Sun Protection
Sunsmart Accredited Centre:
We are a sunsmart accredited centre that adheres to and follows all Cancer Council guidelines, this ensures we are only outside in between the appropriate recommended times and all children and staff are to wear sunsmart clothing including hats and sleeved shirts, we apply sunscreen before all outdoor play.
We are a sunsmart accredited centre that adheres to and follows all Cancer Council guidelines, this ensures we are only outside in between the appropriate recommended times and all children and staff are to wear sunsmart clothing including hats and sleeved shirts, we apply sunscreen before all outdoor play.
Sun Protection Policy
RATIONALE:
Australia has the highest rate of skin cancer in the world. Research has indicated that young children and babies have sensitive skin that places them at particular risk of sunburn and skin damage. Exposure during the first 15 years of life can greatly increase the risk of developing skin cancer in later life. Early Childhood Services play a major role in minimising a child’s UV exposure as children attend during times when UV radiation levels are highest.
AIM:
Blooming Kids’s sun protection policy has been developed to protect all children and staff from the harmful effects of ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun.
OUR SUN PROTECTION STRATEGIES ARE:
OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
The centre will use a combination of sun protection measures whenever UV Index levels reach 3 and above. This will include:
All sun protection measures (including recommended outdoor times, hat, clothing and sunscreen) will be considered when planning excursions and incursions.
HATS
Staff and children are required to wear sun safe hats that protect their face, neck and ears. A sun safe hat is:
Please note: Baseball caps or visors do not provide enough sun protection and therefore are not recommended.
Children without a sun safe hat will be asked to play in an area protected from the sun (e.g. under shade, veranda or indoors) or can be provided with a spare hat.
CLOTHING
When outdoors, educators, staff and children will wear sun safe clothing that covers as much of the skin (especially the shoulders, back and stomach) as possible. This includes wearing:
Please note: Midriff, crop or singlet tops do not provide enough sun protection and therefore are not recommended.
SUNSCREEN
All staff and children will apply SPF30+ broad-spectrum water-resistant sunscreen 20 minutes before going outdoors and reapply every 2 hours. Sunscreen is stored in a cool, dry place and the use-by-date monitored.
BABIES
Babies under 12 months will not be exposed to direct sunlight and are to remain in dense shade when outside. They will wear sun safe hats and clothing and small amounts of SPF30+ broad-spectrum water-resistant sunscreen may be applied to their exposed skin.
ROLE MODELLING
Staff will act as role models and demonstrate sun safe behaviour by:
Families and visitors are encouraged to role model positive sun safe behaviour.
EDUCATION AND INFORMATION
Sun protection will be incorporated regularly into learning programs. Sun protection information will be promoted to staff, families and visitors.
In the Preschool room a UV monitor will be appointed each day amongst the children. This role of responsibility sees a child finding out and recording the UV rating for the day; this is displayed in the Preschool room.
Further information is available from the Cancer Council website www.cancercouncil.com.au/sunsmart.
POLICY AVAILABLE
The sun protection policy, updates and requirements (including hat, clothing and sunscreen) will be made available to staff, families and visitors.
REVIEW
Management and staff will monitor and review the effectiveness of the sun protection policy regularly. The centre’s sun protection policy must be submitted every two years to the Cancer Council for review to ensure continued best practice. Refer to the Cancer Council’s guidelines and website www.cancercouncil.com.au/sunsmart for further information.
This centre agrees to enforce the above sun protection policy in line with the SunSmart Early Childhood Program recommendations and to inform the Cancer Council NSW of any changes to the centre’s policy and practices.
USE OF SAMPLE SUN PROTECTION CURRENT POLICY FROM THE CANCER COUNCIL
SUN SMART PROGRAM
- AGREED UPON BY ALL STAFF AUGUST 2019
RATIONALE:
Australia has the highest rate of skin cancer in the world. Research has indicated that young children and babies have sensitive skin that places them at particular risk of sunburn and skin damage. Exposure during the first 15 years of life can greatly increase the risk of developing skin cancer in later life. Early Childhood Services play a major role in minimising a child’s UV exposure as children attend during times when UV radiation levels are highest.
