Early Childhood Education - Preparing Your Teachers with a CPR Certification

How to ensure your teaching staff knows their ABC’s...and CPR

I recently had the opportunity to return to my children’s preschool as a certified AHA instructor to provide CPR recertification to the Early Childhood Center’s entire staff. Though a Basic Life Support (BLS) and Heartsaver CPR / AED certifications are valid for two years, this particular preschool program requires their teachers to undergo recertification annually.

Starting the course for 50 women, many whom I have known for 12 years since my oldest began preschool there, was particularly daunting. These teachers have taken this adult and child CPR / AED course every year - what new information did I have to offer? Why did they need to listen to me? Could I keep them engaged for three hours?

Changes to the AHA-accredited CPR Certification

In 2015, changes were made to the life-saving protocols handed down by the American Heart Association. Anyone who has been certified prior to 2015 should immediately register for an updated CPR class! Changes have impacted not only how compressions are provided while performing CPR but also to how choking victims are treated. Many of these changes were new information for these preschool teachers and they were grateful to learn the updates.

Learn CPR by being hands on

The greatest feedback I received was in regards to how hard I made them work and how much they needed to practice.

“★★★★★ in the last week

I have been doing CPR every year for the past 10 years. This year was the most hands on knowledgeable class I have ever taken. The instruction was excellent. Thank you Elit for all your help in making me a more confident person in CPR.”

“★★★★★ a week ago

Elit and Sean did an outstanding job at our preschool's CPR training yesterday. I have been taking this course from others for many years, but this was the first time I came out feeling truly prepared.”

By providing hands on training, the information is absorbed more intensely and the teachers will feel more confident if they are faced with the need of providing high-quality CPR to one of their preschool students. When given the option of taking an online only course vs. an American Heart Association class offered in the classroom, remember that there is no substitute for hands-on learning!

What preschool teachers need to know

Depending on whether your school is solely a preschool or also offers a day care option, there are a variety of CPR classes that could be applicable for your teachers. If you offer day care and enroll children under the age of one year, your teachers should receive an infant CPR / AED certification. If you also offer early childhood education up through pre-k or kindergarten, your teachers should be certified in pediatric CPR as well as adult CPR. Also consider adding on a First Aid certification for your teachers so that they are prepared for many different types of medical emergencies.