Overview
Who helps us when we need it most?
This fun and interactive EYFS workshop introduces children to the emergency services and helps them understand how firefighters, police officers, paramedics and coastguards help people in different situations.
Through role play, dressing up and practical activities, children discover when to call 999, who to ask for in different emergencies and how the emergency services work together to keep us safe.
The session also introduces simple, age appropriate fire safety messages, helping children develop confidence and awareness in an engaging and reassuring way.
Workshop Activities
People Who Help Us
Children begin by talking about the people who help them every day, such as parents, carers and teachers, before discovering the special jobs carried out by the emergency services.
Calling 999
Using interactive role play, children practise calling 999 and deciding which emergency service is needed.
Through a series of simple scenarios, they discover how different emergencies need different types of help while building confidence in recognising when to ask for assistance.
Meet the Emergency Services
Children meet each of the four emergency services through dressing up and role play.
They discover:
- How firefighters help people during fires, floods and road traffic collisions.
- How police officers help keep people safe.
- How paramedics care for injured or ill people.
- How HM Coastguard rescues people in difficulty around the coast and at sea.
Staying Safe
The workshop concludes with simple fire safety messages designed for young learners.
Children discover:
- The importance of smoke alarms.
- What to do if they discover a fire.
- The simple message: Get Out, Stay Out, Call 999 and Stop, Drop and Roll.
Reflection
Children finish the session by sharing what they have learned about the emergency services and discussing how these important people help keep our communities safe every day.
Discover With Us
Children take part in a guided Discover With Us session led by our team dressed as a firefighter.
During this interactive experience, children learn what it is like to be a firefighter today and discover the important role firefighters play in keeping our communities safe.
Using the museum’s historic fire engines and collections, children will:
- Talk about firefighters and explore their protective clothing and equipment.
- Discover how firefighters respond to emergencies and help people in many different situations.
- Learn that firefighters do much more than put out fires, including rescuing people and animals, responding to floods and helping at road traffic collisions.
- Explore historic fire engines and compare it with the fire engines used today.
- Find out how firefighters work as part of a team alongside the Police, Ambulance Service and HM Coastguard.
- Ask questions about what it is like to be a firefighter and the skills needed to do the job.
Children then continue exploring the museum independently, discovering more emergency service vehicles, uniforms and equipment while reinforcing what they have learned throughout the day.
Example Timetable Information
Why Choose This Workshop?
Designed especially for younger learners, this engaging workshop introduces children to the people who help keep us safe every day. Through imaginative role play, dressing up and practical activities, children build confidence in recognising emergencies and understanding how the Fire and Rescue Service, Police, Ambulance Service and HM Coastguard work together to help people.
The experience is enhanced through a Discover With Us session led by a costumed firefighter, giving children the opportunity to meet one of the people who helps keep our communities safe while exploring the museum’s historic fire engines and equipment. Combining practical learning, role play and authentic museum collections, this workshop provides an exciting introduction to the emergency services and the important work they do.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the session, children will be able to:
- Recognise the four emergency services.
- Understand how different emergency services help people.
- Know when to call 999.
- Match different emergencies to the correct emergency service.
- Develop confidence in talking about personal safety.
- Understand simple fire safety messages.
EYFS Links
This workshop supports learning across the Early Years Foundation Stage, including:
Understanding the World
- People, Culture and Communities.
- Past and Present.
- The Natural World.
Personal, Social and Emotional Development
- Building confidence.
- Keeping safe.
- Understanding the roles of people within the community.
Communication and Language
- Listening and attention.
- Understanding.
- Speaking.
Practical Information
Suitable for: EYFS
Workshop duration: 45 minutes
Museum visit: Full learning day, 10:00am to 2:00pm
Group size: Up to 35 children per group
Daily capacity: Up to three groups (approximately 105 children) can be accommodated each day, with groups rotating through the day’s activities.
Accessibility: We are committed to making our learning programme accessible to all learners. Please let us know about any access requirements when booking so we can adapt the session wherever possible.
Cost
This workshop is priced at £200 per class of up to 35 students, with every additional class on the same day priced at £150.
Working in partnership with South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue, This workshop has been discounted.
