Child Matters

Child Matters Child Matters is an accredited first aid training provider that specialises in paediatric courses & sessions for parents, carers & childcare professionals.

We are passionate about training as many people as possible in these vital skills.

**Spaces remaining on our March paediatric first aid courses in Yarnton, St Albans and Marlow** To book any of these dat...
23/02/2026

**Spaces remaining on our March paediatric first aid courses in Yarnton, St Albans and Marlow**

To book any of these dates plus others in 2026 visit our booking calendar:- child-matters.co.uk/events

Or contact me, Claire Street, at contact@childmatters.info or call 07788 7206122.

Each date runs both the 12hr blended Paediatric First Aid (6hrs online/6hrs classroom) qualification for childcare professionals and the 6hr Emergency Paediatric First Aid for childminders and nannies.

- 9am - 4pm
- 3 year certificate
- Exceed EYFS requirements & enables you to register for Ofsted
- CPD accredited course.

18/02/2026

A fantastic evening with Olivier Picard and his team of 12 pharmacists from Newdays Pharmacy teaching Basic Life Support.

Hear what Olivier had to say about our level 2 training with Anaphylaxis.

16/02/2026

Great event this week at Great Marlow School teaching Junior First Aid to y 7 - 11 students.

A fully interactive fundraising exercise organised by the schools’s PTA meant that the students learnt essential life skills whilst raising much needed funds for their school.

Topics included -

👍 Defibrillators
👍 DRABC
👍 CPR
👍 Life‑threatening bleeding
👍 Anaphylaxis
👍 Burns
👍 Choking
👍 Seizures
👍 Using a mobile phone in an emergency
👍 Websites and apps that can help save a life

If your school or PTA is interested in running a Junior First Aid course, please get in touch. We would love to support you.
Friends of Great Marlow School

Today we'll talk about E = 'Epidermis' in the ABCDE of Childhood Illnesses.Skin Rashes and MEASLES are back!Symptoms of ...
15/02/2026

Today we'll talk about E = 'Epidermis' in the ABCDE of Childhood Illnesses.

Skin Rashes and MEASLES are back!

Symptoms of measles to look out for:
🦠 Fever
🦠 Cough and Runny Nose
🦠 Red Eyes/Conjunctivitis
🦠 Skin rash that classically starts behind the ears/in the hairline then spreads down the body.
🦠Can be textured, not itchy, not uniformly red, blotchy.

Contact your GP if you suspect measles and read our blog about other common childhood rashes:-
https://www.child-matters.co.uk/rashes-in-children/

Go to A&E if your child has a rash and they:
1. have changes to their breathing (increased effect or more rapid)
2. less wet nappies or visits to the toilet
3. seem confused/disinterested or inappropriate are shaking uncontrollably
4. have a fever you can’t control
5. have unusually icy cold hands and feet
6. have a rash that doesn’t fade when you press a glass against it
7. have a stiff neck
8.are bothered by light.
These can be signs of worsening illness, sepsis or meningitis.

Show some love this 💞Valentines day by learning CPR. CPR saves lives! And proper hand placement is vital for effective c...
13/02/2026

Show some love this 💞Valentines day by learning CPR.

CPR saves lives! And proper hand placement is vital for effective chest compressions. It helps to maintain blood flow to essential organs until help arrives.

These lifesaving skills are really simple to learn and yet could mean the difference between life and death. If someone is in cardiac arrest, their heart stops beating and without help they will die.

Refer to images from ProTrainings for proper hand placement for:-

1. Infant up to 1yr
2. Child 1 to 12yrs
3. Adolesent 13 to 18yrs
4. Adult as well as instructions on how to give CPR.

Today we'll talk about D = 'Diarrhoea & Vomiting' in the ABCDE of Childhood Illnesses.Gastroenteritis is a common illnes...
13/02/2026

Today we'll talk about D = 'Diarrhoea & Vomiting' in the ABCDE of Childhood Illnesses.

Gastroenteritis is a common illness in infants and young children lasting for up to 7 days. It usually causes frequent loose/watery bowel motions (diarrhoea) and often vomiting. Most children with gastroenteritis can be safely managed at home, with advice and support from a medical professional if necessary.

