Choosing between 1 day or 2-day Paediatric First Aid
Choosing between the 1‑day Emergency Paediatric First Aid course and the 2‑day Full Paediatric First Aid course depends on your role and any legal requirements you must meet.
The 2‑day course is usually required for professional childcarers, including nurseries, childminders, nannies, and anyone needing EYFS‑compliant or Ofsted‑recognised training. The 1‑day course is more suitable for parents, families, babysitters, or staff in low‑risk roles who only need essential emergency skills.
The 1‑day option focuses on urgent, life‑saving responses such as CPR, choking, bleeding, and shock, while the 2‑day course provides deeper, comprehensive training on illnesses, injuries, and wider emergency protocols.
Choose the 2‑day course if you work in an early years setting or act as a designated first aider, and choose the 1‑day course if you simply need a basic, quick qualification for home or low‑risk environments.
Both courses typically offer certification valid for three years, and some providers offer blended 2‑day options combining online learning with practical classroom training.
Table: Comparing 1-day vs 2-day Paediatric First Aid Course
| Feature | 1-Day Paediatric First Aid | 2-Day Paediatric First Aid |
|---|---|---|
| Course Length | 6–7 hours | 12–14 hours |
| Qualification | Emergency Paediatric First Aid (EPFA) | Full Paediatric First Aid (PFA) |
| Best For | Low-risk settings, support staff, babysitters | Ofsted-registered settings, nurseries, childminders |
| Covers Emergency Situations | Yes | Yes |
| Covers Full Paediatric First Aid Syllabus | Limited | Yes |
| CPR Training Included | Yes | Yes |
| Anaphylaxis & Seizures | Basic | Comprehensive |
| Burns, Fractures & Head Injuries | Basic overview | In-depth practical training |
| Choking Management | Yes | Yes |
| Practical Assessments | Basic | Comprehensive |
| Meets Ofsted Requirements | Some roles only | Yes |
| Suitable For Childcare Registration | Usually No | Yes |
| Confidence Level After Training | Basic emergency response | Higher confidence & competence |
| Ideal For | Schools, parents, support roles | Nurseries, early years staff, childminders |
| Refresher Frequency | Every 3 years | Every 3 years |
| Main Advantage | Faster & lower cost | Full compliance & deeper practical skills |
| Main Limitation | Limited depth | Longer time commitment |
Important Point
The 1-day Paediatric First Aid course provides essential emergency first aid skills in a short amount of time. It’s best suited for parents, School staff, occasional carers, and volunteers who need basic training. The 2-day Paediatric First Aid course goes deeper and offers full, professional-level training (Nursery staff, childminders). It’s a better choice for people who work with children every day.
What is Paediatric First Aid Training?
Paediatric First Aid Training teaches you what to do in an emergency involving babies and children. It is different from adult first aid because children’s bodies are smaller and more delicate. This training explains how to deal with situations like choking, breathing problems, injuries, and signs of serious illness. It usually covers children from birth up to 16 years old.
The 1-Day Paediatric First Aid Course
Course Length and Format
This course lasts 6 to 8 hours and is usually done in one full day. It’s a fast-paced course, great for people who need a quick certificate or a refresher.
What You Learn
The course covers important first aid skills, such as:
- Basic life support for babies and children
- What to do if a child is choking
- How to treat common injuries
- Recognising signs of serious illness
- Caring for cuts and bleeding
- What to do during a seizure
- How to respond to allergic reactions and anaphylaxis
Hands-On Practice
Even though it’s a short course, you still get to practise using CPR manikins and take part in role-play situations. There is less time for personal feedback or repeating tasks, but the basics are well covered.
Certificate
You get a certificate at the end, valid for 3 years. It meets the basic rules for many childcare settings.
Who is should take the course?
1-Day Paediatric First Aid Training is suitable for:
- School staff.
- Nursery and preschool workers.
- Childminders and nannies.
- Parents and carers.
- Babysitters.
Anyone working with or caring for babies and young children.
