If you work with children — in a nursery, school, childcare setting, or as a childminder — knowing how to respond to a medical emergency could be the difference between a good outcome and a devastating one. But that knowledge doesn’t come from instinct. It comes from proper, accredited training.
A paediatric first aid course equips you with the skills to recognise and manage medical emergencies involving infants and children — using techniques specifically adapted for younger patients, not just scaled-down adult first aid. This guide covers everything you need to know: what the qualification involves, who needs it, how long it takes, and how to get certified with a trusted provider.
What Is a Paediatric First Aid Course?
A paediatric first aid course is a specialist training programme that teaches you how to respond to life-threatening emergencies involving children (up to the age of puberty) and infants (under 12 months). The techniques differ meaningfully from adult first aid — from the correct rate and depth of chest compressions for a baby, to how you safely clear a choking infant’s airway.
The most widely recognised UK qualification is the Highfield Level 3 Award in Paediatric First Aid (RQF) — a 2-day, in-person course that satisfies the requirements of Ofsted and the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) statutory framework. This is the qualification Ascend Learning delivers, and it’s the one you need if you work in a regulated childcare or early years setting.
Who Needs Paediatric First Aid Training?
The most direct answer: anyone who regularly cares for or works with children as part of their role. In many settings, it is also a legal or regulatory requirement.
Under the EYFS statutory framework, at least one person holding a valid full paediatric first aid certificate must be present at all times whenever children are being cared for in an early years setting. Ofsted checks for this during registration visits and inspections — and the absence of a current certificate can result in a safeguarding concern being raised.
The following groups specifically need this qualification:
- Nursery practitioners and early years staff — Required to satisfy Ofsted and EYFS compliance
- Childminders — A current paediatric first aid certificate is a condition of Ofsted registration
- Teaching assistants and school staff — Increasingly expected by schools and multi-academy trusts, particularly for staff working with younger year groups
- Sports coaches and youth activity leaders — Anyone running after-school clubs, holiday programmes, or youth sports teams
- Nannies and au pairs — Expected as standard by families and most nanny agencies
- Parents and grandparents — No requirement, but a paediatric first aid course is one of the most practical things a parent can learn
If you’re unsure whether your setting requires the full 2-day Level 3 qualification or the shorter emergency first aid course, it’s always worth checking your Ofsted registration conditions — or speaking to us directly.
What Does a Paediatric First Aid Course Cover?
The Highfield Level 3 Award covers a comprehensive range of emergency scenarios relevant to infants and children. Content includes:
- Primary survey and emergency response — Assessing a child’s condition and initiating the right emergency actions
- CPR for infants and children — Age-specific chest compressions and rescue breathing techniques
- Choking — Correctly clearing an obstructed airway in a baby or child
- Unconsciousness and recovery position — Adapted for younger patients
- Febrile seizures and epilepsy — Recognising and safely managing fits in children
- Anaphylaxis — Using an adrenaline auto-injector (EpiPen) and managing severe allergic reactions
- Bleeding and wound care — Controlling blood loss and dressing wounds
- Burns and scalds — Immediate treatment steps for children
- Head injuries — Recognising signs of concussion and knowing when to escalate to emergency services
- Fractures and sprains — Immobilisation and safe management
- Meningitis awareness — Early warning signs to look out for in young children
By the end of the course, every learner will have both the aid knowledge and the hands-on practical confidence to act correctly in a real emergency involving a child or infant.
How Long Is the Course — and How Long Does the Certificate Last?
The Highfield Level 3 Award in Paediatric First Aid (RQF) runs over 2 full days. The format combines classroom theory with practical, scenario-based exercises using manikins — so you leave with real skills, not just a folder of notes.
It’s worth noting there is a separate Emergency Paediatric First Aid qualification (typically 1 day), which covers the core emergency topics. However, this shorter qualification does not satisfy the full requirements for Ofsted-regulated childcare settings. If you work in a nursery, as a childminder, or in any other registered early years environment, the full 2-day Level 3 qualification is what you need.
Certificates are valid for 3 years. After that, a renewal or refresher course is required to maintain compliance. We recommend booking your renewal before the certificate expires — even a short gap in coverage can create compliance issues for your setting.
Our Paediatric First Aid Course at Ascend Learning
At Ascend Learning, we deliver the Highfield Level 3 Award in Paediatric First Aid (RQF) — a qualification fully recognised by Ofsted and designed to meet all current EYFS requirements.
Training is delivered by experienced, qualified trainers with real backgrounds in health, safety, and education — people who can answer your questions, adapt to your team, and deliver a session that actually sticks.
What’s included when you book:
- 2-day in-person paediatric first aid training
- Hands-on practical sessions using manikins and real-world scenarios
- Full course materials provided
- Highfield certification valid for 3 years
- Pre- and post-training support from our team
We’re based in Doncaster, South Yorkshire, and deliver training at our own venue. We also offer on-site group training, bringing the course directly to your nursery, school, or childcare setting anywhere in the UK. For organisations that need to certify multiple members of staff, this is often the most practical and cost-effective option — no travel time, no juggling of shift patterns, and the training can be shaped around your setting.
If you need to cover broader first aid requirements as well as paediatric, we also offer the Emergency First Aid at Work (Level 3 RQF) as a 1-day standalone course.
Why Train With Ascend Learning?
Ascend Learning is a well-established workplace training provider with a 4.9-star Google rating from more than 56 verified reviews. Our founder Tony is a qualified teacher and trainer with extensive experience in health, safety, and compliance training — including first aid, safeguarding, and physical intervention.
We’re not a large anonymous training company. When you train with us, you deal with real people who know their subject and are invested in your team getting the most from the day. Sessions are practical and engaging — built around real emergency scenarios, not passive note-taking.
We also deliver Introduction to Safeguarding Children and a full range of health and safety courses — which means we can handle multiple training requirements for your organisation in one place, with a provider your team already knows and trusts.
Book Your Paediatric First Aid Course Today
Whether you’re a nursery manager needing to bring a new member of staff into compliance, a childminder approaching renewal, or a school looking to upskill a group of staff — Ascend Learning can help.
We deliver paediatric first aid training in Doncaster, across South Yorkshire, and nationwide via on-site group bookings. To check upcoming course dates, discuss group rates, or arrange a dedicated session at your venue, get in touch!