PHECC First Aid Essentials – Paediatric First Aid
Practical PHECC Paediatric First Aid training for people who work with or care for babies and children.
First Aid Essentials – Paediatric First Aid is a one-day, practical course covering paediatric first aid, emergency response and Cardiac First Response Community skills. It is particularly suited to early years and childcare teams and is included by Tusla among the PHECC first aid qualifications considered to meet the first aid requirements for pre-school services from September 2026.
PHECC First Aid Essentials · 6.5 contact hours · Maximum 8 learners per instructor · Digital certificate valid for 2 years
What is PHECC First Aid Essentials – Paediatric First Aid?
PHECC First Aid Essentials – Paediatric First Aid is a practical first aid course focused on emergencies involving babies and children.
The course follows the Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council (PHECC) First Aid Essentials education and training standard.
Learners develop the skills to assess an emergency, provide appropriate first aid, perform CPR, use an Automated External Defibrillator (AED), respond to choking and care for an infant or child until emergency medical services arrive.
Cardiac First Response Community is included as a core component of the programme.
No previous first aid experience is required.
Who is the Paediatric First Aid course for?
PHECC First Aid Essentials – Paediatric First Aid is particularly suitable for:
- Early years educators
- Crèche and pre-school staff
- Childcare professionals
- Childminders
- Montessori staff
- School and after-school staff
- Special Needs Assistants
- Parents and guardians
- Foster carers
- Sports coaches
- Youth group leaders and volunteers
- Anyone responsible for the care of babies or children
If you work in a registered pre-school or early years service, this course may form part of your service’s first aid training arrangements under Tusla’s current requirements.
Tusla requirements for pre-school services
From September 2026, Tusla includes PHECC First Aid Essentials – Paediatric First Aid among the PHECC-accredited first aid certificates considered to meet the requirements of Regulation 25(1) for pre-school services.
Registered providers must ensure that a person trained in first aid for children is immediately available to children while the service is operating.
Appropriately trained first aid personnel should also be available on outings.
The number of trained staff required will depend on the service’s staffing arrangements, risk assessment, operating hours and the needs of the children attending.
This recognition applies specifically to PHECC First Aid Essentials – Paediatric First Aid and should not be confused with FAE Basic First Aid or a non-PHECC paediatric first aid course.
What will I learn?
The course combines first aid knowledge with practical, scenario-based training focused on infants and children.
Introduction to first aid
- The role and responsibilities of the first aider
- Scene safety and emergency management
- Communicating with children, parents and emergency services
- Consent and capacity
- Recognising safeguarding concerns
- First aider wellbeing
Paediatric patient assessment
- Primary survey
- Secondary assessment
- Assessing vital signs
- Recognising life-threatening conditions
- Communicating with a sick or injured child
- Handover to emergency medical services
Cardiac First Response Community
- Recognising cardiac arrest
- Adult, child and infant CPR
- Automated External Defibrillator (AED) use
- Choking in adults, children and infants
- Recognition of heart attack and stroke
- Activating emergency medical services
Injuries and trauma
- External bleeding
- Wound care
- Burns and scalds
- Head injuries
- Limb injuries
- Fractures, sprains and dislocations
- Caring for an injured child while awaiting further medical help
Common paediatric medical emergencies
- Asthma
- Diabetes-related emergencies
- Seizures
- Fainting
- Anaphylaxis
- Poisoning
- Sepsis
- Altered levels of consciousness
Practical paediatric first aid training
Paediatric first aid is best learned through practice.
Throughout the course, learners take part in skills demonstrations, hands-on practice and emergency scenarios involving babies and children.
The small-group format gives each participant time to practise, receive instructor feedback and complete the required assessments.
The aim is to develop practical skills that learners can apply when a child becomes suddenly ill or injured.
Course duration and class size
The PHECC First Aid Essentials – Paediatric First Aid course contains 6.5 contact hours and is normally completed in one day.
The maximum instructor-to-learner ratio is 1 instructor to 8 learners.
This gives participants sufficient time for practical skills development, feedback and assessment.
Assessment
Assessment is practical and forms part of the course.
Learners must successfully complete the required PHECC course assessments before certification can be issued.
