Paediatric First Aid Requirements 2025
Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) requirements have always placed strong emphasis on keeping children safe — and paediatric first aid (PFA) has long been a cornerstone of that. However, new changes coming into force from 1 September 2025 will significantly expand who within an early years setting must hold a valid paediatric first aid qualification.
If you work in an early years environment, or you provide first aid training to these settings, this update is essential reading. Below, we break down what’s changed, what’s staying the same, and how settings can stay compliant.
What EYFS Has Always Required
Under the EYFS statutory framework, early years providers must ensure:
- There is always at least one person on the premises with a current full Paediatric First Aid (PFA) certificate whenever children are present.
- A PFA-qualified person must accompany children on outings.
- Childminders and any assistants left in sole charge of children must hold a current PFA certificate.
- The full PFA course must meet EYFS-approved criteria (typically 12 hours).
- Certificates must be renewed every three years.
These core requirements remain unchanged — the safety standards expected of early years settings are still high and very clear.
What’s Changing on 1 September 2025
The biggest shift relates to which staff members must hold paediatric first aid certification in order to be counted in staff:child ratios.
From September 2025, the following individuals must hold a valid PFA certificate if they are to count towards statutory ratios:
- Apprentices aged 16+
- Students on long-term placements
- Volunteers aged 17+
- Staff qualified through the “Experience-Based Route (EBR)”
Previously, these groups were encouraged — but not required — to be paediatric first aid trained. Now, the requirement is compulsory if they are to be included in staffing ratios.
This is a major regulatory shift, designed to improve safety and ensure that all adults directly involved in children’s care can respond effectively in an emergency.
Emergency Paediatric First Aid (EPFA) – Not Enough for Ratio Purposes
Many settings use the shorter 6-hour Emergency Paediatric First Aid course as part of staff induction. However:
- Only the full 12-hour PFA course qualifies an individual to count in staffing ratios.
- EPFA alone does not meet the full EYFS requirements for the designated first aider on site.
Early years providers should evaluate which of their staff need to be upgraded to full PFA before September 2025.
What This Means for Early Years Providers
For nurseries, preschools, and childminding settings, the 2025 change has practical implications:
- More staff will require training — especially apprentices, new starters, students, and volunteers.
- Settings will need to plan for renewals, training schedules, and staff availability.
- Ratio-reliance will be affected if untrained staff are rostered in place of PFA-certified individuals.
- Providers may benefit from setting up a training calendar or automated reminders to manage certificate expiry dates.
For training providers, the change is likely to increase demand for full PFA courses — especially blended options (online + practical).
How Emerald First Aid Training Can Support You
We deliver fully EYFS-compliant 12-hour Paediatric First Aid courses, available as:
- In-house training at your setting
- Open public courses across the region
- Blended options combining online learning with practical assessment
All courses meet the 2025 EYFS statutory requirements.
Book your EYFS-Compliant Paediatric First Aid Course Now:
www.emeraldfirstaidtraining.co.uk/book-now