1-Day vs. 2-Day Paediatric First Aid Training: What’s the Difference?
Post Summary: Choosing between 1 day or 2-day Paediatric First Aid
Paediatric First Aid Training equips you with the skills to handle emergencies involving children, but how do the 1-day and 2-day courses differ? Whether you’re a teacher, childminder, or occasional carer, understanding these differences can help you choose the right training for your needs.
👩🍼Depth of Training:
The 1-day course gives a quick introduction to paediatric first aid and focuses on important skills for emergencies. The 2-day course goes into more detail and includes more practice to help you feel confident.
👩🍼Topics Covered:
In the 1-day course, you will learn basics like CPR, how to manage choking, and how to care for an unconscious child. The 2-day course covers these and more, such as burns, broken bones, allergic reactions (anaphylaxis), and conditions like epilepsy, asthma, and diabetes.
👩🍼Who It’s For:
The 1-day infants and children first aid course is good for people who need basic skills, like school staff or occasional carers. The 2-day infant and child first aid course is for professionals, like nursery workers or childminders, who need a full Paediatric First Aid certificate to meet Ofsted or early years rules.
📜Certification:
After the 1-day course, you get a basic certificate, usually valid for 1 to 3 years depending on the provider. The 2-day course gives a full Paediatric First Aid certificate, valid for 3 years, which meets stricter rules.
The right course depends on your job and what you do. If you work with children every day, the 2-day course is best to prepare you fully. The 1-day course is good if you only need some basic knowledge.
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
1-Day Training (Emergency PFA)
Minimum of 6 hours (can be split over 2 sessions).
Meets requirements for the Voluntary Ofsted Childcare Register (e.g., for nannies, au pairs).
Covers basic skills like CPR, choking, and unconsciousness, as per EYFS guidelines.
Suitable for those not in sole charge (e.g., support staff, nannies on the voluntary register).
2-Day Training (Full PFA)
Minimum of 12 hours (can be blended: 6 hours online, 6 hours practical).
Required for the Compulsory Ofsted Register (e.g., childminders, nursery staff).
Includes all Emergency PFA content plus advanced topics like burns, fractures, and major illnesses (e.g., epilepsy, asthma), as outlined in EYFS Annex A.
Mandatory for childminders, assistants in sole charge, or staff needing to meet EYFS ratios.
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 .
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