How to Get Your CPR/1st Aid Certification as a Preschool Teacher

When you are an early childhood educator, the children’s safety is your number one concern. The best way to ensure that you will be able to handle any safety situation is to be prepared. Be prepared by knowing the types of safety issues that can arise in an early care setting, doing what you can to prevent them, and knowing how to handle them properly. As a preschool teacher you will be required to be trained in CPR and first aid, here is how to get certified.

TRAINING THROUGH YOUR EMPLOYER

Often times, preschools will arrange for a CPR/1st aid trainer to come in to train the entire staff. This is a great option because it is usually paid for by your employer and is very convenient. With this option, training is usually built into an already scheduled staff training or in-service day. This means that you do not have to take any extra time out of your classroom or your personal time, it is a win-win!

ONLINE CPR/1ST AID CERTIFICATION

Next to your employer offering a certification during an in-service day, online certification is the most convenient way to get certified. Before you sign up though, make sure that this is a valid method of certification per your state licensing rules. In some states, a hands on component is required. Some will require you to always have a hands on component and some will only require that you have a hands on component for the initial certification, and not for renewals.

THE RED CROSS

The Red Cross is a well known and trusted organization with a mission to train people how to be prepared for and respond to emergency situations. Their CPR and 1st aid courses are designed and taught by trained professionals. When getting certified through the Red Cross, you are not only satisfying the requirements of your job, but meeting OSHA-mandated requirements.

The Red Cross has a variety of flexible courses that makes it possible for anyone who is physically able to perform the necessary tasks to become certified. You can choose from online only courses, in-person training, or a combination course. Through the Red Cross you can also gain further training in other safety areas relevant to preschool teachers such as swimming and water safety.

NATIONAL CPR FOUNDATION

The National CPR Foundation has one of the most streamlined courses out there. Even busy preschool teachers can find time to complete their online certification course. With an easy to use program that only takes about one hour to complete, you can do it any time. It is also one of the most affordable ways to get certified, because you only pay for your certificate and not the course instruction. They also offer group discounts. Despite the name, you can also get your first aid certification through the National CPR Foundation either on its own or in combination with your CPR certification.

Having your CPR/1st aid certification as a preschool teacher will give you the confidence you need to respond to any emergency in your classroom or on fieldtrips in a calm and effective manner. There are plenty of options of how you can earn your certification, and they do not have to be an inconvenience in your schedule.