This document provides information about common childhood illnesses for early years educators. It includes a list of common illnesses such as measles, mumps, chickenpox and meningitis. Activities are described to help educators learn the signs and symptoms of each illness, appropriate treatments, and exclusion periods. Educators are encouraged to understand illness policies and work with parents if a child becomes sick. The goal is for educators to properly identify, treat and prevent the spread of common childhood illnesses.

1. CACHE Level 3 Early Years Educator© Hodder & Stoughton Limited
CACHE LEVEL 3
EARLY YEARS EDUCATOR
Unit 1.5 Understand how to
support children who are unwell

2. CACHE Level 3 Early Years Educator© Hodder & Stoughton Limited
Learning outcomes
LO1. Know common childhood illnesses
• Identify common childhood illnesses
• Describe signs and symptoms of common childhood illnesses
• Explain treatments for common childhood illnesses
• Identify exclusion periods for common childhood illnesses

3. CACHE Level 3 Early Years Educator© Hodder & Stoughton Limited
Starter activity
LO1. Know common childhood illnesses [AC 1.1]
Time: 15 mins
List any illnesses you remember having as a child.
• How did you feel?
List any illnesses you have observed in children at placements.
• How did practitioners support, care for and meet the needs of
the children?

4. CACHE Level 3 Early Years Educator© Hodder & Stoughton Limited
LO1. Know common childhood illnesses [AC 1.1]
The following are the most common childhood illnesses:
• Chickenpox
• German measles (Rubella)
• Measles
• Meningitis
• Mumps
• Tonsillitis
• Whooping cough (pertussis)
• Slapped cheek syndrome (fifth disease)
• Gastroenteritis.
List Common childhood illnesses on the board

5. CACHE Level 3 Early Years Educator© Hodder & Stoughton Limited
Independent research activity
LO1. Know common childhood illnesses [AC 1.2]
Time: 15 mins
Research the signs and symptoms of common childhood
diseases in depth this is to be given out by your tutor.
• Explain how to recognise them and describe them in detail.
• Draw diagrams or collect pictures of the signs and symptoms.
• Note the resources you have used.

6. CACHE Level 3 Early Years Educator© Hodder & Stoughton Limited
LO1. Know common childhood illnesses [AC 1.2]
It is important for the practitioner to be aware of the signs and
symptoms of common childhood illnesses in order to recognise
infectious diseases as soon as possible and take steps to prevent
contagion. They also need to be able to support the child and meet
their needs.
• Measles – fever, runny nose and eyes, cough, white spots in mouth,
followed by full body rash.
• Mumps – often no symptoms are shown, when they are there will
be swollen glands between the ear and jaw and there may be pain
when swallowing.
• Rubella (German measles) – no serious symptoms other than:
slight cold, sore throat, swollen glands behind ears, slight pink rash.
Signs and symptoms of common childhood illnesses

7. CACHE Level 3 Early Years Educator© Hodder & Stoughton Limited
LO1. Know common childhood illnesses [AC 1.2]
• Chickenpox – fever, very itchy rash with blister-like appearance.
• Meningitis – flu like symptoms: fever, headache, drowsiness, very
stiff neck, maybe small red spots beneath the skin that do not
disappear when a glass is pressed against them.
• Tonsillitis – very sore throat, difficulty in swallowing, fever,
headache, aches and pains.
• Slapped cheek syndrome (fifth disease) – bright red rash on child’s
face.
• Pertussis (whooping cough) – snuffly cold, spasmodic cough with
whoop sound, vomiting.
Signs and symptoms of common childhood illnesses
(continued)

8. CACHE Level 3 Early Years Educator© Hodder & Stoughton Limited
Pairs activity
LO1. Know common childhood illnesses [AC 1.2]
Time: 15 mins
With a partner, share your research from the Independent
research activity.
• Prepare a presentation to the rest of the class to explain how
to recognise the signs and symptoms of common childhood
illnesses.
• You can use posters, leaflets or PowerPoint presentations to
support your presentation.
• You can present your research as a chart if you wish.

