The document discusses how early years practitioners can support children who need planned hospital admissions by preparing them through activities like role play, books, and discussion; it also explains the therapeutic benefits of play for children in hospitals by allowing them to express emotions and feel a sense of normalcy which can aid their recovery. Practitioners are encouraged to work with parents and use age-appropriate methods like books and dolls to help children understand and feel more comfortable about their hospital stay.

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
Starter activity
LO6. Understand how to support children for planned hospital
admission [AC 6.1]
Time: 15 mins
Have you ever been to hospital, either as a child or an adult?
• How did you feel?
• What were your concerns?
• What did you want to know – what information did you need?
• What would have reassured you?
If you have never been to hospital, think about someone who
has, or a visit to your GP or dentist that you have been worried
about.

3. CACHE Level 3 Early Years Educator© Hodder & Stoughton Limited
Learning outcomes
LO6. Understand how to support children for planned hospital admission
• Describe how the early years practitioner supports a child to prepare
for a stay in hospital
LO7. Understand the therapeutic role of play in hospitals
• Describe the therapeutic role of play in hospital in supporting children’s
recovery

4. CACHE Level 3 Early Years Educator© Hodder & Stoughton Limited
LO6. Understand how to support children for planned hospital
admission [AC 6.1]
• A child who is to be admitted to hospital is likely to be anxious,
however if they are well prepared this should alleviate all their
concerns.
• There are many things that a practitioner can do to prepare a child
for their hospital stay.
• It is important in all cases that the practitioner liaises with the
parents and that they work together to support and prepare the
child.
• The practitioner should discuss with the parents the child’s
condition and what the hospital visit may involve. This will inform
the practitioner who can then plan appropriate activities.
How the early years practitioner supports a child to prepare for
a stay in hospital – Think Pair share your ideas

5. CACHE Level 3 Early Years Educator© Hodder & Stoughton Limited
LO6. Understand how to support children for planned hospital
admission [AC 6.1]
There are many activities that a practitioner can adapt to support children in
preparing for hospital.
• Arrange the role play area as a hospital so that all children can be
involved.
• Discuss the different roles that they can play – the different professionals
in a hospital.
• Provide opportunities for discussion, for example, circle time.
• Read relevant books.
• Use dolls or puppets to discuss issues (children are often able to verbalise
their worries through a doll when they cannot talk about themselves).
• Answer children’s questions honestly and sensitively, do not hide anything
from them. http://www.nhs.uk/video/Pages/Childreninhospital.aspx
Activities the practitioner can provide to prepare a child for a
hospital stay

6. CACHE Level 3 Early Years Educator© Hodder & Stoughton Limited
Pairs activity
LO6. Understand how to support children for planned hospital
admission [AC 6.1]
Time: 15 mins
Plan an activity designed to support a child in preparing for a
hospital stay.
• Discuss the possible activities and decide what sort of activity
you would like to plan.
• You will need to decide what age child you are aiming your
activity at.
• You may find it helpful to write a little synopsis (a case study)
of the child to explain why you have chosen this particular
activity.
• Use the activity planning sheet provided.

7. CACHE Level 3 Early Years Educator© Hodder & Stoughton Limited
Group activity
LO6. Understand how to support children for planned hospital
admission [AC 6.1]
Time: 15 mins
Discuss the activities planned during the Pairs activity.
• Discuss the types of activities which are most suitable to
prepare children for a hospital stay.
• Consider how routine activities can be adapted.
• What might be the effects of inappropriate activities?
• Discuss the importance of the practitioner’s role in preparing
a child for a stay in hospital – what should they be doing?

