Child First Aid: Essential Skills for Parents, Caregivers and Childcare Professionals

Children are naturally curious, active and prone to accidents. From choking on small objects to falls and burns, emergencies involving infants and young children require a different set of skills compared to adult first aid. Knowing how to respond quickly and correctly can make all the difference.

The Child First Aid course is specifically designed to equip parents, caregivers, domestic helpers, babysitters, childcare teachers and preschool professionals with the knowledge and confidence to manage emergencies involving infants, children and adults. The course is accredited by the Singapore Resuscitation and First Aid Council (SRFAC) and recognised by the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA), making it a requirement for childcare and preschool staff in Singapore.

The programme covers a wide range of emergency scenarios including unconscious casualties, respiratory problems, shock, bleeding, wounds, musculoskeletal injuries and burn injuries. A dedicated module on infant and child first aid addresses the unique anatomical and physiological considerations when treating young casualties. Participants also receive practical training in Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) and automated external defibrillation (AED) for infants, children and adults, with high performance recording to ensure competency.

One of the most common emergencies involving young children is choking. Unlike adults, infants cannot be treated with abdominal thrusts alone. The correct technique involves a combination of back blows and chest thrusts, and this is a skill that every parent and caregiver should possess. The Child First Aid course provides hands-on practice in managing choking in both conscious and unconscious infants and children.

Whether you are a parent, grandparent, domestic helper or early childhood professional, the Child First Aid course gives you the tools to respond confidently when a child's life is at stake.