PHECC certification
Learners who successfully complete all required elements receive the PHECC First Aid Essentials – Paediatric First Aid digital certificate.
The certificate is valid for two years.
PHECC responder-level certification is issued digitally and provides a verifiable record of successful course completion.
UFAS is a PHECC Recognised Institution. You can verify our approval and approved course list on the PHECC register.
Paediatric First Aid training for early years and childcare teams
UFAS can arrange First Aid Essentials – Paediatric First Aid training for organisations including:
- Crèches
- Pre-schools
- Early years services
- Montessori settings
- Childcare providers
- Schools
- After-school services
- Community and voluntary organisations
- Sports and youth organisations
On-site training allows up to eight learners per instructor to complete their training together at a suitable workplace or venue.
For availability and current course pricing, contact UFAS.
Course details
Course
PHECC First Aid Essentials – Paediatric First Aid
Certification
PHECC First Aid Essentials – Paediatric First Aid digital certificate on successful completion
Duration
6.5 contact hours
Format
Instructor-led, practical, in-person training
CFR training
Cardiac First Response Community included as a core component
Class size
Maximum 8 learners per instructor
Certificate validity
2 years
Location
UFAS venue or on-site at a suitable workplace or childcare setting
Price
Contact UFAS for current individual and group pricing
Previous experience
No previous first aid experience required
PHECC Paediatric First Aid FAQs
Is PHECC First Aid Essentials – Paediatric First Aid recognised by Tusla?
From September 2026, Tusla includes PHECC First Aid Essentials – Paediatric First Aid among the PHECC-accredited certificates considered to meet the first aid requirements for pre-school services under Regulation 25(1).
Is this course suitable for crèche and pre-school staff?
Yes.
The course is particularly relevant to people responsible for babies and children, including early years educators, crèche and pre-school staff.
Registered providers should ensure they have enough appropriately trained staff to meet their first aid requirements throughout operating hours and on outings.
Is this the same as a general Paediatric First Aid course?
No.
This course follows the PHECC First Aid Essentials – Paediatric First Aid education and training standard and leads to PHECC certification.
Other paediatric first aid courses may cover similar practical skills but do not necessarily lead to the same PHECC certificate.
Does the course include CPR and AED training?
Yes.
Cardiac First Response Community forms a core component of the programme and includes CPR and AED skills.
Does the course cover infant and child choking?
Yes.
The programme includes responding to airway obstruction in infants and children as part of the Cardiac First Response component.
How long is the course?
The course contains 6.5 contact hours and is normally completed in one day.
Do I need previous first aid experience?
No.
No previous first aid qualification is required.
How many learners can attend?
The maximum instructor-to-learner ratio is one instructor to eight learners.
If your organisation needs to train more staff, contact UFAS to discuss additional instructors or multiple course dates.
Is the certificate digital?
Yes.
Successful learners receive a PHECC digital certificate.
How long is the certificate valid?
The certificate is valid for two years.
Can UFAS deliver the training at our crèche or childcare service?
Yes.
On-site training can be arranged at suitable childcare settings, workplaces and training venues.
Contact UFAS with your location, number of learners and preferred dates and we will advise on availability.
How much does the course cost?
Contact UFAS for current individual and group course pricing.
Which first aid course do I need?
The right course depends on why you need first aid training.
PHECC First Aid Essentials – Paediatric First Aid is designed specifically for first aid involving babies and children and is included in Tusla’s current list of recognised PHECC qualifications for pre-school services.
PHECC First Aid Essentials – Basic First Aid provides broader introductory first aid training where the primary requirement is not specifically paediatric.
PHECC First Aid Response (FAR) is the course to consider where you need the recognised occupational first aid standard for a designated workplace First Aid Responder.
If you are unsure which qualification your organisation requires, talk to UFAS before booking.
View First Aid Essentials – Basic First Aid View First Aid Response Talk to UFASBook PHECC Paediatric First Aid training
Arrange practical PHECC First Aid Essentials – Paediatric First Aid training for your team.
Contact UFAS for upcoming course availability, on-site group training and current pricing.
Call 01 699 1126
Email info@ufas.ie