How to treat Gastroenteritis:-
Medicine is usually not necessary or helpful; it just has to run its course. Sometimes vomiting, diarrhoea, fever and loss of appetite can make your child lose more fluid than they can take in, which may lead to dehydration. Replacing lost fluid is most important, so it’s essential your child keeps drinking. The more vomiting and loose stools, the more fluid your child needs to replace.

Your child will be more likely to keep fluids down if:

1. You give small amounts but often from a syringe or from a teaspoon.
2. Do not expect them to eat meals – try to replace the meals with fluids.
3. The fluids do not stop the loose stools or vomiting but decreases the likelihood of your child becoming dehydrated.
4. Aim to reintroduce food slowly as soon as possible once your child’s vomiting and diarrhoea has stopped or after 12-24hrs.
5. If vomiting reoccurs go back to just giving fluid. Do not give fruit juice or fizzy drinks until after the diarrhoea has stopped.

Look out for these signs that require medical attention:-

- Passing less urine than usual e.g. dry nappies
- Increased thirst, dry mouth, no tears
- Sunken eyes, sunken fontanelle (soft spot on babies head)
- Changing responsiveness e.g. irritable, tiredness, drowsy
- Pale or mottled skin
- Cold extremities
- Green bile in vomit or blood/mucus in stools
- Breathing faster than normal.

Oral electrolyte solutions: Dioralyte ™ (other makes available) is a specially designed drink to replace fluids and body salts lost during vomiting or diarrhoea. Available from chemists and off the shelf at supermarkets, they are generally the best early treatment for gastroenteritis.

Today we'll talk about C = 'Croup' in the ABCDE of Childhood Illnesses.➡️ Croup is inflammation of the upper airways cau...
12/02/2026

Today we'll talk about C = 'Croup' in the ABCDE of Childhood Illnesses.

➡️ Croup is inflammation of the upper airways caused by a viral infection where the voice box (larynx) and windpipe (trachea) become inflamed. It most commonly affects children from age 6 months through to around 4 years old.

Symptoms to look out for:
✅ Cough that sounds like a barking seal.
✅ Noisy or squeaky breathing as your child breaths in. It might be there all the time or only when they get upset.
✅ A hoarse voice, difficulty breathing, a fever, runny nose and sore throat.
✅ Croup symptoms are usually worse at night.

How can you manage Croup at home?
➡️ Try and keep your child calm and relaxed
➡️ Keep up fluids
➡️ Paracetamol or ibuprofen can make them more comfortable
➡️ Dressing them warmly and then going outside into the cool air can help calm down inflammation and lessen symptoms.

⚠️ You should see your GP or call 111 if you think your child has Croup because there are medications called steroids that can reduce the swelling and help with symptoms.

When do you need to get to hospital?
You should call 999 / go to A&E if:
✅ Your child is having difficulty breathing - are they sucking in under the ribs or tummy?
✅ If your child goes blue/grey/pale/mottled.
✅ They are sleepy and difficult to wake up.
✅ They are limp or floppy.
✅ They are drooling a lot or finding it hard to swallow.
✅ They are very upset and restless and want to be sat up.
✅ They seem unwell - trust your parenting instinct!

There are other medications that A&E may give through a nebuliser to help reduce the swelling if your child is very poorly.

Today we'll talk about B = 'Bronchiolitis' in the ABCDE of Childhood Illnesses.Bronchiolitis is a viral chest infection ...
11/02/2026

Today we'll talk about B = 'Bronchiolitis' in the ABCDE of Childhood Illnesses.

Bronchiolitis is a viral chest infection that tends to affect babies and children under two years old. It's most commonly caused by the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).

Bronchiolitis usually starts with a runny or blocked nose like the common cold, and over 2-3 days the infection may pass down to the smaller airways (bronchioles) in your child’s lungs causing them to become inflamed and clogged up with mucus. It can make your baby or toddler cough and become breathless. This makes it hard for them to breathe and feed.

Most children only develop mild symptoms which clear up after a few days, and clear up fully usually after less than a month. Almost all make a full recovery with no long-term effects.

However sometimes it can be more serious.

Call 999 for urgent help if:
1. Your child is struggling to breathe. They may grunt or draw the muscles under their chest in when they breathe. This makes them look like they are breathing with their tummy.
2. Your child’s breathing stops for 20 seconds or longer on one occasion, or there are regular shorter pauses in their breathing.
3. The colour of your baby's skin inside the lips or under the tongue turns blue.

