Emergency Situations Overview

Overview

This 60-minute session explores a variety of emergency situations relevant to early years settings. It deepens students’ understanding of the importance of preparedness and appropriate responses, aligning closely with England’s National Curriculum and statutory guidance for Early Years education.

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National Curriculum Links

• Subject Area: Health and Social Care / Child Development / Personal Wellbeing
• Relevant Programmes of Study:
  • Relationships and Health Education (DfE, 2021) – Recognising risks and responsibilities in safeguarding children’s welfare.
  • National Occupational Standards for Early Years Workforce – Competency in managing emergencies and maintaining safe environments.
  • Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Framework – Ensuring safe and secure environments for children’s learning and development.

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Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:

1. Identify at least five common types of emergency situations that may arise in early years settings (fire, medical emergency, severe weather, missing child, and safeguarding concerns).
2. Explain why being prepared for emergencies is essential in safeguarding children’s health and wellbeing.
3. Analyse roles and responsibilities of early years practitioners during emergency situations.
4. Demonstrate understanding of immediate actions to take in different emergencies through scenario-based discussion.

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Resources Needed

• Scenario cards illustrating emergency types
• Flip chart or whiteboard with markers
• Projector to present key images or videos of emergency drills (optional)
• Copies of the statutory guidance summary on emergency procedures in early years settings
• Reflection sheets for individual responses

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Timetable

Time	Activity	Details & Notes
0-10 mins	Starter Activity & Lesson Introduction	Icebreaker: “What would you do?” brainstorm prompt. Students list any emergencies they know. Learning objectives shared clearly.
10-25 mins	Identification & Categorisation	Present 5 emergency types with brief explanation. Use images or videos to illustrate real cases in early years settings. Students match scenario cards to each type.
25-40 mins	Group Discussion: Importance of Preparedness	Groups discuss why preparedness matters, linking to child safeguarding. Prompt with National Curriculum points on health & safety.
40-50 mins	Scenario Role-Play Activity	Each small group given a scenario card. They role-play responses, focusing on communication and appropriate immediate actions.
50-60 mins	Reflection & Plenary	Groups report key learning from role-plays. Individual reflection sheets completed: “What surprised me about emergency responses?” and “How will this affect my future practice?” Teacher summarizes key points and significance of emergency readiness.

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Detailed Activity Breakdown

Starter Activity & Lesson Introduction (10 mins)

• Objective: Activate prior knowledge and set lesson expectations.
• Students brainstorm and share types of emergencies they imagine in early years settings.
• Teacher aligns responses with National Curriculum expectations on health and safeguarding education.

Identification & Categorisation (15 mins)

• Introduce five priority emergency types that early years staff must be ready for, referencing EYFS and safeguarding guidance:
  1. Fire or fire alarm activation
  2. Medical emergencies (e.g., allergic reaction, choking)
  3. Severe weather or environmental hazard
  4. Missing child or child protection concerns
  5. Intruder or security breach
• Use high-impact visual aids or short clips portraying these scenarios.
• Students work in pairs or solo to match scenario cards to these emergency types, to enhance conceptual clarity.

Group Discussion: Importance of Preparedness (15 mins)

• Groups explore and list reasons why preparedness underpins safe learning environments. Incorporate curriculum references, such as:
  • Duty of care and safeguarding requirements
  • Minimising risk to children’s physical and emotional wellbeing
  • Legal compliance and organisational responsibilities
• Facilitate use of correct terminology and link to statutory framework (Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, EYFS 2021).
• Encourage quoting key extracts from statutory guidance or national standards.

Scenario Role Play (10 mins)

• Students simulate immediate response to a given scenario, practising communication, quick decision-making, and calmness.
• Each group focuses on one emergency type and roles such as practitioner, child, and visitor.
• Post role-play, groups highlight key steps they took and justification linking to curriculum knowledge.

Reflection & Plenary (10 mins)

• Groups share insights and challenges faced during role-play.
• Students complete a targeted reflection sheet, fostering metacognition and personal connection to emergency readiness.
• Teacher reinforces the overarching message: Preparedness is a continuous process, crucial for safe and inspiring early years settings.

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Assessment & Differentiation

• Formative Assessment:

  • Informal questioning during activities.
  • Observation of role-plays for understanding of correct procedures.
  • Student reflections to assess depth of comprehension.

• Differentiation Strategies:

  • For varied learning needs, provide visual prompts and simplified summary cards.
  • Challenge higher ability students with linked statutory legislation analysis.
  • Support less confident students through guided scenarios and peer collaboration.

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Extension & Enrichment Ideas

• Arrange for a visit from a local fire safety officer or first aid trainer to give hands-on experience (within local health and safety protocols).
• Create a student-led project designing an “Emergency Preparedness Plan” poster for an early years setting.
• Use digital storytelling tools to develop scenario-based interactive narratives.

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Teacher Notes

• Ensure sensitive handling of scenarios, given emotional weight around child safety.
• Reinforce confidentiality and respectful discussion.
• Keep atmosphere supportive to encourage confidence in handling real-life emergency challenges.
• This lesson builds foundational knowledge transferable to further studies in childcare, health and social care, and teaching.

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This lesson plan integrates statutory elements of the National Curriculum for England, focusing on safeguarding and health education in early years settings, tailored for Year 12 students preparing for further study or employment in these sectors.