NURSERY staff in Bourton-on-the-Water are set to be trained in life-saving paediatric first aid, following new Government legislation.

Every new pre-school and nursery staff member across the UK will be required to complete the training, which equips staff in how to deal with a child who is choking, bleeding, unresponsive, or has been burned or scalded.

St John Ambulance is holding a training course at its Bourton Centre, along with centres in Staverton, Stroud, Coleford and Tewkesbury.

Andrew New, the charity’s head of education and training products said: "We believe all child facing roles should be first aid trained, so we welcome the government’s proposals as this will have a real impact on the safety of children in nurseries and similar places."

St John Ambulance runs two-day paediatric first aid courses throughout the year and a new, one-day emergency paediatric first aid course will start from Thursday, September 1.

Early years providers must have at least one paediatric first aider available on the premises at all times and a certain number of staff with Level 2 and 3 qualifications to fulfil the required ratio of qualified carers per child.

The new proposals mean, in addition to a childcare Level 2 and 3 qualification, newly qualified staff will also need an emergency paediatric first aid or full paediatric first aid certificate if they want to be counted towards the required ratio.

The move will increase the number of trained staff per child – a life-saving change that will add approximately 15,000 additional trained early years professionals to nurseries and pre-schools each and every year.

To book a training course call 0844 770 4800 and for more information at St John Ambulance visit sja.org.uk