The requirement in plain English
The EYFS statutory framework requires at least one person who holds a current, full Paediatric First Aid (PFA) certificate to be on the premises and available at all times children are present, and to accompany children on outings too. That certificate has to come from the full 12-hour course. A shorter first aid qualification, including our own Emergency First Aid at Work course, does not meet this requirement, it's built for general workplaces, not for infants and young children.
Why "any first aid course" isn't good enough
General workplace first aid courses are built around adult scenarios: adult CPR technique, adult choking response, adult-sized injuries. Paediatric First Aid covers the same emergencies with infant and child-specific technique, because compressions, back blows and airway management are genuinely different for a baby than for an adult. An Ofsted inspector checking your first aid cover isn't looking for a certificate, they're looking for the right certificate.
The real challenge: cover, not just certificates
Getting one member of staff through a Paediatric First Aid course is the easy part. The requirement is that a certificate holder is present at all times children are on site, which in practice means covering every shift, every holiday, every day someone calls in sick, and every outing. Most settings we work with train more staff than the bare legal minimum for exactly this reason, one qualified person on annual leave shouldn't mean your setting is technically non-compliant for a week.
A simple cover-planning checklist
- Map your rota against certificate holders. Is there a shift, even an early or late one, with nobody qualified on site?
- Check outings separately. A certificate holder needs to travel with the group, not just be present back at the setting.
- Flag every renewal date 2-3 months out. Certificates run for 3 years, book renewal training before expiry, not after.
- Train new starters early. Anyone gaining an early years qualification from 30 June 2016 onward needs a paediatric first aid certificate to count in ratio.
Full course vs Emergency Paediatric First Aid
| Course | Length | Meets EYFS "on premises" requirement? | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paediatric First Aid (Level 3) | 12 hours / 2 days | Yes | Anyone who could be left in sole charge of children |
| Emergency Paediatric First Aid | ~6 hours / 1 day | Not on its own | Assistants not in sole charge, sports coaches, activity leaders, parents |
What we deliver differently
Our Level 3 Paediatric First Aid course is EYFS and Ofsted compliant, delivered as a blend of online and in-person training with small groups so every learner gets real, hands-on practice on infant and child manikins rather than watching from the back. Renewal is every 3 years, and we'll help you plan training dates around your rota rather than around ours.
Sources
Related courses
Frequently asked questions
Does EFAW count for EYFS paediatric first aid?
No. EFAW is built for general workplaces and does not cover infant and child-specific first aid. EYFS requires the full 12-hour Level 3 Paediatric First Aid qualification, or Emergency Paediatric First Aid only where that shorter course is specifically allowed.
How many staff need a full Paediatric First Aid certificate?
Enough that at least one certificate holder is on the premises and available at all times children are present, including during outings, and enough to cover holiday, sickness and shift patterns without a gap. Most settings train more than the bare minimum for this reason.
What happens if a certificate lapses before renewal?
The setting loses its qualified cover the moment the 3-year certificate expires, which is a compliance gap an Ofsted inspection can flag. Booking renewal training before the expiry date, not after, avoids the gap entirely.
Do assistants and bank staff need the full course too?
Anyone who could be left in sole charge of children needs the full 12-hour qualification. Staff who are never left in sole charge, such as some casual or supporting roles, may be covered by Emergency Paediatric First Aid instead, but we'll confirm this against your specific rota and roles.