9. CACHE Level 3 Early Years Educator© Hodder & Stoughton Limited
LO1. Know common childhood illnesses [AC 1.3]
It is the role of the practitioner to try and prevent the spread of
infection, so it is vital that not only can they recognise the signs
and symptoms but also know the treatment needed.
• Measles – place child in a darkened room.
• Mumps – provide child with plenty of drink, but not fruit
juices.
• German measles (Rubella) – can cause deafness, blindness
and learning disability. Give child plenty to drink and keep
away from pregnant women.
Treatments for common childhood illnesses

10. CACHE Level 3 Early Years Educator© Hodder & Stoughton Limited
LO1. Know common childhood illnesses [AC 1.3]
• Chickenpox – keep child cool, provide with soft food.
• Meningitis – press a glass over the rash, if it does not fade
contact a doctor immediately.
• Tonsillitis – provide child with plenty of fluid and give soft
food.
• Slapped cheek syndrome (fifth disease) – no treatment
necessary.
• Pertussis (whooping cough) – refer child to a doctor
immediately, reassure and provide plenty of fluids.
Treatments for common childhood illnesses (cont’d)

11. CACHE Level 3 Early Years Educator© Hodder & Stoughton Limited
LO1. Know common childhood illnesses [AC 1.4]
• Chickenpox – four days from start of skin eruption.
• Measles – four days from the onset of the rash.
• Mumps – five days from onset of glandular swelling.
• Rubella – six days from the start of the rash.
• Meningitis – until the child has fully recovered.
• Pertussis (whooping cough) – 21 days from the start of the
illness.
Identify exclusion periods for common childhood illnesses

12. CACHE Level 3 Early Years Educator© Hodder & Stoughton Limited
Group activity
LO1. Know common childhood illnesses [AC 1.4]
Time: 15 mins
Choose two common childhood illnesses.
• Research the treatment for them in full.
• Design two posters to explain the treatment: one aimed at
practitioners and one for parents.
• It is important to remind practitioners that they should always
inform the parents of any illness and liaise with them over any
treatment.
• Practitioners should follow the policies and procedures of the
setting for dealing with children who are unwell.

13. CACHE Level 3 Early Years Educator© Hodder & Stoughton Limited
Extension activity
LO1. Know common childhood illnesses [AC 1.2, 1.3, 1.4]
Time: 15 mins
Design a leaflet to inform practitioners new to your setting how they
can recognise and treat childhood illnesses.
You will need to:
• explain the importance of the practitioner’s role
• refer to the policies and procedures of the setting
• emphasise the importance of liaising with parents
• describe signs and symptoms of the most common childhood
illnesses
• explain how to treat a child with one of these illnesses.
• Outline the exclusion periods for common childhood illnesses.

14. CACHE Level 3 Early Years Educator© Hodder & Stoughton Limited
Classroom discussion activity
LO1. Know common childhood illnesses [AC 1.2, 1.3]
Time: 15 mins
A parent contacts the setting to say that her child has been
feeling unwell, she took him to the doctor last night and he was
diagnosed with German measles (rubella). Her son was in the
setting yesterday and had been complaining about a sore throat.
• What should you do in this situation?

15. CACHE Level 3 Early Years Educator© Hodder & Stoughton Limited
Reflection activity
LO1. Know common childhood illnesses [AC 1.2, 1.3]
Time: 15 mins
Ask your setting for copies of their:
• Illness and injury policy
• Medication policy.
• (They may give them slightly different titles.)
Read through the policies.
Reflect on whether you need to alter any of the advice given in
the leaflet that you produced for new practitioners.

16. CACHE Level 3 Early Years Educator© Hodder & Stoughton Limited
Learning outcomes
LO1. Know common childhood illnesses
• Identify common childhood illnesses
• Describe signs and symptoms of common childhood illnesses
• Explain treatments for common childhood illnesses
• Identify exclusion periods for common childhood illnesses

17. CACHE Level 3 Early Years Educator© Hodder & Stoughton Limited
Summary: plenary activities
1. Note down any common symptoms of childhood illnesses, for example,
a high temperature.
2. Which illnesses show few symptoms?
3. Note down the more serious illnesses.