The 2-Day Paediatric First Aid Course
Longer Training Time
This course takes 12 to 16 hours, usually over two full days or split into smaller sessions. This gives more time to understand and practise everything in detail.
What You Learn (Extra Topics)
Along with topics in the 1-day course above, you’ll also learn about:
Advanced CPR and rescue techniques
- How a child’s body works (basic anatomy and physiology)
- How to check and treat different injuries in more detail
- Becoming first aid for children
- Different ways to place children in the recovery position
- How to use an automated defibrillator (AED)
- How to handle long-term medical problems like asthma or diabetes
- What to do in hot or cold weather emergencies (like heatstroke or hypothermia)
Hands-On Practice
There is plenty of time for practical learning. You will practise CPR, choking procedures, bandaging, and more. There’s also more time for feedback, questions, and building real confidence in your skills.
Certificate
When you successfully complete the course, you’ll receive a full Paediatric First Aid certificate. This is valid for 3 years and meets Ofsted and Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) requirements.
Who is should take the course?
2-Day Paediatric First Aid Training is suitable for:
- Nursery and preschool staff
- Childminders and nannies (Ofsted-registered)
- Primary school teachers and teaching assistants
- Early years professionals
- Anyone needing a full paediatric first aid certificate for work with babies and children
- Those meeting EYFS and Ofsted requirements.
Cost Considerations
The 2-day course usually costs more than the 1-day course because it takes longer and includes more resources. However, the cost per hour is often better value in the longer course. In many cases, employers will pay for this training, especially for people working in childcare.
Regulatory Requirements
Different sectors have varying requirements for paediatric first aid certification. Many nurseries and schools require staff to have completed specific levels of training, often favouring the more comprehensive 2-day course. It's essential to check your specific workplace or regulatory requirements before choosing a course.
Making Your Decision
When choosing between the 1-day and 2-day paediatric first aid courses, think about:
- Your role: Childcare professionals often need the full 2-day course. Parents or occasional carers might find the 1-day course enough.
- How you learn: Some people like a short, focused session. Others prefer more time to learn at a relaxed pace.
- Your schedule: Make sure you have time for the course itself, and any prep or follow-up if needed.
- Your budget: Think about the course fee and any time off work.
- Future plans: If you may need a higher level of training later, it might be better to start with the 2-day course now.
Ofsted Requirements for 1-Day and 2-Day Paediatric First Aid Training
Ofsted, the UK’s Office for Standards in Education, has clear rules for Paediatric First Aid Training. These rules help keep children safe in early years settings like nurseries and childminders.
The training must follow the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework. The 1-day and 2-day courses meet different needs depending on who is taking the course and their role.
Below is a summary of what Ofsted expects from each type of course.
Ofsted Requirements for Both Courses
Ofsted has certain rules that apply to both the 1-day and 2-day Paediatric First Aid courses. These rules make sure children are safe and that staff are properly trained.
What Ofsted expects:
Always Available: There must always be at least one person with a valid Paediatric First Aid (PFA) certificate on site when children are present, including during trips or outings.
Right for the Role:
The training must be suitable for people looking after babies and young children. It should cover first aid for different age groups.
Certificate Renewal:
First aid certificates must be renewed every 3 years to keep skills up to date.
Staff Ratios:
Anyone with a Level 2 or 3 childcare qualification (gained after 30 June 2016) must get a PFA certificate -either the full or 1-day version – within 3 months of starting work.
This is needed for them to count in staff-to-child ratios.
Fast Response:
Employers must carry out a first aid needs assessment to make sure someone trained in paediatric first aid can respond quickly in an emergency.
This includes thinking about how many children and staff are present, and how the building is set out.
Specific Ofsted Requirements for Each Course
Ofsted requires at least one person with a full 12-hour Paediatric First Aid (PFA) certificate to be on-site or on outings at all times when children are present. The 2-day course meets all statutory EYFS requirements for staff, while 1-day training is usually only sufficient for emergency cover or specific assistants
1-Day Emergency Paediatric First Aid (6 Hours)
Ofsted usually requires the full 12‑hour Paediatric First Aid (PFA) qualification for early years settings.
