Safety

First-aid course for nannies: requirement, recommendation & providers (Switzerland)

A swallowed Lego brick, a fall from the climbing frame, an electric shock in the kitchen - emergencies with children happen suddenly. Here's whether a first-aid course is mandatory for your nanny, which courses are the right ones, what they cost and who pays.

Reading time: 5 min · Last updated: May 2026

The 30-second answer

✓Legally required? No - but strongly recommended, and often required in the contract.
✓Recommended: BLS-AED-SRC + paediatric module. Refresh every 2 years.
✓Providers: Swiss Red Cross (SRK), Samaritans, IVR, Sirmed.
✓Cost: CHF 130-280. Recommendation: family pays - it's an investment in safety.

Is a first-aid course mandatory?

There is no federal law in Switzerland requiring nannies to hold a first-aid course. Unlike childminders (Tagesmütter), who need cantonal permits, the role of nanny is less regulated.

However:

●For au pair placements, a first-aid course is often a condition of the permit in many cantons.
●For day-care families (childminders, day-care centres), a BLS-AED course is mandatory under cantonal law.
●You can make it a condition in your contract with the nanny - many families do, and it's highly advisable.
●In the event of harm (the child is injured) without first-aid knowledge: questions of duty of care arise - both criminally and civilly.

The Weber family in Bern wrote into the contract with their nanny Carla: 'First-aid certificate (BLS-AED) to be obtained or presented within the first 60 days. The employer covers the cost.' That's the clean approach.

Which course is the right one?

For childcare, three components are central. A proper course covers all three:

BLS-AED-SRC (Basic Life Support + Defibrillator)

The Swiss standard: resuscitation, chest compressions, mouth-to-mouth, defibrillator use. Certified by the Swiss Resuscitation Council (SRC). Duration: 4 hours.

Paediatric first aid (child module)

Specific to infants and small children: swallowed objects, febrile seizures, falls, burns, poisoning. 4-8 hours. Important: BLS for children differs from adult BLS.

Emergencies in young children (practical)

Focus on common everyday situations: falls, cuts, insect stings, allergic reactions, airway emergencies. Often packaged in a 'First Aid for Children' combo course.

💡 My tip: 'Emergency Aid for Children' from SRK

The Swiss Red Cross (SRK) offers a specialist course 'Emergency Aid for Children' (8 hours, CHF 220) - combining BLS-AED + paediatric emergencies. Exactly what a nanny needs. Don't confuse this with the standard emergency course (for the driving licence), which is not enough.

Emergency checklist - what your nanny must know

These 5 topics should appear in every paediatric emergency course.

Provider comparison

Three main providers dominate the first-aid course market in Switzerland:

Provider	Recommended course	Duration	Price
Swiss Red Cross (SRK)	Emergency Aid for Children	8 hrs	CHF 200-250
Samaritans Switzerland	First Aid for Children / BLS-AED combo	6-8 hrs	CHF 150-250
IVR (Inter-Association Rescue Services)	BLS-AED-SRC + paediatric module	8 hrs	CHF 220-280
Sirmed / private providers	Emergency Aid for Children / Babysitter course	4-8 hrs	CHF 130-220

Special case: Sirmed (Swiss Institute for Emergency Medicine) offers high-quality courses - recommended for full-time nannies or families with children with pre-existing conditions (asthma, allergies, diabetes).

Tip: the Swiss Nanny Association

The Swiss Nanny Association (SNA) - the only non-profit for nannies, families and agencies in Switzerland - regularly runs first-aid and CPR courses (e.g. with HealthFirst) and training days designed for nannies.

See the Swiss Nanny Association's courses↗

Who pays for the course?

There's no legal requirement - but three common models:

Family pays in full

Recommended - you signal that safety matters and ease the financial burden on the nanny. A clear gesture of appreciation. Cost: CHF 200-280 as a one-off investment.

50/50 split

Fair middle ground. Works especially well if the nanny can use the certificate for other families too - it has long-term value for her.

Nanny pays herself

For very experienced nannies who already hold the certificate - rare. In hiring negotiations it's a deal-breaker for the better candidates.

