Aid CPR Skills Every Child Care Provider Should Practice Monthly - post

Why should child care providers practice Aid CPR skills every month?

Emergencies in child care are rare—but when they happen, you do not get a “do-over.” Monthly practice helps you move faster and stay calmer. It also helps your whole team work together.

Think of it like a fire drill for your hands and your brain: short practice now can save a life later. 

What Aid CPR skills #matter most in a child care setting?

In child care, the most important Aid CPR skills are the ones that help you respond to:

• Breathing problems 
• Choking
• Cardiac emergencies (heart stops)
• Common urgent first aid needs (bleeding, allergic reactions, seizures)

A strong way to learn and refresh these skills is to take a course and then do short monthly practice with your team. These AidCPR trainings are directly related and cover the skills providers use most often:

• Pediatric Blended First Aid & CPR/AED Adult, Child, Infant
• CPR & AED Adult, Child, Infant - Blended
• Pediatric RSV First Aid & CPR/AED

How can we practice monthly without taking a lot of time?

You can do meaningful practice in 10–20 minutes. The key is to keep it simple and repeat it often.

Try this easy monthly #plan:

• Pick one skill to focus on each week
• Practice for 10 minutes
• End with a 2-minute “what if?” talk (quick questions and answers)

Important: Never practice CPR techniques on real children. Practice on a manikin or with “air practice” (hand placement and steps only).

What should we practice first: the “first minute” steps?

Yes. The first minute is when many people #freeze.

Practice this short routine:

• Check the scene: Is it #safe for you and the children?
• Check the child: Tap and shout (or gently touch and speak for an infant).
• Call for help: Send a #staff member to call 911 and bring the AED (if you have one).
• Start care: Begin CPR or choking help right away.

Team tip: Practice saying clear directions out loud:

• “Call 911 now.”
• “Bring the AED and first aid kit.”
• “Take the other children to the safe area.”

How do we practice chest compressions the right way?

Chest compressions are the core of CPR. Many people forget the basics when they feel #stress.

Practice these points monthly:

• Hand placement: Center of the chest
• Push hard and fast
• Let the chest come back up between pushes
• Keep going until help arrives or the child responds

If your team has a CPR manikin, do short “compression rounds”:

• 30 seconds each person
• Switch quickly
• Coach each other kindly

How do we practice rescue breaths and masks safely?

If your training includes rescue breaths, practice the steps with a barrier mask (like a face shield or pocket mask).

Monthly practice ideas:

• Find where your masks are stored
• Practice opening the mask case quickly
• Practice head-tilt/chin-lift steps (on a manikin)

Also practice these reminders:

• Use gloves when possible
• Use a barrier device when giving breaths
• If you are not trained in breaths, follow your course guidance and #center policy

How do we practice choking response for infants and children?

Choking can happen fast in child care. Monthly practice helps you remember what to do without panic.

Practice these skills:

• How to spot choking: a child cannot breathe, cough, or make a sound
• Infant choking help: back blows and chest thrusts (as taught in training)
• Child choking help: abdominal thrusts (as taught in training)
• What to do if the child becomes unresponsive: start CPR steps and call 911

Quick drill idea:

• One staff member #pretends to notice choking
• Another staff member calls 911 (practice the script)
• Another staff member clears the room and supervises other children

How do we practice AED steps (even if we rarely use it)?

If your program has an AED, everyone should know the basic steps—even if they never touch it in real life.

Practice these monthly:

• Where the AED is located
• How to open it and turn it on
• How to follow the voice prompts
• Who stays with the child, and who manages the group

Even if you do not have an AED, you can still practice:

• “Send someone to get the AED from the main office next door,” or
• “Ask the building manager for the AED.”

What first aid skills should we practice along with CPR?

Aid CPR training often includes key first aid actions. In child care, these come up often.

Add one quick first aid practice each month, such as: 

• Bleeding: apply pressure, add bandage, keep pressure on
• Allergic reactions: know where epinephrine is stored (if authorized), call 911
• Asthma: follow the child’s plan, watch breathing, call family/911 as needed
• Seizures: protect from injury, place on side after, do not put anything in mouth

A helpful free resource to support monthly practice is:

• First Aid for Seizures Info Sheet

What should we check monthly in our #emergency supplies?

Skills and supplies go together. If your gloves are missing or your first aid kit is empty, emergencies get harder.

Each month, check:

• Gloves (multiple sizes)
• Barrier masks / face shields
• Bandages, gauze, tape
• Ice packs
• Updated emergency contacts
• AED pads/battery date (if you have one)

This free checklist can help your program stay prepared:

• Emergency Supply List

What is a simple monthly practice schedule we can actually follow?

Here is a realistic plan that fits busy child care days:

Week 1 (10–15 minutes): CPR basics

• “First minute” steps
• Compressions practice

Week 2 (10–15 minutes): Choking

• Infant steps review
• Child steps review
• Role practice: who calls 911, who supervises

Week 3 (10–15 minutes): AED + teamwork

• Find AED
• Turn on and follow prompts (practice only)
• Practice clear staff roles

Week 4 (10–15 minutes): First aid scenario
Pick one:

• Bleeding
• Allergic reaction
• Seizure (use the info sheet)

Keep a simple log:

• Date
• Skill practiced
• Who attended
• One thing to improve next time

Where can I learn more and build long-term confidence?

For a related ChildCareEd article that supports emergency readiness in child care, read:

• The Importance of Emergency and Disaster Preparedness Plans for Child Care Providers

And for more tips you can share with your team, follow ChildCareEd on social (and pick your favorite platform):
https://linktr.ee/childcareed — Follow today for training updates and child care safety ideas!