British Red Cross - Paediatric First Aid For Choking

British Red Cross - Paediatric First Aid For Choking

With Easter on the horizon, the children in your care will be looking forward to egg hunts, chicks and Easter bunnies. But a combination of the little ones running about, decorations and treats can lead to an increased risk of choking. 

Here’s how to help if a child aged over one is choking in your setting:

1. Coughing is usually enough to clear a mild blockage, but if they are unable to breathe, cough or speak, you will need to help them clear the blockage.

2. Give up to five back blows. Bend them forward and hit them firmly on their back, between the shoulder blades.

3. If back blows do not dislodge the blockage, give up to five abdominal thrusts. Hold the child around the waist and pull inwards and upwards above their belly button. Make sure that they are bending forward. 

4. Call 999 if the blockage does not dislodge. Continue with cycles of back blows and abdominal thrusts until the blockage dislodges, help arrives, or the child becomes unresponsive.

If you would like to learn how to help a baby under the age of one who is choking download our first aid app.

Paediatric first aid requirements and the early years inspection: Everything you need to know

Ofsted inspections cover a range of areas including quality of teaching, pupil behaviour and opportunities for personal development - with child safety and first aid support playing key roles.

In this blog, we hope to offer some guidance on how to comply with Ofsted’s paediatric first aid requirements and provide a safe environment for your children to thrive. With our assistance, you’ll have the answer to the key question - “what do Ofsted look for in a nursery or other childcare environment?”

The information in this article is provided by the British Red Cross and does not represent Morton Michel.