This anaphylaxis awareness course for early years staff explains what anaphylaxis is, what triggers it, and how it is recognised and diagnosed. Anaphylaxis is a rare but severe allergic reaction — affecting around 1 in 1,300 people in England — that can develop in people of any age and is slightly more common in females than males.
For a nursery or early years setting, the practical value is simple: a reaction can begin within minutes of contact with an allergen, such as a food, and can cause rashes, nausea and breathing problems as the immune system goes into shock. Staff who understand what is happening, and why, are far better placed to respond calmly and appropriately when a child in their care is affected.
What you’ll learn
- What anaphylaxis is and why it is potentially so serious
- How common anaphylaxis is and who it can affect
- The causes and triggers of anaphylaxis, including allergens such as food
- How quickly a reaction can develop and what happens in the body
- The signs of a reaction, including rashes, nausea and breathing problems
- How anaphylaxis is diagnosed
Who this course is for
This course is designed for anyone working in a nursery, pre-school or wider childcare setting who may care for children with allergies. Because anaphylaxis can affect people of all ages and can develop without warning, it is suitable awareness training for every member of your team, from apprentices through to managers.
Why this training matters
Anaphylaxis is a potentially fatal condition, and young children may be unable to describe what they are feeling as a reaction develops. Building your team’s awareness of triggers and symptoms supports the safe management of allergies across your setting, and your completion certificate can be used as evidence for compliance and audit purposes.
How the course works
The course is completed online at your own pace, with a guided duration of around one hour — short enough to fit into a single quiet spell or staff development session. Once enrolled, you work through the material at a time that suits you and your setting.
Your certificate
Successful candidates are awarded the National Nursery Training Anaphylaxis Course Completion Certificate, confirming completion for compliance and audit purposes and supporting your continuing professional development (CPD). National Nursery Training is an NFAQ-accredited provider and an accredited CPD Training Provider (#776846) with the CPD Accreditation Group.