8. CACHE Level 3 Early Years Educator© Hodder & Stoughton Limited
LO7. Understand the therapeutic role of play in hospitals [AC
7.1]
• Practice in caring for children in hospitals has changed
dramatically in the last 50 years.
• Hospitals have now recognised the importance of attachment
and that the child is likely to be less distressed if they have
their parents staying in hospital with them.
• Similarly hospitals have also acknowledged the therapeutic
value of play in aiding children’s recovery.
The importance of play

9. CACHE Level 3 Early Years Educator© Hodder & Stoughton Limited
LO7. Understand the therapeutic role of play in hospitals [AC
7.1]
Play is important to children’s development and it is equally
important to children who are ill. Play can:
• allow children to express their feelings and give the child
some sense of control
• help children to explore their feelings and come to terms with
their hospital experience
• give the child a sense of normality, that they are doing
something that they are familiar with.
The importance of play (cont’d)

10. CACHE Level 3 Early Years Educator© Hodder & Stoughton Limited
Independent research activity
LO7. Understand the therapeutic role of play in hospitals [AC
7.1]
Time: 15 mins
Research the role of play and the play specialist in meeting the
individual needs of children and supporting the recovery of
those in hospital.
• Make notes on the importance of play for all children.
• Consider how play can meet the needs of children who are ill.
• How can play be therapeutic to those who are in hospital?
• Make notes on the role of the play specialist.
Which theorists are relevant that you could refer to?
https://www.huggies.com.au/about-us/charities/childrens-
hospitals/play-therapist

11. CACHE Level 3 Early Years Educator© Hodder & Stoughton Limited
LO7. Understand the therapeutic role of play in hospitals [AC
7.1]
Importance of play in aiding recovery
Evaluate the
importance of
play in meeting
the individual
needs of children
who are ill.
Distraction or an escape
from the
pain/operation/reality of
condition or even
procedure.
Children need to continue to learn
through play as this will help them in the
transition back to school/nursery- it can
help them continue in their path of
development.
Play with familiar medical equipment
helps to mentally prepare children for
their procedures.
Provides them with a sense of normality e.g. play as
part of their regular routine. It enables them to
explore, take reasonable risks in active play - letting
them do something that gives them a sense of
freedom.
Helps them cope with what is
happening- play allows them to express
emotion, it is therapeutic . It aides
recovery.
The child might feel very distressed
about the restrictions their illness
places on the type of play they used
to.

12. CACHE Level 3 Early Years Educator© Hodder & Stoughton Limited
Classroom discussion activity
LO7. Understand the therapeutic role of play in hospitals [AC
7.1]
Time: 15 mins
Discuss each of the ‘bubbles’ on the previous slide.
• Try to think of an example to illustrate each one.
• Refer to practical experience where possible.

13. CACHE Level 3 Early Years Educator© Hodder & Stoughton Limited
Extension activity
LO7. Understand the therapeutic role of play in hospitals [AC
7.1]
Time: 15 mins
Using your research notes, write an explanation of the role of
the play specialist.
• What might life in hospital have been like before play
specialists?
• How do you think children felt before their parents were
allowed to stay in hospital with them?
• How can play meet the needs of children who are ill?
• Which theorists can you refer to and why?

14. CACHE Level 3 Early Years Educator© Hodder & Stoughton Limited
Learning outcomes
LO6. Understand how to support children for planned hospital admission
• Describe how the early years practitioner supports a child to prepare
for a stay in hospital
LO7. Understand the therapeutic role of play in hospitals
• Describe the therapeutic role of play in hospital in supporting children’s
recovery

15. CACHE Level 3 Early Years Educator© Hodder & Stoughton Limited
Reflection activity
LO6. Understand how to support children for planned hospital
admission [AC 6.1]
Time: 15 mins
Research children’s books aimed at preparing children for a
hospital stay and the use of Persona dolls in supporting their
recovery.
• Choose a book and consider how you would use it.
• Ask if there are any Persona dolls at your setting – consider
how you would use them.

16. CACHE Level 3 Early Years Educator© Hodder & Stoughton Limited
Summary: plenary activities
1. Design a booklet for a child to prepare them for hospital.
2. Identify the age of the child.
3. Your booklet should have information and activities in it.
4. It should inform and reassure the child.