First Aid for Parents and Caregivers

Child-specific skills for the emergencies that matter most to you

Children and infants need different first aid techniques to adults. This course gives you practical, hands-on skills to respond to the emergencies most likely to affect young children. 

Recognising and responding:

• How to identify when a child needs urgent help
• Primary assessment for infants and young children
• How to call for help and what to tell emergency services

Life support for little ones:

• CPR for infants and young children (techniques differ from adults, so you'll practice both)
• Choking rescue for babies and children
• Recovery position adapted for small children

Common childhood emergencies:

• Severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis)
• Asthma attacks
• Seizures and febrile convulsions
• Life-threatening bleeding and shock

Injuries and accidents:

• Burns and scalds
• Fractures
• Poisoning

Practical, hands-on learning: You'll practice every skill with guidance from an experienced instructor. The course includes demonstrations and hands-on exercises, so you leave feeling genuinely prepared. 

Your certification

Certificate awarded: First Aid for Parents and Caregivers Attendance Certificate
Duration: 4 hours face-to-face
No expiry date on attendance certificate
This course does not award NZQA Unit Standards. If you need unit standards for in-home childcare work, our Essential First Aid course (NZQA 6401, 6402) is the right choice.

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You'll benefit from this course if you:

• Are a parent of a baby, toddler, or young child
• Are a grandparent, whānau member, or family caregiver
• Regularly care for young children in any capacity
• Want child-specific skills in a relaxed, family-friendly setting
• Have no previous first aid experience (none required)

Why child-specific training matters

Standard first aid courses cover adults primarily, with limited focus on infants and children. This course puts young children at the front and centre of every skill, scenario, and technique tailored to the emergencies you're most likely to face as a parent or caregiver.

Knowing that infant CPR differs from adult CPR, or how to safely help a choking baby, could make the difference in a real emergency. This course gives you that confidence.

Do I need this course or Essential First Aid?

In short: If you're a parent or caregiver wanting practical child-focused skills, this course is for you. If you provide paid in-home childcare or need NZQA unit standards for licensing purposes, choose Essential First Aid instead.

Not sure? Call us at 0800 RED CROSS (733 27677) and we'll help you the find the right course for your needs. 

What to expect on the day

This course is designed with parents and caregivers in mind. You can expect:

• A welcoming, relaxed atmosphere where questions are encouraged
• Plain English explanations (no medical jargon)
• Hands-on practice with infant and child manikins
• Realistic scenarios based on common childhood emergencies
• Like-minded people who share your motivation to protect their children

No experience needed

You don't need any prior first aid knowledge to attend. The course starts from the basics and builds your confidence step by step.

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What you need

Please bring:

• Comfortable clothes you can kneel and move around in
• Note-taking materials if you like 

To receive your certificate:

• Attend the full 4-hour course
• Participate in hands-on practice exercises

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A note on certification

This course awards an attendance certificate, not an NZQA qualification. It's designed to give parents and caregivers genuinely useful skills, not to meet specific workplace compliance requirements.

If you need NZQA Unit Standards for in-home childcare licensing or employment purposes, please book our Essential First Aid course instead, which awards Unit Standards 6401 and 6402.

Booking options

Individual bookings:
Join a scheduled course at one of our training centres. You'll be in a small group with other parents and caregivers.

Group bookings:
This course is ideal for groups of parents through schools, Plunket, early childhood centres, or parent communities. For groups, we can come to your venue. Email firstaid@redcross.org.nz to arrange a group session. 

Flexible booking

Need to reschedule? Contact us at least 2 business days before your course and we'll move you to another date at no charge.

Cancellations: Full cancellation policy details are provided when you book. Please refer to our First Aid Training Terms and Conditions for further information.