Childcare First Aid Training: More than Just the Basics

Whether you are working in education/childcare or are looking for a role, there is a requirement—and very good reasons—to learn emergency first aid.

To gain your certificate in HLTAID004: Provide an Emergency First Aid Response in an Education and Care Setting, you’ll need to show your knowledge and competency in certain aspects, such as:

  • Providing CPR – what to do when an adult or child is in a life-threatening situation
  • Asthma – learning how to respond to asthma attacks
  • Anaphylaxis – allergic reaction signs and how to administer an EpiPen
  • Emergency first aid response to children in emergencies

Learning these techniques is obviously very beneficial as it is. But trainers also think about what’s happening at the critical time of response. So they will talk about keeping the child or adult calm, what to say to them, and talk about calling 000.

Critical Incident Responses

Now that 6% of children (or 1 in 20 babies) have a food allergy, and

a portion of these suffer a serious anaphylaxis reaction1, it’s crucial to know what to do in the first 2-3 minutes after the child’s allergic reaction shows.

Signs might include swelling in their throat or tongue, coughing, and difficulty in breathing or talking. Educators need to be able to recognise symptoms of anaphylaxis and be prepared to administer adrenaline, using an Epipen (an autoinjector).

In some people, very small amounts of food—even a smell or touch of it—can cause a life-threatening reaction.

While it was once just certain food groups, now anaphylaxis can be caused by many different things and foods. Insect bites, touching certain trees/grasses, and use of latex can cause anaphylaxis in some sufferers.

It seems like quite a frightening thing to have to do, but once you’re trained in this first aid response, you can be confident to deliver the Epipen. Research by ASCIA shows that fatalities more often occur away from home and usually after a delay with (or not using) an auto-injector.

An ASCIA Action Plan is a document that diagnosed highly-allergic sufferers get from their doctor that outlines instructions for response in an anaphylaxis emergency. However, the training will help the carer respond whether the person has an action plan or not.

It’s important that you and the child involved are supported emotionally as well. Imagine the after-effects of an accident that an educator responded to and felt guilt about. It’s for this reason that de-briefing, how to get emotional support, and stress management techniques is a much-needed element of training.

What makes it easier to learn at My First Aid Course?

The pre-course video of 45-minutes duration provides the basic first aid response, anaphylaxis and asthma knowledge, which is then cemented during the course with practical ‘hands on’ training.

In fact, trainers at My First Aid course are specialists in creating an interactive learning environment. They try to answer everyone’s questions and acknowledge the variety of your job situations.

You may also read the eBook: ‘Anaphylaxis, Guidelines and Protocols’, to ensure you have a well-rounded knowledge of allergic reaction management.

How often should you do a Childcare First Aid Course?

Many educators wonder how often they have to renew their first aid course HLTAID004: Provide an Emergency First Aid Response in an Education and Care Setting for it to remain current. The refresher is recommended to be taken every 3 years in line with industry standards. This will also cover HLTAID001: Provide Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation, HLTAID002: Provide Basic Emergency Life Support, and HLTAID003: Provide First Aid.

Why not just do a basic First Aid Course in Brisbane?

For parents and nannies, the HLTAID003 Provide First Aid (which includes CPR) course is ideal for general family situations. But educators need more in-depth training; e.g. you’ll learn about what to do after an incident with a child. This course is also a requirement of each childcare centre2.

This course has been nationally recognised by Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA), who have deemed it to satisfy all requirements for first aid, anaphylaxis management and emergency asthma training under the Education and Care Services National Law.

1Allergy & Anaphylaxis Australia, https://allergyfacts.org.au/allergy-anaphylaxis/what-is-anaphylaxis

2First aid requirements come under the Education and Care Services National Law and the Education and Care Services National Regulations (2011).

Picture of Mal Thompson

Mal Thompson

With over 20 years experience in the training industry across multiple fields, hundreds of hours of personal development and a passion to help people, Mal Thompson leads the My First Aid Course training team. https://www.linkedin.com/in/malthompsonbne/