I would like to draw attention to an important new law that will have an impact on all sports and leisure centres offering childcare services.

From 1 September 2016, all newly qualified early years staff (with a level 2 or 3 childcare qualification) must hold a full paediatric first aid certificate or an emergency paediatric first aid certificate.

This move to improve paediatric first aid in early years settings is designed to reassure parents that their children will be well cared for, particularly in an emergency. It follows a long campaign by Joanne and Dan Thompson, parents of nine-month old Millie, who tragically died after choking on her lunch at nursery.

‘Millie’s Law’ is an opportunity for all sports and leisure providers to review, and where necessary, update their paediatric first aid training to ensure that staff providing early years services in their facilities are trained in first aid. If there’s one thing our experience in delivering paediatric first aid training has taught us, it’s this: equipping frontline staff with vital lifesaving skills gives them the knowledge and confidence to respond to accidents and incidents by being able to provide first aid and CPR and, ultimately to save lives.

This new law also gives leisure sites that already deliver RLSS UK qualifications the opportunity to provide paediatric first aid training for early years providers in their communities.

I’m a parent of a young child and when I visit my local leisure centre, I want to know that my daughter is being looked after by staff with the skills to respond to accidents and emergencies. Millie Thompson’s legacy will ensure they will.