There are a number of ways that you can prepare for emergencies when it comes to looking after children. The first is by completing and then keeping up to date your paediatric first aid. By completing this invaluable course every 3 years, you will remain up to date with current legislation and techniques, keep your skills refreshed and will know what steps to take if an accident or an emergency was to occur to a child whilst in your care.
By completing a full 12 hour Ofsted compliant paediatric first aid course means that you will cover all the topics set out by the Early Years Foundation Stage and Ofsted standards. This is relevant to all childminders who need to comply with the Early Years Register, and nannies wishing to register on the Voluntary Register. It is also the requirement that nursery practitioners complete a paediatric first aid course.
One hot topic during the course, and another way to make sure you are prepared for any emergency, is to have a first aid kit with you at all times. By having the correct contents of a baby first aid kit, whether you need to clean and dress a cut, bandage a larger wound or prepare a sling, if you have all the correct equipment with you either within the family home or a first aid kit for emergencies when travelling, you will always be prepared and ready.
These items do not need to be big or vast, but they need to be relevant to the staff taking care of children within your setting, and the children within your care. Items must be checked for expiry dates often and items restocked and replaced when used. It is important to maintain the contents of your first aid kit, so that when required, you can assist with any emergency. For best practice, one person should be allocated as the person in change of the contents of the first aid kit.
The contents of a baby first aid kit are important. When you consider all the potential accidents and emergencies that can occur, it is essential to be prepared for them all.
There are many pre-made kits available to buy, or it is easy to put together your own first aid kit once you know what you should have in a first aid kit for babies.
Each first aid kit needs to be relevant to the setting. Whether you are a nanny or parent caring for one child, a childminder who cares for 2-6 children or a nursery of over 50 children.
Within the family home, and according to the NHS, the contents of a baby first aid kit could include;
Remember with all medicines, they should be stored safely and as recommended, always away from children. Equally as important is that the adults in charge of the contents of a baby first aid kit should regularly check the used by dates on opened and unopened medication and the rest of the equipment should be checked to maintain hygiene and sterilisation.
By completing regular paediatric first aid courses, you will know how to use all the equipment you will find in the contents of a baby first aid kit. You will also be informed of any updates and changes to baby first aid and the contents of a baby first aid kit.
Being prepared, whether an accident occurs within the home, in the park, out on a day trip or on holiday when travelling abroad is the best possible way of keeping children safe and cared for.
As parents, nannies, childminders or nursery practitioners, we should all be confident and up to date with paediatric first aid procedures, and have the resources available to us in the form of a baby first aid kit to jump into action if an emergency situation were to arise.
Taking into consideration the environment, unfortunately different emergency situations can occur depending on where you are.
When caring for a child within a home environment. We can risk assess, remove objects of concern and keep the indoor environment safe and secure from most accidents happening.
For trips outside, there is a heightened risk of an accident happening. And by carrying the correct contents within your baby first aid kit, you can be prepared for emergencies when travelling.
Depending on your role (as a parent, nanny, childminder or nursery practitioner), the trip you are going on (whether it is to a local park, into a busy city, or travelling abroad) and the children within your care (their ages, staff ratios, medical conditions), you will need to plan your trip in advance and make sure you have all the correct contents within your first aid kit of baby emergencies when travelling.
For nannies wishing to register on the Voluntary Ofsted Register, there is a set of requirements you need to complete first.
All nannies (or home childcarers) must complete:
There are terms set out within the 12 hour Paediatric First Aid Course, your personal liability insurance and the Ofsted standards for the requirements of having a baby first aid kit. Whether you are working within the family home, or planning a quick trip to the park, or a full day out, you must have a baby first aid kit within easy access.
Items to include within your first aid kit for baby emergencies when on day trips;
You must also take into consideration the needs of each individual child within your care. If you are caring for children who have allergies, then you will also need to carry with you antihistamine medication and if prescribed, their EPI-Pen within the contents of your baby first aid kit.
When attending a 12 hour paediatric first aid course, you will learn how to administer these types of medication and the importance of carrying them with you in your emergency first aid kit for babies when travelling.
Other items you may wish to consider when travelling on holiday with a family and would need to include in the contents of a baby first aid kit;
When travelling abroad, you must also be aware of restrictions to items that can be carried when travelling via aeroplane.
Safety pins, scissors and tweezers are all banned from hand luggage, but could be placed in your hold luggage.
Liquid medication over 100mls will also need to be placed in your hold luggage. Only liquids of less than 100mls can be carried within your hand luggage, so you will need to check the bottle sizes before travelling.
It is best to be prepared as pharmacies abroad may not stock the same medicines. So it is best to plan in advance what the contents of your first aid kit of baby emergencies when travelling should be.
For trips out, it is important as a childminder or nursery practitioner to be prepared for any emergency situation which may arise.
Ofsted requires you to carry a first aid kit with you at all times when travelling with children in your care.
So what should you have in the contents of a first aid kit for babies?
The contents of your first aid kit should include;
You will also need to consider the medical needs of each individual child within your care and have their medical forms and medication with you.
If you have a child who suffers from allergies, then you will need to carry antihistamine medication as well as any prescribed medication such as an EPI-Pen.
You should always have the emergency contact details for each child within the contents of you first aid kit and a working phone to be able to use if an emergency were to arise.
Before any trip, you must get permission from the parents, have signed forms in accordance to your outdoor and trip policies and procedures, and make sure staff and children are within the correct ratio guidelines in accordance to Ofsted.
Do you run a ‘forest school’ within your nursery or childminding practice? Or do you partake in regular trips to parks and wooded areas to let children explore and learn through nature play? Then you must consider what content you should include within your first aid kit.
You can use the lists mentioned for nannies, childminders and nursery practitioners, but also consider what other precautions may be needed and additional content to your first aid kit.
If your Forest School uses fire, either as a campfire for warmth, or teaching children the skills of how to start their own fire, then you will need to also include items for burns within the contents of your first aid kit.
A whistle and torch are also important to carry with you.
When travelling with babies and children, being prepared for emergency situations, especially when travelling abroad, is essential. No matter where you are travelling, having travel insurance, and preparing a baby first aid kit should be priorities.
With a first aid kit of baby emergencies when travelling, you must consider essential items that you may not be able to get a hold of whilst abroad and must also take into consideration the allowances of items onto a plane.
So what should you have in a first aid kit for babies when travelling?
Here is a quick guide and checklist to follow for the contents of a baby first aid kit;
It is also always a good idea to research the local emergency contacts before your travel and include the addresses of emergency services, pharmacies and hospitals within the contents of your first aid kit of baby emergencies when travelling.
Liquid medication must be kept under 100mls if travelling via aeroplane, so it may be worth placing these types of medication within your hold luggage and carrying smaller bottles, or sachets within the contents of your baby first aid kit in your hand luggage.
It is best to be prepared, that way you can relax and enjoy your time on day trips and when travelling with a baby or child without the worry of where you can receive emergency first aid should the need arise.
Our last piece of advice would be to print off these checklists for the contents of a baby first aid kit. Keep them within your baby first aid kit, so that you can restock and maintain the equipment you need within your home first aid kit or the first aid kit of baby emergencies when travelling.
And most importantly, have fun!
