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Sharon McCulloch is the CEO and Founder of FirstAidPro, Australia’s leading Registered Training Organisation (31124), delivering First Aid Courses nationwide.
Sharon has 21+ years of experience as a qualified Emergency Care Nurse registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (APHRA) and 12+ years as a First Aid Trainer.
She takes pride in FirstAidPro making first aid training available, comprehensive and affordable to everybody.
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If you would like to book, simply register online, call or email us.
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A childcare first aid course is essential for anyone working with children, as children face unique risks in education and care settings, from playground accidents to sudden medical emergencies. When you work in an education and care setting, you become responsible for the safety and wellbeing of the children in your care.
A childcare first aid course equips you with essential first aid skills and knowledge to respond effectively to emergencies. The HLTAID012 course is designed for those who work in the childcare and education sector. This nationally accredited course ensures you meet regulatory requirements while you develop confidence to handle first aid situations with infants and children.
The importance of a childcare first aid course becomes clear when you consider both legal obligations and professional responsibilities in education and care settings.
The Education and Care Services National Regulations mandate that childcare workers hold approved first aid qualifications. Regulation 136 requires that you complete an accredited first aid course that covers first aid response to infants and children. The Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority oversees compliance with these requirements.
Your HLTAID012 childcare first aid certificate demonstrates that you meet the Care Services National Law requirements. Those who work in a care setting who are required to provide a first aid response must hold current qualifications. The HLTAID012 qualification ensures you can respond to a first aid emergency that involves people of all ages while you have specialised skills for children.
When you work in an education and care setting, you accept responsibility for child safety. Your duty of care extends beyond basic supervision to include immediate medical assistance when children experience injuries or medical emergencies. Parents trust that qualified first aid staff will care for their children during emergencies. Your preparedness to handle first aid incidents reinforces this confidence.
Your role in the childcare sector means you must be prepared to provide a first aid response to children in your care at any time. Your first aid qualification demonstrates that you can respond to a first aid emergency appropriately.
A comprehensive childcare first aid course covers essential emergency response techniques specifically designed for education and care environments.
Your HLTAID012 course includes comprehensive cardiopulmonary resuscitation training for different age groups. You learn to provide cardiopulmonary resuscitation to infants, children, and adults with age-appropriate techniques. The training requires you to demonstrate at least 2 minutes of uninterrupted single rescuer CPR on a manikin placed on the floor.
You also learn to provide basic emergency life support with automated external defibrillators (AEDs). The HLTAID009 provide cardiopulmonary resuscitation component focuses specifically on CPR skills. You practice on infant, child, and adult manikins to understand the technical differences required for each age group. Your first aid trainer observes your technique to ensure you meet Australian Resuscitation Council standards.
The CPR course component builds muscle memory for minutes of uninterrupted single rescuer situations during actual emergencies.
Choking represents one of the most common life-threatening emergencies in education and care settings. Your childcare first aid course teaches specific techniques to clear airway obstructions in infants and children. For infants under 12 months, you learn back blows and chest thrusts performed with the baby positioned face-down along your forearm.
Children over 12 months require different choking response techniques. You practice abdominal thrusts (Heimlich manoeuvre) modified for smaller bodies and different positions. Your training includes how to recognise partial versus complete airway obstruction.
Asthma attacks occur frequently in education and care settings. Your course covers how to recognise asthma symptoms, assist with inhaler use, and determine when to call emergency services. Severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) can develop rapidly and prove fatal without proper intervention. Your training covers how to recognise anaphylaxis symptoms, use adrenaline auto-injectors (EpiPens), and provide care until paramedics arrive.
Febrile seizures affect young children during fever episodes. Your first aid training teaches you how to keep children safe during seizures and when seizures require emergency medical attention. Head injuries require careful assessment to identify serious complications like concussion. Diabetic emergencies can affect children with diagnosed diabetes or reveal previously undiagnosed conditions.
Your first aid knowledge prepares you to handle these first aid emergencies with confidence while you provide appropriate care within an education and care setting.
Most first aid incidents in education and care settings involve minor injuries. Your course covers how to clean and dress cuts, scrapes, and abrasions with proper infection control techniques. Burns and scalds occur through contact with hot surfaces, liquids, or chemicals. Your first aid training covers immediate cooling techniques, pain management, and appropriate methods to dress wounds.
Nosebleeds are common in children and can cause distress. Sprains and fractures require careful handling to prevent further injury. Your training covers basic splint techniques, pain management, and safe positions for transport. Your first aid skills help you respond to a first aid incident effectively.
Heat-related illnesses affect children more readily than adults. Your first aid course covers how to recognise heat exhaustion and heat stroke symptoms, cooling techniques, and fluid replacement strategies. Cold-related emergencies can occur during winter outdoor activities. Poisoning incidents may involve household products, medications, or plant materials commonly found in education and care settings.
Proper documentation of first aid incidents protects children, families, and your organisation. Your course covers what information to record and how to document observations objectively. Communication with emergency services requires clear, concise information delivery under stressful conditions. Parent notification procedures form a key component of first aid responses in education and care settings.
A childcare first aid course provides numerous professional and personal advantages that extend well beyond emergency situations.
Completion of your childcare first aid course increases your confidence when you work with children. Your first aid qualification demonstrates professional commitment to child safety. Employers value staff who exceed minimum requirements and actively pursue relevant training. Parents notice and appreciate staff with current first aid training, and colleagues benefit from your first aid expertise.
As a qualified first aider in your workplace, you become a valuable resource for your team and can provide an emergency first aid response when needed.
Your first aid training sharpens your ability to identify potential hazards in education and care environments. You develop better observation skills to recognise early signs of illness or distress in children. Environmental awareness increases as you learn to see your education and care setting through a safety lens.
First aid training improves your ability to communicate effectively during stressful situations. Your ability to explain medical situations to parents in understandable terms strengthens family relationships. Documentation skills developed during first aid training transfer to other record-keeping requirements in education and care settings.
Your first aid skills and knowledge extend beyond your professional responsibilities to benefit your personal life. Child development and safety considerations help you in personal relationships with children in your family or social circle. Your first aid qualification may open opportunities for volunteer work or additional employment in areas that require these skills.
Regular updates ensure your childcare first aid course certification remains valid and your skills stay sharp for emergency situations.
Your HLTAID012 provide an emergency first aid response in an education and care setting certificate requires renewal every three years to maintain validity. The HLTAID009 provide cardiopulmonary resuscitation component must be updated annually.
Many training organisations offer face-to-face training sessions and some provide online learning components for theory, though practical skills assessment must be completed in person. When you complete the course, you receive a statement of attainment for HLTAID012 that serves as your recognised childcare first aid qualification.
Check the course calendar regularly to plan your renewal times. Early renewal ensures you maintain current qualifications and can continue to provide first aid in an education and care setting without interruption.
Yes. The HLTAID012 course includes comprehensive CPR training for infants, children, and adults. You’ll learn age-specific techniques and practice on different manikins to master the skills needed for your childcare role.
Yes. We have locations all over Australia, making it convenient for you to find a childcare first aid course near your workplace or home. Our training centres operate in major cities and regional areas across the country.
Bring photo identification and wear comfortable clothing that allows you to move freely during practical activities. You’ll be practising CPR and other techniques on the floor, so avoid restrictive clothing or formal business attire.