Children's Programs

Child Life specialists help meet the developmental, educational and psychosocial needs of children in UCSF Children's Hospital. They plan and provide activities to minimize stress and promote a "normal" child's life while in the hospital. Teachers help children in kindergarten to 12th grade to keep up with their studies. If you would like, we can contact your child's school to facilitate your child's return to the classroom after discharge.

Our staff and volunteers provide a variety of programs including:

All Stars Room -- This room, funded by the Ronnie Lott All Stars Foundation, provides young patients with supervised Internet access and a chance to communicate with children at other hospitals. Computers and Internet access also are available for parents. The All Stars Courtyard offers families and children a quiet outdoor retreat. Both the room and courtyard are located on the sixth floor.

Playroom -- The playroom on the sixth floor is typically open Monday to Saturday. Please see the schedule posted in your child's room or on the playroom door for hours and activities. Brothers and sisters are welcome in the playroom but must first have a nurse check their temperature and give them a clearance sticker prior to entering. Siblings of children in isolation due to a communicable disease are not allowed in the playroom.

Quiet Time -- Children who are ill often require longer periods of rest. Parents are encouraged to maintain a home nap routine in the hospital. Please advise us of your child's routine so we can coordinate care. Posting a sign stating "child is napping" on your child's door is often helpful.

School Program -- The School Program on the seventh floor of the hospital offers educational support to hospital patients from kindergarten to 12th grade. The school program has both academic and computer-based activities. For children who can't leave their beds, individual classroom time with a teacher and volunteers is available.

Teen Room -- Patients 10 years and older are welcome in the teen room on the seventh floor where music, Nintendo, computer, art activities and games are available and where teens can socialize.

Read more about our lounges and resources for families

If you have any questions, please contact the Child Life Department:

Child Life Department
UCSF Children's Hospital
505 Parnassus Ave., Room L-171, Box 0210
San Francisco, CA 94143

For information about becoming involved in our Child Life services as a volunteer, please contact Volunteer Services at (415) 353-1196.