13/09/2026
CHANGES TO FIRST AID REGULATION FOR CHILDCARE SETTINGS (with immediate effect). Keep reading to get the answers to some of the more common questions I have had since this announcement.
There are 3 first aid courses now accepted for childcare settings to meet legal/regulation requirements
• PHECC – First Aid Responder (FAR) – Minimum 18 teaching hours done in person or via blended learning
• PHECC – First Aid Responder Recertification (FAR-R) – Minimum 12 teaching hours done in person or via blended learning
• PHECC – First Aid Essentials Paediatrics (FAE:Paediatric) – Minimum 6.5 teaching hours done in person
Early Years First Aid are delighted to be offering all 3 of these courses via public courses across Leinster and private courses across Ireland. Email [email protected] or send a PM for more information.
What regulations does your childcare setting need to meet for first aid training?
1. Regulation 25(1) of the Child Care Act 1991 (Early Years Services) Regulations 2016
• This is regulated by Tusla and regularly inspected to ensure the service is compliant
2. Safety Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulations 2007
• This is regulated by the Health Safety Authority (HSA) and while you need to be compliant at all times it is normally only inspected after a workplace incident in childcare settings
What first aid training should be in place to meet both regulations?
1. Either FAR (first aid for adults & children) or FAE:Paediatric (first aid for children)
How many staff require FAR training?
1. This is based on a first aid risk assessment. If there is 1 employee or more on the premises a minimum of 1 person should be on site with FAR training. Based on the risk assessment however there may be a need for more FAR trained staff. If you would like to receive a first aid risk assessment to assist with this question you can request it at [email protected].
How many staff require FAE:Paediatric training?
1. Again, this is based on a first aid risk assessment but at a minimum it is required that there is at least 1 FAE:Paediatric first aid available at all times both in the service and on outings. Any staff with FAR can be included in this number as they would double as having a suitable qualification for both adults and children. When doing roster’s it is important to ensure that either a FAR or FAE:Paediatric member of staff available.
What training do other staff require that are not needed to meet the regulations?
1. None – As per my last correspondence with Tusla Friday 11th of Sept 2026
What would we recommend for the other staff that are not needed to meet the regulations?
1. Basic Paediatric training – so some first aid can be provided while waiting on the FAR or FAE:Paediatric member of staff to attend the incident
2. PHECC – First Aid Essentials Paediatrics (FAE:Paediatric) – ensure the accredited PHECC training is in place so minimise risk of no staff with the correct training not being available (Breaks/lunch/illness/holidays/emergencies)
