Part of the SafeHands Employer’s Guide Series – Paediatric First Aid
A first aid kit is an essential piece of safety equipment in any childcare setting. But having a box of supplies somewhere on the premises is not enough – it needs to be suitably equipped, safely stored, easily accessible and ready for use whenever children are in your care.
For registered pre-school services in Ireland, this is also a regulatory requirement. Under Regulation 25, providers must ensure that a suitably equipped first aid box for children is safely stored in an easily accessible and conspicuous position and is available to children attending the service at all times.
This Employer’s Guide looks at what childcare providers should consider when managing their first aid kits, where they should be kept, how often they should be checked and why first aid equipment needs to be supported by appropriately trained staff.
For a broader overview of first aid responsibilities in childcare settings, read our Paediatric First Aid Requirements for Childcare Providers in Ireland | Employer’s Guide
Do Childcare Providers Need a First Aid Kit?
Yes. Registered pre-school services must have a suitably equipped first aid box for children available at all times.
Tusla’s Early Years Inspectorate states that the box must be:
- Suitably equipped for children
- Safely stored
- Easily accessible
- In a conspicuous position
- Available whenever children are attending the service.
The important point for providers is that simply owning a first aid kit is not enough. It must remain suitable and ready for use.
What Should a Childcare First Aid Kit Contain?
The first aid supplies required should reflect the needs of the children, the size and nature of the service and the risks that have been identified.
Typical first aid supplies may include items such as:
- Disposable gloves
- Sterile wound dressings
- Adhesive plasters in appropriate sizes
- Sterile eye dressings
- Triangular bandages
- Individually wrapped sterile wipes
- Scissors
- Resuscitation protection
- Cold packs
- Appropriate first aid guidance
Providers should ensure that the contents of their kits are appropriate for children and the particular needs and activities of their service.
Does Every Childcare Service Need the Same First Aid Kit?
Not necessarily. A first aid kit should reflect the environment in which it may need to be used.
Providers should consider factors such as:
- The number and ages of children attending
- The size and layout of the premises
- Indoor and outdoor activities
- Identified hazards
- Outings and excursions
- Any additional first aid arrangements required by the service
A larger childcare setting may also need first aid supplies in more than one location to ensure they can be reached quickly when required.
Where Should a First Aid Kit Be Kept?
Tusla requires the first aid box to be safely stored while remaining easily accessible and conspicuous.
This means providers need to balance two important considerations: children should not have unsupervised access to first aid supplies, but staff should be able to retrieve the kit quickly during an emergency.
All relevant staff should know:
- Where first aid kits are located
- How to access them
- Who is responsible for maintaining them
- What procedures should be followed when first aid is required
A first aid kit that staff cannot locate quickly is of little use in an emergency.
How Often Should Childcare First Aid Kits Be Checked?
First aid kits should be checked regularly and after they have been used.
Providers should look for:
- Missing supplies
- Items that need replenishing
- Damaged packaging
- Products that have passed their expiry date
- Equipment that is no longer suitable
Assigning responsibility for these checks to a particular staff member can help ensure they are carried out consistently.
This is particularly important in childcare settings because first aid supplies may be used regularly for relatively minor incidents such as cuts and grazes.
Why Expiry Dates Matter
First aid equipment should be fit for use when an incident occurs.
Previous Tusla analysis of Early Years inspections identified inadequately stocked first aid boxes as a recurring area of non-compliance, including instances where supplies had exceeded their expiry dates.
Regular checks therefore shouldn't simply involve looking inside the box to see whether it appears full. Individual supplies should be checked and replaced where necessary.
What About First Aid Kits on Childcare Outings?
First aid provision should also be considered when children leave the premises.
Depending on the nature of the service and outing, providers should ensure appropriate first aid supplies are readily available and that first aid cover is maintained.
Tusla specifically advises services to consider outings and the transportation of children when determining how many staff need first aid training.
This means first aid planning shouldn't stop at the front door of the childcare setting.
Is Having a First Aid Kit Enough?
No. A first aid kit provides the equipment needed to deal with certain injuries and emergencies, but it cannot replace properly trained staff.
Regulation 25 requires a person trained in first aid for children to be immediately available to children attending a pre-school service at all times.
First aid equipment and staff competence therefore need to work together.
For more information, see our Paediatric First Aid Requirements for Childcare Providers in Ireland | Employer’s Guide.
Common First Aid Kit Mistakes to Avoid
Even where a first aid kit is provided, problems can arise if it isn't properly managed.
Common mistakes can include:
- Allowing supplies to run out
- Keeping expired products
- Storing the kit somewhere difficult to access
- Staff not knowing where it is kept
- Failing to replace items after use
- Not considering first aid provision for outings
- Assuming the same first aid arrangements will suit every childcare service
A simple system of regular checks can prevent many of these problems.
Make First Aid Checks Part of Your Routine
Managing a childcare first aid kit doesn't need to be complicated.
Providers can incorporate checks into their regular health and safety routines, with responsibility assigned to a named member of staff.
A straightforward record can also help demonstrate when the kit was last checked and whether supplies were replaced.
The objective is simple: when first aid equipment is needed, it should be there and ready to use.
How SafeHands Can Help
SafeHands Health & Safety Solutions provides practical, onsite Paediatric First Aid Training for childcare providers and their staff.
Our face-to-face training helps participants develop the practical skills and confidence needed to respond to injuries and medical emergencies involving babies and children.
Onsite instruction also gives participants the opportunity to practise essential first aid techniques under the guidance of an experienced instructor – helping turn first aid knowledge into practical skills that can be applied when they are needed most. Contact the SafeHands team today to discuss your options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does every childcare setting need a first aid kit?
Registered pre-school services are required to have a suitably equipped first aid box for children that is safely stored, easily accessible and available at all times while children are attending.
Where should a childcare first aid kit be stored?
It should be safely stored in an easily accessible and conspicuous position. Staff should be able to reach it quickly while ensuring it is stored safely around children.
How often should a childcare first aid kit be checked?
Regular checks should be carried out and the kit should also be reviewed after use. Supplies that are missing, damaged, unsuitable or expired should be replaced.
Do childcare providers need a first aid kit for outings?
First aid provision should form part of planning for outings and activities away from the premises. Providers should consider the nature of the outing, the children attending, identified risks and the availability of trained staff.
Is a first aid kit enough to meet childcare first aid requirements?
No. Appropriate equipment needs to be supported by trained staff. Registered pre-school services must ensure a person trained in first aid for children is immediately available to the children at all times.
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