Students Visit Rotherham Hospital for Exclusive Insight into Childcare Roles

Rotherham College’s Year 2 Early Years and Education T Level students recently had the incredible opportunity to visit Rotherham Hospital’s Children’s Ward and Neonatal Unit, offering them an inspiring glimpse into specialist childcare roles within the NHS.

This visit marked a unique milestone as the first-ever group of college students allowed access to the Neonatal Unit.

Thanks to Suzanne Rutter, Community Engagement Officer for the NHS, students were guided through the children’s ward, where they learned about the vital role of play specialists in supporting young patients.

The group then explored the Neonatal Unit, gaining insight into the responsibilities of nursery nurses caring for premature and newborn babies.

The visit was a huge success, sparking student interest in alternative childcare careers within the NHS. Tutor, Shelley Walker, shared her gratitude for Suzanne’s support and received the following heartfelt response:

“Your wonderful students have truly made my day – it’s amazing to think we might have inspired some of them to become the next generation of NHS heroes!

They were such a friendly, enthusiastic group, and it’s fantastic that we’ve also encouraged them to get involved in fundraising for the Rotherham Hospital and Community Charity too.”

This partnership has opened doors for future collaborations, with plans to connect Suzanne with colleagues in health and social care. Additionally, students have been invited to participate in fundraising activities, including hosting events at the hospital and supporting “Wear It Blue Day” in July to celebrate the NHS’s birthday.

Thank you to Suzanne and the team at Rotherham Hospital for providing such an enriching experience for our students. This visit not only highlighted exciting career paths in childcare but also inspired the next generation of NHS professionals!

Find out more about our Early Years and Education courses here