Can I bring my baby to the 2-hour class?

If your baby is pre-crawling they are more than welcome to come with you to the class.

I cannot arrange childcare for the class; do Mini First Aid offer childcare?

Unfortunately Mini First Aid cannot provide childcare. We can come and run a class at home for you, when little ones are safely in bed – see private classes for more information.

Do I have to do the CPR on the manikin?

Our 2 hour classes are not a qualification course therefore you do not need to be assessed carrying out CPR. Whilst we encourage everyone to take part and learn the technique, we do not pressurise anyone who feels uncomfortable to do so.

I can’t attend, can I have a refund?

Mini First Aid do not offer a refund, however providing you give reasonable notice we will happily move your booking to another date – after all we are parents too and we understand things happen.

Do I have to pay in advance?

Mini First Aid ask for all class bookings to be paid for in advance to secure your place. Our bookings are very busy; until payment is made your place is not guaranteed.

Payments for open class bookings are made through our automated payment system, Stripe. Once you have added the relevant courses/classes to your basket you will then need to checkout and make payment by entering your card details. Private class bookings, schools or workplaces, should be paid via bank transfer to the trainer upon being sent an invoice and booking confirmation.

How do I know when classes are happening in my area?

Each region will update the website with latest dates available, and regularly send out information via social media. You can contact your local trainer to be placed on a waiting list for notification of new dates.

We have a 17 year old babysitter. Is this class suitable for them?

Mini First Aid is ideal for anyone looking after babies and young children.

Wet Paper Towels – Helpful Heroes or Primary School Menace?

If you’ve ever stepped into a primary school first aid room (or playground duty!), you’ll know the familiar routine: a child arrives in tears, someone reaches for a wet paper towel, and - like magic - things seem to improve.

But are wet paper towels actually helping… or could they sometimes be doing more harm than good?

WHEN THERE'S MORE THAN JUST TEARS

Here’s where we need to be more cautious.

Germs are microscopic. We can’t see them, but they’re everywhere, on hands, surfaces, and yes… paper towels too. Particularly paper towel dispensers outside the children’s bathrooms - because let’s face it, most youngsters are not the most reliable at proper handwashing for an adequate length time before reaching for that dispensor... they are most likely riddled with germs.

If there is any break in the skin - even the tiniest graze or spot of blood, there is a risk of bacteria entering the wound. That’s how infections start. Even the most tiny wound - like a papercut - can get infected. ANY INFECTION has the potential to develop serious complications.

Using a wet paper towel in these cases can:

Introduce bacteria into the wound
Fail to properly clean the injury
Give a false sense that “first aid has been done”

And that small, minor cut or graze? It can develop into something more serious like Cellulitis or a local wound infection.

PAPER TOWELS ARE NOT FIRST AID

It’s worth being clear:

👉 A paper towel is for drying, or a comfort item for unbroken skin, not a first aid tool.
👉 It does not clean a wound effectively.
👉 It is not sterile.

Proper first aid supplies exist for a reason—and using the right equipment can make a significant difference to healing and infection prevention.

Paper towels definitely can have their place in a busy school day - they can calm tears in seconds and help children feel cared for.

The key is knowing when to move beyond them.

Being confident in that judgement is what makes school first aiders so valuable.

Upset child, no injury? ✔️ Paper towel + kindness = perfect
Any sign at all of broken skin? ❌ Skip the paper towel → use proper first aid:-
Put your gloves on, clean with a sterile wipe, and cover with a plaster or dressing.

FINAL THOUGHT

If blood comes out - even the tiniest amount - germs can get in, and infection is a risk we cannot disregard.

As school first aiders, you’re not just treating bumps and scrapes - you’re preventing complications, modelling good practice, and keeping children safe.

That quick decision - paper towel or proper first aid - really does matter.

Because when it comes to minor wounds…

What you can’t see - germs & preventing infection complications - is what matters most.

UPDATE YOUR SCHOOL STAFF WITH AWARD WINNING MINI FIRST AID TRAINING

Our accredited first aid courses for schools are Ofsted approved and fulfil EYFS requirements: Paediatric First Aid (12 hours, blended course available reducing this to one day in person), and EFAW - Emergency First Aid at Work for Schools. We run regular courses at our training venue in Didsbury, South Manchester, or we can come to your setting.

gemma@minifirstaid.co.uk