Millie’s Law means that First aid training is to be made compulsory for new nursery recruits in September 2016. It will be a requirement for new nursery and pre-school staff to undertake paediatric first aid training thanks to new government proposals.
The new proposals will ensure that newly qualified staff with a childcare level 2 or 3 qualification must have emergency paediatric first aid training or a full paediatric first aid certificate. This life-saving change will hopefully add approximately an additional 15,000 trained early years professionals to our nurseries, pre-schools and child minders each year.
Following the tragic death of their daughter Millie, parents Joanne and Dan Thompson have shown their full support to the plans. They have been campaigning for change since Millie passed away at nursery in October 2012. Their important campaign culminated in an e-petition signed by over 103,000 people.
Mr and Mrs Thompson have also given their backing to the creation of a new special certificate to be known as ‘Millie’s Mark’, a direct outcome of their campaigning. This will be displayed by nurseries who have achieved gold-standard provision where 100% of their staff hold paediatric first aid qualifications. This certificate will help to give parents assurance that their child is being cared for by safe and knowledgeable staff.
The awarding of Millie’s Mark will be dependent on all of the criteria being met in addition to the legal requirements as set out in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) statutory framework. Childcare providers will work to keep these crucial skills in the forefront of their employees’ minds, so that they are competent and ready to act in an emergency situation.
The aims of Millie’s Mark are to keep children safe and minimise risk and accidents by:
• Raising standards in paediatric first aid;
• Increasing numbers of first aid-trained staff;
• Increasing competency in applying first aid;
• Enabling staff to respond quickly in emergencies;
• Raising the quality and skills of the early years workforce and helping them with day-to-day first aid issues, such as allergies;
• Providing reassurance to parents.
Every parent wants the confidence that any person who is caring for their child has the right training should the worst happen. First aid training really is a life-saving skill to have. Ultimately, these changes in the law could save a child’s life. Under current rules, early years providers must only have at least one paediatric first aider available on the premises at all times.
Ajuda offer paediatric first aid courses at our training academy in Cardiff Bay. To book yourself onto a course or for more information, please contact Dawn or Ruth on 029 20576883.
Upcoming course dates are:
| 8th & 9th September 2016 | Level 3 Award in Paediatric First Aid (QCF) | £140.00 |
| 21st & 22nd November 2016 | Level 3 Award in Paediatric First Aid (QCF) | £140.00 |
| 12th & 13th January 2017 | Level 3 Award in Paediatric First Aid (QCF) | £140.00 |
| 1st & 2nd February 2017 | Level 3 Award in Paediatric First Aid (QCF) | £140.00 |
| 19th & 20th April 2017 | Level 3 Award in Paediatric First Aid (QCF) | £140.00 |
Alternatively, we can teach your staff at your premises on a date and time to suit you. Discounts apply to group bookings. You can email us on dawn@ajuda.org.uk or ruth@ajuda.org.uk for more details.