AIM:
Blooming Kids’s sun protection policy has been developed to protect all children and staff from the harmful effects of ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun.
OUR SUN PROTECTION STRATEGIES ARE:
OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
The centre will use a combination of sun protection measures whenever UV Index levels reach 3 and above. This will include:
- From October to March sun protection is required at all times. Extra sun protection is needed between 11am and 3pm and during this period outdoor activities should be minimised. Minimising outdoor activities includes reducing both the number of times (frequency) and the length of time (duration) children are outside.
- From April to September (excluding June and July) outdoor activity can take place at any time. However, from 10am – 2pm sun protection is required.
- In June and July when the UV index is mostly below 3, sun protection is not required. Extra care is needed for services in the far west and north of NSW and for all children who have very fair skin.
All sun protection measures (including recommended outdoor times, hat, clothing and sunscreen) will be considered when planning excursions and incursions.
HATS
Staff and children are required to wear sun safe hats that protect their face, neck and ears. A sun safe hat is:
- Legionnaire hat
- Bucket hat with a deep crown and brim size of at least 5cm (adults 6cm)
- Broad brimmed hat with a brim size of at least 6cm (adults 7.5cm).
Please note: Baseball caps or visors do not provide enough sun protection and therefore are not recommended.
Children without a sun safe hat will be asked to play in an area protected from the sun (e.g. under shade, veranda or indoors) or can be provided with a spare hat.
CLOTHING
When outdoors, educators, staff and children will wear sun safe clothing that covers as much of the skin (especially the shoulders, back and stomach) as possible. This includes wearing:
- Loose-fitting shirts and dresses with sleeves and collars or covered neckline
- Longer-style skirts, shorts and trousers.
Please note: Midriff, crop or singlet tops do not provide enough sun protection and therefore are not recommended.
SUNSCREEN
All staff and children will apply SPF30+ broad-spectrum water-resistant sunscreen 20 minutes before going outdoors and reapply every 2 hours. Sunscreen is stored in a cool, dry place and the use-by-date monitored.
BABIES
Babies under 12 months will not be exposed to direct sunlight and are to remain in dense shade when outside. They will wear sun safe hats and clothing and small amounts of SPF30+ broad-spectrum water-resistant sunscreen may be applied to their exposed skin.
ROLE MODELLING
Staff will act as role models and demonstrate sun safe behaviour by:
- Wearing a sun safe hat (see Hats)
- Wearing sun safe clothing (see Clothing)
- Applying SPF30+ broad-spectrum water-resistant sunscreen 20 minutes before going outdoors
- Using and promoting shade
- Wearing sunglasses that meet the Australian Standard1067 (optional)
Families and visitors are encouraged to role model positive sun safe behaviour.
EDUCATION AND INFORMATION
Sun protection will be incorporated regularly into learning programs. Sun protection information will be promoted to staff, families and visitors.
In the Preschool room a UV monitor will be appointed each day amongst the children. This role of responsibility sees a child finding out and recording the UV rating for the day; this is displayed in the Preschool room.
Further information is available from the Cancer Council website www.cancercouncil.com.au/sunsmart.
POLICY AVAILABLE
The sun protection policy, updates and requirements (including hat, clothing and sunscreen) will be made available to staff, families and visitors.
REVIEW
Management and staff will monitor and review the effectiveness of the sun protection policy regularly. The centre’s sun protection policy must be submitted every two years to the Cancer Council for review to ensure continued best practice. Refer to the Cancer Council’s guidelines and website www.cancercouncil.com.au/sunsmart for further information.
This centre agrees to enforce the above sun protection policy in line with the SunSmart Early Childhood Program recommendations and to inform the Cancer Council NSW of any changes to the centre’s policy and practices.
USE OF SAMPLE SUN PROTECTION CURRENT POLICY FROM THE CANCER COUNCIL
SUN SMART PROGRAM
- AGREED UPON BY ALL STAFF AUGUST 2019