Update 05/06: Modification to Paediatric First Aid Requirements

The requirements in the EYFS on paediatric first aid certification have been modified and statutory guidance on EYFS has been published setting out what this means.

The existing requirement remains in place where children aged 0 to 24 months are on site. Paragraph 3.25 and Annex A of the EYFS set out the requirements, including that ‘at least one person who has a current paediatric first aid (PFA) certificate must be on the premises and available at all times when children are present, and must accompany children on outings.’ The existing requirements also remain unchanged for childminders, as they are already required to have full PFA certification.

The requirement is modified where children aged 2 to 5 are on site (with no children aged below 24 months) to a best endeavours duty to have someone with a full PFA certificate on site. If all steps set out in the guidance have been exhausted and settings cannot meet the PFA requirement, they must carry out a written risk assessment and ensure that someone with a current First Aid at Work or emergency PFA certificate is on site at all times. New entrants (level 2 and 3) will not need to have completed a full PFA course within their first 3 months in order to be counted in staff to child ratios.