Are you ready for the changes too
Paediatric First Aid???
Paediatric First Aid Training changes
First
aid training – what will be compulsory?
As you’ve
heard in the news recently, by 2016 all new nursery and pre-school staff will
be legally required to undergo Paediatric First Aid Training. But what will
this mean for early years providers? Does it affect everyone? And where can
more information be found?
The
background
New
proposals for first aid training in EYFS follow the tragic death of Millie
Thompson, who died after choking at her nursery in October 2012. After losing
their daughter in such a devastating way, Millie’s parents, Joanne and Dan
Thompson, embarked on a huge awareness campaign for change – a change to the
current rule that early years providers need to have just one paediatric first
aider available on site.
A
consultation by the Department for Education followed, reviewing in detail
first aid training in early years settings and collecting thoughts and opinions
from those involved in early years care to proposed amendments to the
framework.
What
will change?
New
rules which result in a change to the EYFS have been announced by the
government which affect paediatric first aid training in all early years’
settings. These changes come into force from the beginning of September 2016.
The consultation showed overwhelming agreement among those who responded with
the proposed changes.
There
is also the introduction of a voluntary accreditation scheme called ‘Millie’s
Mark’, which will be administrated by the National Day Nurseries Association.
What
are the changes to the EYFS?
As
of September 2016, all newly qualified level 2 or level 3 early
years/childcare staff must have an emergency paediatric first aid or a full
paediatric first aid (PFA) certificate, if they are to count towards
staff:child ratios under the early years foundation stage. There will be a
grace period of 3 months after starting work with a new employer in which to
attain the first aid training certification.
The
emergency first aid training course would be the equivalent of 1 day of
training and would need to be refreshed every 3 years in order for the staff
member to keep counting in the ratios.
There
will be an exception included in the new EYFS on the grounds of equal opportunities
that will allow disabled persons who are otherwise capable members of staff,
but who may not be able to complete the training, to count towards staff:child
ratios. It will be recommended that these staff members be required to attend
PFA training to absorb and learn what they can. Those that do attend PFA
training in these circumstances will receive a certificate of attendance.
According
to the Department for Education, this change will add approximately 15,000
additional trained early year’s professionals to nurseries and pre-schools
every year.
Key
Points for EYFS Changes:
- Applies from September
2016
- Relevant for newly
qualified level 2/3 childcare/EYFS staff
- Comprises 1 day of
training to attain either an Emergency Paediatric First Aid or full Paediatric
First Aid certificate
- Exceptions for disabled
staff members
where relevant
- 3 months grace period after initial
employment
- Revised EYFS documentation
to be published
-
Accreditation and ‘Millie’s
Mark’ Gold Standard Certificates
In
addition to the training requirements, there will be new certificate available
for nurseries. This will be appropriately entitled ‘Millie’s Mark’, and will be
given to nurseries that have been able to reach gold-standard levels.
The
accreditation scheme will be administrated and awarded by the National Day
Nursery Association, and the Gold Standard Millie’s Mark certificate will be
awarded to those providers where all members of staff have completed PFA
training. You can find out more about Millie’s Mark from the National Day
Nurseries Association.
