The existing requirements set out from the statutory framework for the EYFS remain in place where children aged 0 to 24 months are on site, stating that ‘at least one person who has a current Paediatric First Aid certificate must be on the premises and available at all times when children are present, and must accompany children on outings.’ The existing requirements remain unchanged for childminders as they are already required to have full Paediatric First Aid certification.
The requirement has been changed where children aged 2 to 5 years old are on site (with no children aged below 24 months) to a ‘best endeavours duty’ to have someone with a full Paediatric First Aid certificate on site. If all the steps set out in the guidance have been exhausted and the setting cannot meet the Paediatric First Aid requirement, they must carry out a written risk assessment and ensure that someone with a current 18 hour First Aid at Work or 6 hour Emergency PFA certificate is on site at all times. (New entrants of level 2 and 3 do not need to have completed a full Paediatric First Aid course within their first 3 months in order to be counted in staff to child ratios.)
If Paediatric First Aid certificate requalification training is prevented for reasons directly associated with COVID-19 or by complying with related government advice, the validity of current certificate may be extended to the 25th November 2020 at the latest. This extension applies to certificates which expired on or after the 16th March 2020. If required to do so, providers should be able to explain why the first aider hasn’t been able to requalify and they should be able to demonstrate what steps they have taken to access the training. Employers or the certificate holder must do their best to arrange requalification training at the earliest opportunity.
For the full updated guidance visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-early-years-and-childcare-closures/coronavirus-covid-19-early-years-and-childcare-closures