Ronald McDonald Playroom

The playroom is open to outpatients, day patients and siblings if they:

• are over 30 months old (2.5yrs) OR
• are under 30 months (not yet 2.5yrs) and are accompanied in the playroom by a caregiver over the age of 18 at all times AND
• the family are here for an appointment with a hospital staff member OR are a volunteer as part of the Family Leadership Program.

• There is a 2-hour time limit for children/youth when using the playroom space.
• Caregivers must remain on hospital property while their child/youth is in the playroom.
• Caregivers are required to sign children/youth in at each visit.  Families are recommended to come 10 minutes early for their first visit to complete this process.
• Children/youth must be in good health while using the playroom.  This means free of any flu-like symptoms (cough, running nose). Staff are required to turn away children/youth who are presenting with symptoms.
• Caregivers must notify playroom staff of their child’s emergency medical conditions (e.g. allergies, asthma, seizures) and leave emergency medication (e.g. EpiPen or inhaler) for their child in the playroom with staff.  
• The playroom staff are unable to provide 1-on-1 support for any child/youth in the room, and caregivers will be asked to return if that level of support is deemed necessary by the playroom staff.
• When leaving the playroom, caregivers will be given a playroom cell phone and must keep it where they can see and hear it, at all times. They will only be contacted if they are urgently needed and are required to return to the playroom immediately if the phone goes off.
• Because the playroom is not equipped with washrooms, caregivers are responsible for their child’s toileting needs.
• For safety reasons eating or drinking is not permitted while in the playroom.
• Children/youth cannot leave the playroom for any reason, unless accompanied by a caregiver.
• For children under 30 months of age, accompanying caregivers are responsible for all supervision and support.
• Children who require suctioning must have a caregiver in the room. Playroom staff are unable to provide respiratory support.
• Due to the drop-in nature of our service, the maximum capacity of the room will change, as determined by staff and based on the combined needs of the children in the room.
• If the playroom reaches maximum capacity, caregivers wanting to access the room will be put on a waitlist and contacted when space becomes available.