Schools and nurseries are managing high levels of childhood illness as children fight against a wide range of viruses an...
10/02/2026

Schools and nurseries are managing high levels of childhood illness as children fight against a wide range of viruses and illnesses. Child Matters is here with the A to E of what we’re seeing in A&E, from bronchiolitis and croup to norovirus and measles.

Keep a look out each day as we'll be posting one Letter from the ABCDE of childhood illness, starting today with:-

A = Asthma.

Childhood asthma causes airway inflammation, leading to coughing, wheezing, and breathing difficulties. Key management includes using a reliever (usually blue) inhaler with a spacer during attacks, creating a written asthma action plan, and identifying triggers. Immediate medical attention is required for severe symptoms like gasping, struggling to breathe, or no improvement after medication.

Key Action Steps for Asthma Attacks
1. Keep Calm and Sit Up: Sit the child upright,, not lying down, to ease breathing.
2. Use Inhaler and Spacer: Give one puff of the reliever inhaler every 30 to 60 seconds, up to 10 puffs. If you have an AIR or MART inhaler (used for both preventing and treating symptoms), take 1 puff every 1 to 3 minutes until you feel better, up to a maximum of 6 puffs.
3. Call Emergency Services (999/emergency services): If the child is not getting better, feels worse, or you are worried at any point.
4. Never Leave Alone: Always stay with a child experiencing symptoms.

Management and Prevention
1. Asthma Action Plan: A personalized plan from a doctor is essential for managing daily medication (preventer inhalers) and knowing when to seek help.
2. Common Triggers: Identify and avoid triggers such as dust, smoke, pollen, and pet dander.
3. School/Nursery: Ensure school staff are trained and have access to a spare inhaler.

Thank you Lucy for your email thanking us for training the whole school. It was our pleasure and we are very pleased y...
09/02/2026

Thank you Lucy for your email thanking us for training the whole school. It was our pleasure and we are very pleased you are ok following your choking incident.

First aid emergencies can happen anywhere at any time. You never know when you'll need to use lifesaving skills, but it's always better to know it and not need it, than need it and not know it.

And just a reminder, if someone is choking give them 5 firm back blows followed by 5 abdominal thrusts and repeat.

**Spaces remaining on our March paediatric first aid courses in Yarnton and St Albans** To book either of these dates pl...
09/02/2026

**Spaces remaining on our March paediatric first aid courses in Yarnton and St Albans**

To book either of these dates plus others in 2026 visit our booking calendar:- child-matters.co.uk/events

Or contact me, Claire Street, at contact@childmatters.info or call 07788 7206122.

Each date runs both the 12hr blended Paediatric First Aid (6hrs online/6hrs classroom) qualification for childcare professionals and the 6hr Emergency Paediatric First Aid for childminders and nannies.

- 9am - 4pm
- 3 year certificate
- Exceed EYFS requirements & enables you to register for Ofsted
- CPD accredited course.

Address

54 Wycombe Road
High Wycombe
SL73JH

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Child Matters posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Practice

Send a message to Child Matters:

Shortcuts

Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on LinkedIn
Share on Pinterest Share on Reddit Share via Email
Share on WhatsApp Share on Instagram Share on Telegram

Category

About Child Matters

Hi. I’m Claire Street, founder of Child Matters, who provide paediatric first aid training, family first aid training and junior first aid training to childcare professionals, parents, carers and kids. I’m a specialist paediatric nurse, who qualified as a Registered Children’s Nurse at Great Ormond Street Hospital London in 1998. I’ve worked continuously within roles in major London hospitals and community settings, which included working as a Senior Sister in A&E departments. acquiring the skills to care for injured, sick and vulnerable children.

My love for assessing and educating people have been consolidated through working in community based positions, most recently with Looked After Children in London’s third largest borough. This role involved training foster careers and social workers about basic life support, first aid, child development and childhood injury and illnesses. My expertise has been strengthened by the undertaking of her Master’s Degree in Child Protection and Complex Child Care at the Tavistock and Portman Centre in London in 2008.

I continue to keep my skills updated with various training courses PILS (Paediatric Intermediate Life Support, AIM (Acute Illness Management Course) and first aid related conferences, courses and study days. This growing body of experience has given me and my team the motivation and expertise unique to Child Matters.