• Introduction
• Aim
• Definition of terms
• Assessment
• Management
  
• Ongoing management
• Special considerations
• Companion documents
• Links
  
• Evidence Table
• References

Introduction

Nursing Services has identified a subset of patients who may benefit from access to a supervised, enclosed play space within a ward setting. The play space is only to be used for a select patient population who would benefit from individualised floor time and developmental play sessions in a safe environment. 
The enclosed play space allows these children to practice some of the play and social skills they may not have had the opportunity to in an alternate space to their cot or bed with staff observation.

Aim

Access to a supervised, enclosed play space within the ward environment, will assist in maximising the social and emotional development of children requiring playtime support in a consistent way.  

Definition of terms

• Play Space: A Royal Children’s Hospital approved structure with four sides designed for a small child to play inside of safely, under the direct supervision of nursing staff, volunteers or Child Life Therapists.

Assessment

• Patients under the age of 3 years or older where deemed developmentally appropriate and space will accommodate 
  
• Patients who require individualised floor time and developmental play sessions. 
  
• Medically stable patients
  

Management

• When the child is in the play space they must always be in the line of sight of nursing staff, volunteer or Child Life Therapist. 
  
• Must be used in Pod open spaces on wards, not within patient rooms.
  
• Portable oxygen and suction must be easily accessible for use if required
  
• Play structure will meet Australian Product safety standards 
  
• The enclosed play structure will be positioned on a non-slip mat as per OH&S recommendations.
  
• The play structure will be fully accessible from multiple points.
  
• Staff / volunteers will be educated on safe handling practices.
  
• The play space should be a safe space for play without medical interventions or nursing cares including nappy changes. 
  
• Consideration should be given to time spent in the play space and reflect the child’s interest in play. 
  

Ongoing management

• Regular review of child’s care and suitability for play sessions in the enclosed play space.
  

Special considerations

Infection prevention and control

• Play space (including sides and floor mats) must undergo routine cleaning between patients, as per Support Services : Policies and Procedures : Environmental Cleaning
  
• Toys that are not staying with the child must be cleaned as per Policies and Procedures : Toys, play and educational equipment - Cleaning of
  
• Standard precautions should be used at all times when working with patients. Those patients being cared for under any Transmission Based Precautions (Airborne, Droplet, or Contact) should not be in group sessions.
  

Manual handling

• Ambulant patients to enter and exit play space independently via gate.
• Non-ambulatory patients to be taken into and out of the play space via gate.

Companion documents

• Child Life Therapy
• Infection Control
• Policies and Procedures : Toys, play and educational equipment - Cleaning of

• Policies and Procedures : Environmental Cleaning

Links

• UNICEF: Convention on the Rights of the Child
• Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC) - Product Safety

Evidence Table

Click here to view the evidence table.

References

UN Charter for Rights of the Child (UNCRC)
Child Life Therapy
Product Safety Australia, Australian Competition & Consumer Commission
Royal Children’s Hospital : Policies and Procedures : Toys, play and educational equipment – Cleaning of
Royal Children’s Hospital : Policies and Procedures : Environmental Cleaning 

Please remember to read the disclaimer.

The development of this nursing guideline was coordinated by Anne-Maree Leahy, Child Life Therapist, CCLS,Child Life Therapy & Music Therapy, and approved by the Nursing Clinical Effectiveness Committee. Updated July 2020.