Member Article

Nursery bags UK first for first aid skills

Brown Bear Childcare in Bredbury has been the first nursery in the country to be awarded an ‘In Safe Hands Award’ accreditation from the First Aid Industry Body (FAIB).

To qualify for the award a minimum of 35% of its nursery staff had to complete the 12-hour Full Paediatric First Aid training course and a further 35% of staff had to successfully complete the 6-hour Emergency Paediatric First Aid training course.

The scheme is backed up by official compliance information and a framework of refresher training to ensure standards are being maintained.

Also covered in the training is a fun introduction to first aid for young children called Flat Stan First Aid to help them develop skills from an early age – proven to make a difference.

Wendy Hartley, Director of Brown Bear Childcare, was presented with the award by Ian Kershaw MBE, Managing Director of FAIB, with Shaun Ingram from defibrillator manufacturers Cardiac Science and local safety campaigner William Wragg MP also attending.

Wendy commented: “The In Safe Hands scheme is a trusted and affordable way of teaching lifesaving skills to my front line people and I think is essential training for all. The health and wellbeing of the children in our care is our number one priority. Through the scheme we now exceed Government guidelines in this area which is very reassuring for everyone associated with us.”

Paul Oates, Child Care Providers and Regulation, Department of Education commented: “Genuine award schemes designed to ensure that more childcare professionals have the paediatric first aid training they need are to be welcomed.”

Conservative MP for Hazel Grove, William Wragg, agreed: “It provides peace of mind for parents and the wider community and is an excellent initiative.”

Ian Kershaw from the FAIB said his team was passionate about empowering people to be confident in giving first aid when required. He said: “The In Safe Hands award scheme recognises those – like Wendy – who have seen a gap in knowledge and through training has equipped her team to deal with any eventuality.”

Shaun Ingram from Cardiac Science which is based in Stockport, said defibrillator training formed a natural part of the scheme. “We are delighted to support this initiative and congratulate Wendy on blazing a trail here in Bredbury.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Sue Souter .