All staff working in licensed Pennsylvania child care programs who have responsibility for children must complete Pediatric First Aid and CPR. This includes staff in child care centers, group child care homes, and family child care homes.

Newly hired staff must complete Pediatric First Aid and CPR within 90 days of hire. Until training is completed, staff may not be left alone with children. Certifications must remain current and be renewed before their expiration date. Expired certifications place a program out of compliance. Certifications must be renewed every two years.

Yes. Courses must be specifically focused on infants and children. Adult-only First Aid or CPR courses do not meet Pennsylvania child care requirements for staff. Course titles and certifications must clearly state “Pediatric” or “Infant/Child.”

Training must include an in-person, hands-on skills component. Fully online courses without in-person skills practice do not meet compliance requirements and are not acceptable. Approved blended or hybrid courses are acceptable if they include an online portion (Part 1) followed by an in-person, hands-on skills session (Part 2) completed with an approved instructor.

No. Child care providers and programs do not need to use the ECELS to coordinate completion of their required Pediatric First Aid or CPR training. They may use any PQAS-approved instructor who teaches an OCDEL-recognized curriculum. PQAS-approved providers can be found by searching the PD Registry.

No. Each individual must complete Pediatric First Aid and CPR themselves and claim their own certificate. A program director or other staff cannot complete training on behalf of others, even if they provide support. Each employee is responsible for completing their own training.

Pediatric First Aid CPR AED training is available for free to Pennsylvania child care providers on a first come, first serve basis as long as funds are available.

Note: You must be currently employed at a licensed PA ECE program. To be considered please complete the appropriate form above.