3 years ago the local playgroup leader organised a first aid course. Herself and her staff as well as a few local childminders and myself completed the one day course and paid £35. We were given a certificate at the end of the day.

At my last inspection (September 2013) the social worker checked the certificate and said it was fine.

Certificate is due to run out this month. So same playgroup leader is running same course and once again charging £35. I recently heard from another minder who was recently inspected that this certificate wasnt valid as it wasnt a paediatric course.

So I asked if this course would be the right one and was told it was basic first aid level 2. Not wanting to waste a saturday or £35 on this course I called social services this morning and was told 'we're not experts in first aid but it needs to say paediatric somewhere on certificate'.

I'm not doing course now I have this information but others are going to do it regardless.

Just wondered if anyone else in Northern Ireland has had similar problems. And also if a minder has incorrect certificate would this not make insurance invalid? Feeling very confused