First Aid Requirements for Schools and Nurseries

Keeping children safe is the foundation of every school, nursery, and childcare setting. Whether you’re caring for early years learners or managing a busy primary or secondary school, having the right first aid provision in place isn’t just best practice — it’s a legal requirement. Understanding what training your staff need can feel confusing, especially with different rules for different age groups. This guide breaks down the essentials so you can stay compliant, confident, and fully prepared.

Why First Aid Matters in Education and Early Years

Children can become unwell or injured quickly, and their needs are very different from adults. From playground falls and bumps to choking, allergic reactions, asthma attacks, and childhood illnesses, staff must be ready to respond calmly and effectively.

High‑quality first aid training ensures your team can:

• Recognise emergencies early
• Provide the correct care for babies, children, and young people
• Act confidently until medical help arrives
• Support children with ongoing medical conditions

A well‑trained team creates a safer, calmer environment for everyone — children, staff, and parents.

First Aid Requirements for Nurseries & Early Years Settings (EYFS)

Nurseries, pre‑schools, childminders, and reception classes must follow the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) statutory framework. The rules are clear:

• At least one person with a full Paediatric First Aid (PFA) certificate must be available at all times when children are present.
• This includes outings, trips, outdoor play, and any off‑site activities.
• Training must be Ofsted‑recognised, renewed every three years, and delivered by a competent, accredited provider.
• Certificates must be accessible and available for inspection.

The full 12‑hour Paediatric First Aid course is the gold standard for early years settings. It covers CPR for babies and children, choking, anaphylaxis, asthma, seizures, head injuries, fractures, burns, and managing emergencies in childcare environments.

Many nurseries choose to train all staff, ensuring full coverage throughout the day.

First Aid Requirements for Schools

Schools follow the Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981, which require a First Aid Needs Assessment rather than a fixed number of first aiders. This assessment considers:

• The size of the school
• The age of pupils
• Any medical or additional needs
• The layout of the site
• High‑risk areas (science labs, DT workshops, sports facilities)
• Staff‑to‑pupil ratios

Most schools choose a combination of:

• Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW)
• First Aid at Work (FAW)
• Paediatric First Aid for staff working with younger pupils or those with medical needs

Having both adult and paediatric first aiders ensures full coverage across the school day.

Why Many Schools and Nurseries Choose Onsite Training

Onsite training is becoming increasingly popular because it:

• Reduces staff travel and time away from the classroom
• Allows scenarios to be tailored to your environment
• Ensures your whole team receives consistent, practical training
• Makes compliance easier and more cost‑effective

At Flowers Training, we regularly deliver onsite courses for schools, nurseries, and childcare providers across Suffolk, Essex, and Cambridgeshire — making training simple, flexible, and stress‑free.

Supporting Your Setting to Stay Compliant

Whether you need full Paediatric First Aid, EFAW, FAW, or a combination of courses, Flowers Training is here to help you meet your legal responsibilities with confidence. Our accredited, engaging training gives your staff the skills they need to keep children safe every day.

If you’d like guidance on which course your setting needs or want to book onsite training, we’re always happy to support you.