The shorter 1‑day Emergency Paediatric First Aid (EPFA) course is only suitable for low‑risk roles or as partial support to the full qualification, but it typically doesn’t meet EYFS or childcare registration requirements.
- Suitable for assistants, volunteers, support staff, or nannies on the Ofsted voluntary register.
- Generally does not meet full EYFS requirements for lead staff, childminders, or anyone in sole charge of children.
- Covers essential emergency skills including infant/child CPR, choking, unconsciousness, and emergency response.
- Requires a minimum of 6 hours of practical, face‑to‑face training.
- Certificate is valid for 3 years.
- Most nurseries, childminders, and early years settings require the full 12‑hour Paediatric First Aid qualification.
Supplementary staff: In nurseries and schools, 1‑day trained staff can support the primary first aider. Since September 2016, all newly qualified Level 2 or Level 3 practitioners must hold at least the 1‑day EPFA certificate for their hours to count toward staff‑to‑child ratios.
2-Day Paediatric First Aid (12 Hours)
Ofsted requires at least one person with a full, valid 12‑hour Paediatric First Aid (PFA) certificate to be on‑site whenever children are present, including during outings.
The 2‑day course must cover all required EYFS topics, include practical face‑to‑face training, and be renewed every three years.
- Ofsted Recognition: Fully compliant for registered childminders, nursery staff, early years practitioners, and those working in EYFS settings.
- Important Requirement: Meets the full EYFS and Ofsted paediatric first aid requirements for lead staff and those in sole charge of children.
- Course Content: Covers comprehensive paediatric first aid skills including CPR, choking, seizures, anaphylaxis, fractures, burns, bleeding, medical emergencies, and managing illnesses and injuries in children and infants.
- Training Format: Typically delivered over 2 days through a combination of practical and theory-based learning (minimum 12 hours total), or via blended learning with 6 hours online and 6 hours face-to-face practical training.
- Certificate Validity: Valid for 3 years.
To meet Ofsted standards, paediatric first aid training must cover infants and children, including CPR, choking, unconsciousness, major medical emergencies, and common injuries. It must also teach correct first aid procedures, safe equipment use, and how to record and report accidents and incidents.
Why the Difference Matters
The 1-day course is a good choice for people who need basic first aid skills but are not the main carers—like nannies who are on the voluntary part of the Ofsted Childcare Register.
However, it does not fully meet the EYFS (Early Years Foundation Stage) requirements for places where a full Paediatric First Aid certificate is needed.
The 2-day course covers more topics and gives staff—like childminders or nursery workers—the full training they need to deal with a wider range of emergencies. That’s why the 2-day course is essential for meeting Ofsted rules in most early years settings.
Final Thoughts
Ofsted’s requirements ensure that early years providers are prepared for emergencies, with the 1-day course offering basic skills for supplementary roles and the 2-day course providing comprehensive training for those in primary caregiving positions.
Choosing the right course depends on your role and the specific needs of your setting, but both must meet Ofsted’s standards for availability, relevance, and renewal to keep children safe.
Both the 1-day and 2-day paediatric first aid courses are useful. They help adults learn how to respond in emergencies involving babies and children.
- The 1-day course teaches the basic skills quickly. It’s a good choice for parents, carers, or volunteers who want to learn the essentials.
- The 2-day course gives more in-depth, professional training. It’s best for people who work with children every day, like nursery staff and childminders.
📚Keep in mind:
First aid skills can become rusty or weaken over time. Make sure you refresh your training every three years, and practise regularly to stay confident and ready.
About Us:
Caring for Care Ltd is a leading healthcare training provider in the UK, specialising in clinical and mandatory training for health and social care professionals. Based in Stoke-on-Trent, we deliver high-quality training nationwide, partnering with NHS organisations, councils, private hospitals, and care providers. Each year, they train over 20,000 nurses, care managers, and support staff .
We offer both the accredited Qualsafe first aid qualification and the Caring for Care first aid certificate. Speak with our course advisor to decide which option best suits your needs.