ABOUT THIS COURSE
The EYFS Statutory Framework is clear: early years providers should consider whether their paediatric first aiders need annual refresher training to maintain essential skills and stay up to date with any changes in paediatric first aid procedures. The Qualsafe Level 3 Award in Paediatric First Aid (Annual Refresher) (RQF) is a focused three-hour session that does exactly that — helping qualified paediatric first aiders practise their core life-saving skills, rebuild confidence, and remain effective in their role until their full requalification is due.
National Training Hub delivers this refresher at your childcare setting or workplace nationwide across England and Wales.
EYFS recommended cycle: Year 0 — Full PFA or EPFA course | Year 1 — Annual Refresher | Year 2 — Annual Refresher | Year 3 — Full requalification
WHO IS THIS COURSE FOR?
This course is designed exclusively for people who already hold a current, valid Qualsafe Level 3 Award in Paediatric First Aid (RQF) or Emergency Paediatric First Aid (RQF) certificate and need to maintain their skills between requalification dates.
It is the annual refresher recommended by the EYFS for paediatric first aiders working in nurseries, childminding settings, pre-schools, out-of-school clubs, and early years environments nationwide across England and Wales. Managers and nursery owners who want to ensure their paediatric first aiders remain genuinely competent — and not just technically certificated — will find this refresher an essential and cost-effective element of their annual training programme.
Prerequisite: Delegates must hold a current or recently held Qualsafe Level 3 PFA or EPFA certificate to attend. If you need a first-time paediatric first aid qualification, please enquire about our full EPFA (1-day) or PFA (2-day) courses instead.
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN
By the end of this course, you will be able to:
- Conduct a safe scene survey and primary survey of an infant or child, and identify when and how to call for emergency help.
- Identify when CPR is required and demonstrate correct CPR technique on both an infant manikin and a child manikin, including correct AED pad placement and use of a defibrillator.
- Place an unresponsive, breathing infant or child into the recovery position and maintain continuous monitoring of their airway and breathing.
- Assist an infant or child who is experiencing a seizure, keeping them safe and monitoring their airway post-seizure.
- Distinguish between mild and severe choking in an infant or child and apply the correct first aid technique using back blows and abdominal or chest thrusts.
- Apply current paediatric first aid practice in line with Resuscitation Council (UK) guidance and the EYFS framework.
COURSE OVERVIEW
The Paediatric First Aid Annual Refresher is a single three-hour session — short enough to schedule into a working day with minimal impact on your setting's operations, but comprehensive enough to restore and maintain genuine first aid competence.
The session focuses on the core practical skills most at risk of being forgotten between courses: infant and child CPR, AED use, the recovery position, choking response, and seizure management. There is no written theory paper in this refresher — assessment is entirely practical, with four observed assessments covering child CPR and AED, infant CPR and AED, the unconscious casualty, and the choking casualty.
Classes are capped at a maximum of 12 delegates, and the atmosphere is informal and encouraging.
ACCREDITATION & CERTIFICATION
This course leads to the Qualsafe Level 3 Award in Paediatric First Aid (Annual Refresher) (RQF), awarded by Qualsafe Awards and regulated by the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual) and Qualifications Wales.
The course is based on the recommendations of the Resuscitation Council (UK) and the Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). On successful completion, delegates receive a Qualsafe Awards certificate valid for one year. This refresher certificate supplements — but does not replace — the three-year PFA or EPFA certificate; delegates must still complete their full requalification before the primary certificate expires.
National Training Hub is a Qualsafe registered centre (Centre No. 907979).
WHY CHOOSE NATIONAL TRAINING HUB?
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is this refresher required by EYFS?
The EYFS Statutory Framework states that providers should consider whether their paediatric first aiders need annual refresher training to maintain skills and keep up to date with changes. The Qualsafe Annual Refresher is the recommended way to meet this expectation in years one and two of the three-year cycle.
Can someone who has never done paediatric first aid attend?
No. This course is a refresher only. Delegates must hold a current or recently held PFA or EPFA certificate to attend. If you need a first-time paediatric first aid qualification, please enquire about our full EPFA (1-day) or PFA (2-day) courses instead.
Does the Annual Refresher replace my PFA certificate?
No. The Annual Refresher certificate is valid for one year and complements — but does not replace — your three-year PFA or EPFA certificate. You must still complete your full requalification before the three-year expiry date. We recommend the refresher in years one and two, and the full requalification in year three.
What do delegates need to bring?
Comfortable clothing and flat footwear suitable for floor-level practical activities. All training equipment — including infant and child manikins, AED trainers, and choking training devices — is provided by National Training Hub.
Can you deliver the refresher at our nursery or childminding setting?
Yes — on-site delivery nationwide across England and Wales is our speciality. We bring all equipment and materials to you. Contact us to arrange a convenient date and time that fits around your ratios and EYFS requirements.