Essentials for Child Care & School First Aid

While Child Care Centres and Schools are classed as Low Risk, the duty of care when children are involved, amplifies the need for careful planning and review of First Aid requirements.

So, what do we need to consider when planning the First Aid needs of a Child Care Centre or School?

First Aid

“There must be an appropriate number of first aid kits at each education and care service. When deciding how many kits are needed, approved providers must consider the number of children and staff, and where kits will be kept.” (Australian Children’s Education & Care Quality Authority)

The Number and Nature of First Aid Kits should be governed by the following factors:

the number of children, staff, and potential visitors at any given time,
any special needs that you cater for in your facility,
the size and configuration of the classrooms and outdoor areas,

First Aid Kits are normally designed to cater for a specific Risk and a specified number of people. Your First Aid supplier should be able to guide you on this point; remembering you are likely to be classified as Low Risk.

If your facility has any machinery or the facility is situated where it might become extremely hot or cold, you may want to consider increasing the Risk level to High; or at least for the area where the machinery is used.

A few things you might like to consider when placing your First Aid kits:

Locate one First Aid Kit in each classroom so it can be immediately accessed;
Clean running water is frequently needed in a first aid emergency. By locating your First Aid kit near running water it provides quick and easy access to clean wounds, remove dirt, wash away children’s tears and to simply give someone a drink of water which generally calms them down;
Having a smaller belt bag style First Aid Kit/s for outdoor areas is generally recommended. This allows immediate First Aid support for any fall, scratch, bite or cut that the children frequently receive;
Facilities with over 100 people require a First Aid Room. This requirement is over and above the the need for immediate access in the classrooms or outdoor areas.Also,
You may need portable first aid kits if you take your students on excursions with suitable adequate cover for the total number of people participating;
You should also factor the distance away from permanent and available medical services and use Remote Area First Aid Kits if professional medical help is more than an hour away. These kits include things like a whistle for attracting attention, snake bite protection and a small flashlight.

First Aiders

The National First Aid Code of Practice requirement is 1 First Aider per 25 people in your care (for low risk, non-remote facilities). The Australian Children’s Education & Care Quality Authority recommend all educators or carers are to be trained in appropriate first aid which include all of the following:

Provide First Aid – HLTAID003
Emergency Management of Asthma in the Workplace – 22024VIC
Provide Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) – HLTAID001
First Aid Management of Anaphylaxis – 22099VIC

If taking students on an excursion, it also recommended that at least one member is qualified and current in:

Provide First Aid in Remote situations – HLTAID005

One final thought, Defibrillators save lives! We recommend one Defibrillator located next to each wall mounted First Aid Kit. These machines are vital in saving a persons life when it comes to administering CPR. They are expensive, but they are worth it. Call someone now to discuss the benefits.