance should be directed.

Communication with children matters. A frightened child may become quieter, more distressed or less cooperative. A trained adult should speak calmly, use simple language, avoid unnecessary alarm and protect the child's dignity, especially where treatment happens in front of peers.

Communication with parents and guardians also matters. The record should explain what happened, what first aid was given, what advice was provided and whether medical review was recommended. Vague notes can create confusion later.

First Aid Boxes, Records and Outings

Early years providers must have a suitable first aid box for children. More generally, any organisation caring for children should know where first aid supplies are kept, who checks them, how expired or used items are replaced, and how access is managed so children cannot reach inappropriate items.

Records are part of good practice. Services should record accidents, treatment given, who provided first aid, parent or guardian notification, and any follow-up required. Records should be factual and respectful, especially where health information is involved.

Outings need separate thought. A first aider and first aid supplies may be available in the building, but that does not help if the group is at a park, swimming pool, match or school tour. Providers should plan who carries the kit, who holds emergency contacts and who has the relevant training.

Managing Certificate Expiry

Training is only useful for compliance if certificates remain current. Providers should keep a training matrix showing the course, staff member, certificate date, expiry date and renewal plan. This is especially important in early years services, where a lapse can affect Regulation 25 compliance.

Relying on one person creates avoidable risk. If that person leaves, changes hours, goes on maternity leave, is absent through illness or is away on an outing, the service may be exposed. A safer approach is to train enough people to cover normal and foreseeable absences.

Refresher timing depends on the certificate and the purpose of the course. PHECC FAR certification is valid for two years. Other course certificates may have their own validity periods. Employers and providers should track the actual certificate they hold rather than assuming all first aid courses have the same renewal period.

Common Mistakes

The first mistake is relying on one trained person without considering rosters. If that person is on a break, off sick, on annual leave or away on an outing, the arrangement may fail when needed.

The second mistake is assuming an adult workplace first aid course is enough for child-focused settings. Adult skills are valuable, but paediatric emergencies involve different techniques, communication and risks.

The third mistake is relying on online-only training where practical competence is needed. Awareness is useful, but emergency skills need practice. The fourth mistake is failing to track certificate expiry dates, especially in regulated settings.

How Phoenix STS Can Help

Phoenix STS delivers paediatric first aid and AED training for childcare providers, schools, sports clubs, community groups, parents and organisations working with children across Ireland. Training can be delivered on site or through public course dates where available.

We also provide wider first aid onsite courses, health and safety training, fire safety training and workplace safety support for Irish organisations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is paediatric first aid legally required in Ireland?

For Tusla-registered early years services, Regulation 25 requires a person trained in first aid for children to be immediately available at all times. Other organisations should assess their own duties, risks and governing body requirements.

Does every paediatric first aid course meet Tusla Regulation 25?

No. Tusla recognises PHECC FAR as the first aid course for children that meets the regulatory requirement. Providers should confirm that the course they rely on is accepted for their service.

Can paediatric first aid be completed online?

Online training can support awareness, but practical skills such as CPR, AED use and choking response should be practised and assessed in person where competence is required.

Who benefits most from paediatric first aid training?

Childcare staff, teachers, SNAs, childminders, sports coaches, youth leaders, parents, grandparents, babysitters and activity providers can all benefit where they care for or supervise children.

Contact Phoenix STS

To arrange paediatric first aid training, contact Phoenix STS on 043 334 9611 or use the Phoenix STS contact page.

This article is for general information only and is not medical, legal or regulatory advice. First aid arrangements should be based on your service type, risk assessment, regulatory duties, current guidance and competent advice where required.