Practical tip: if your nanny takes the course during her working hours, you also keep paying her wage (it's working time, not free time). Usually the smarter option - the nanny doesn't lose her free Saturday.

How often does it need to be refreshed?

BLS-AED-SRC certificates are valid for 2 years. After that, a refresher is needed - typically 4 hours, CHF 80-150. Studies show that first-aid knowledge declines sharply without practice after 12 months - the 2-year refresh is the standard.

Set a reminder in your calendar: 18 months after the course, prompt the nanny to book a refresher. Otherwise it gets forgotten until the child chokes - by which time the certificate is 3 years old.

What should be in the employment contract?

If you make first aid a condition, put it in writing. Suggested wording:

"'The employee holds a valid BLS-AED-SRC certificate at the start of employment or will obtain one within 60 days. Costs are covered by the employer.'"

"'The refresher course is completed every 2 years during working hours. Costs and wages are covered by the employer.'"

"'An emergency plan (location of the first-aid kit, emergency contacts, children's allergy list) will be provided in writing at the start of employment.'"

Tips for the first weeks

Even with a first-aid course, the nanny needs family-specific information. These 4 things should be covered in the first few days:

Emergency contacts in writing

Parents (mobile + work), paediatrician, the nearest hospital (address + phone), poison helpline (145), emergency services (144). All on a single sheet in the kitchen cupboard - not just on a smartphone.

Walk through the first-aid kit together

Where are the plasters, antiseptic, bandages, fever suppositories, EpiPen if needed? What can the nanny administer on her own (plasters yes - medication no, unless explicitly agreed).

Children's allergy list

Which foods are off limits (peanuts, eggs, lactose)? What symptoms in a reaction? Where is the EpiPen? Note when the next allergy test is due.

Safety walkthrough of the home

Which drawers are child-proof? Where are cleaning products and medicines locked away? How does the stair gate work? Socket covers? Balcony door?

The Schmid family in Lucerne handles it like this: on the first working day, an hour of joint home walkthrough + emergency briefing. The nanny signs a short checklist. That removes worry for the family and gives the nanny clarity.

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Frequently asked questions

Is the driving-licence emergency course enough?

No. The emergency course for the driving licence (10 hrs, CHF 130-180) focuses on adult emergencies - not children. For a nanny you need 'Emergency Aid for Children' or 'BLS-AED + paediatric module'.

What about babysitter courses?

Classic 'babysitter courses' (often 8-12 hrs at SRK, ~CHF 80-120) are aimed at teenagers and cover first aid only superficially. For a full-time nanny that's not enough - she needs the full BLS-AED-SRC + paediatric module.

Can I deduct the course from tax?

Yes - either as professional expenses for the nanny (if she pays) or as a wage component on your side. Keep the receipts; the salary certificate should list the course as a benefit in kind.

What if my nanny is certified abroad?

International BLS certificates (e.g. American Heart Association BLS) are technically equivalent - but for Swiss emergencies make sure the Swiss emergency numbers (144, 145) and the local emergency structure have been covered. If in doubt: refresher in Switzerland.

What happens if a child gets hurt and the nanny had no course?

Criminally: a breach of duty of care could be alleged - rarely prosecuted, but possible. Civilly: if the nanny has private liability insurance, it may cover damages. You as the employer are liable for the choice and suitability of your nanny - hence: require the course.

Does Clino offer first-aid courses?

Not directly - we're an admin and payroll SaaS, not a training provider. But in our onboarding checklist we give clear recommendations: SRK 'Emergency Aid for Children' or Samaritans BLS-AED paediatric combo. We also flag the 60-day clause in our contract template.

Sources

Swiss Resuscitation Council (SRC) - BLS-AED standards: resuscitation.ch
Swiss Red Cross (SRK) - Emergency Aid for Children course offering: redcross.ch
Swiss Samaritans Association - First Aid for Children: samariter.ch
Sirmed - Swiss Institute for Emergency Medicine: sirmed.ch

Course content and prices as of 2026.