First Aid Essentials (FAE) – Paediatric First Aid

Protecting Children Through Professional First Aid Training

The PHECC First Aid Essentials (FAE) – Paediatric First Aid programme is a comprehensive one-day course specifically designed to equip participants with the knowledge, confidence and practical skills required to respond effectively to emergencies involving infants and children.

Delivered by O'Hanlon Health & Safety's experienced paramedic instructors, each course is led by professionals with over 8 years of frontline ambulance service experience, ensuring participants receive real-world insights, practical guidance and evidence-based training from those who manage emergencies every day.

This nationally recognised programme incorporates Cardiac First Response (CFR) Community certification and provides learners with the skills necessary to manage a wide range of paediatric injuries and medical emergencies until Emergency Medical Services arrive.

Why Choose O'Hanlon Health & Safety?

✅ Paramedic-Led Training
Learn from qualified ambulance professionals with extensive frontline experience managing real-life medical emergencies.

✅ PHECC Accredited Certification
Receive a dual accredited C-TAC / PHECC First Aid Essentials – Paediatric First Aid Certificate valid for 2 years.

✅ Practical Hands-On Learning
Develop confidence through realistic scenarios, practical skills stations and interactive learning.

✅ Designed for Childcare Settings
Course content focuses specifically on infant and child emergencies, making it ideal for those responsible for children's safety and wellbeing.

✅ Nationwide Delivery
Available throughout Ireland for public and private groups.

Tusla Early Years Compliance

Meet the Latest Tusla First Aid Requirements for Preschool Services

As of September 2026, Tusla's Early Years Inspectorate has formally recognised the PHECC First Aid Essentials – Paediatric First Aid programme as an approved qualification that satisfies the requirements of the Child Care Act 1991 (Early Years Services) Regulations 2016.

Under Regulation 25(1), every registered preschool provider must ensure that:

"A person trained in first aid for children is, at all times, immediately available to the children attending the pre-school service."

Failure to comply with this requirement may result in regulatory findings and could place children at unnecessary risk should an emergency occur.

What Tusla Requires

Preschool service must ensure:

• At least one person trained in accredited paediatric first aid is available whenever the service is operating.
• At least one appropriately trained person accompanies children on outings.
• A current list of trained personnel is maintained.
• First aid certificates remain valid and in date.
• Staffing levels and first aid provision are based upon documented risk assessments, service size and identified hazards.

Recognised PHECC Qualifications

The Tusla Early Years Inspectorate recognises the following PHECC qualifications as meeting the regulatory first aid requirements:

• Emergency First Responder (EFR)
• Medical Technician Paramedic
• Advanced Paramedic
• First Aid Responder (FAR)
• First Aid Essentials – Paediatric First Aid

This means that successful completion of the PHECC First Aid Essentials – Paediatric First Aid programme delivered by O'Hanlon Health & Safety provides an accredited qualification recognised by Tusla for preschool regulatory compliance.

Why This Course is Ideal for Early Years Services

Our First Aid Essentials – Paediatric First Aid programme has been specifically developed for:

• Crèches and childcare facilities
• Montessori and preschool settings
• Early years educators
• Childcare practitioners
• Special Needs Assistants (SNAs)
• Childminders and afterschool services

The course focuses on the emergencies most likely to occur in childcare environments, including choking, febrile seizures, asthma attacks, allergic reactions, head injuries, burns and other paediatric medical emergencies.

Train With Experienced Frontline Professionals

Unlike many training providers, all courses delivered by O'Hanlon Health & Safety are paramedic-led and taught by instructors with over 8 years of frontline National Ambulance Service experience.

This provides learners with:

• Real-world emergency care expertise
• Practical skills that reflect current best practice
• Scenario-based training drawn from genuine incidents
• Increased confidence when responding to emergencies involving children

Whether your objective is regulatory compliance, improving staff competence, or safeguarding children in your care, our PHECC-accredited programme delivers the skills, confidence and certification required to meet both professional and legislative expectations.

Stay Compliant. Protect Children. Build Staff Confidence.

O'Hanlon Health & Safety's First Aid Essentials – Paediatric First Aid course gives childcare providers a simple, affordable and Tusla-recognised solution for meeting first aid obligations while ensuring staff are prepared to respond when it matters most.

Course Overview

Duration: 1 Day (6.5 Contact Hours)

Awarding Body: PHECC

Certification: PHECC First Aid Essentials – Paediatric First Aid

Certificate Validity: 2 Years

Assessment: Multiple Choice Questionnaire (MCQ) and Practical Skills Assessment

Course Location: Nationwide

Maximum Participants: 8 Learners

Public Course Fee: €100 per person

Course Fee Includes:

• Training course materials
• Practical skills assessments
• Certification
• 3 Months Post-Training Support
• Experienced paramedic instructors

Who Should Attend?

This programme is ideal for:

• Early Years Educators
• Childcare and Crèche Staff
• Montessori Teachers
• Childminders
• Primary School Teachers
• Special Needs Assistants (SNAs)
• Parents and Guardians
• Grandparents
• Babysitters
• Anyone responsible for the care and welfare of infants and children

No previous first aid experience is required.

Course Content

Cardiac First Response (CFR) Community

Participants will learn:

• Adult CPR
• Child CPR
• Infant CPR
• Choking management for adults, children and infants
• Automated External Defibrillator (AED) operation
• Administration of aspirin for suspected heart attack

Introduction to First Aid

• Role and responsibilities of a First Aider
• Scene safety and risk assessment
• Communication skills during emergencies
• Consent and patient capacity
• Legal considerations and Good Samaritan legislation
• Recognising abuse and neglect
• Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM)

Patient Assessment

• Primary Survey
• Vital Signs Assessment
• AVPU assessment
• Work of Breathing
• Capillary Refill
• Skin colour and temperature assessment
• SAMPLE history taking
• Secondary Survey
• Identification of potential spinal injuries

Paediatric Injury Management

• Bleeding control and haemorrhage management
• Management of nosebleeds
• Dental injuries
• Fractures, sprains and dislocations
• Limb immobilisation techniques
• Head injury assessment
• Suspected spinal injury management
• Burns assessment and treatment

Common Paediatric Medical Emergencies

Participants will learn how to recognise and manage:

• Altered levels of consciousness
• Febrile Convulsions
• Seizures
• Meningitis
• Asthma and breathing difficulties
• Anaphylaxis and allergic reactions
• Diabetic emergencies
• Poisoning
• Sepsis
• Fainting episodes

Training Methodology

At O'Hanlon Health & Safety, we believe learners gain confidence through experience. Our courses combine theory with extensive practical skills development.

Training includes:

• Interactive presentations
• Instructor demonstrations
• Practical hands-on exercises
• Scenario-based emergency simulations
• Group discussion and participation
• Individual skills coaching from experienced paramedics

Entry Requirements

There is no minimum age requirement; however, participants must demonstrate sufficient maturity to understand the course content and successfully complete practical assessments.

Participants should possess a suitable level of English to understand instructions and communicate effectively during training exercises.

Book With Confidence

When an emergency occurs, training delivered by experienced frontline practitioners makes all the difference.

At O'Hanlon Health & Safety, our instructors bring years of ambulance service experience directly into the classroom, providing participants with practical, realistic and engaging training that prepares them to act confidently when a child needs help most.

Invest one day. Gain skills that could save a child's life.