Reminder: Sun Safety

It is important to ensure that your early childhood service or school has SunSmart approaches to protect children’s health and wellbeing.

SunSmart sets out a list of practices designed to protect children from the harmful effects of Ultra-violet (UV) radiation. There are requirements for all education and care services and schools to ensure that children have sun protection, which should be included in your Sun Protection Policy.

The SunSmart program assists early childhood services and schools to develop and maintain UV protection policies and put them into action.

SunSmart criteria includes:

• A UV protection policy implemented whenever the UV Index reaches 3 or above
• All children and staff wear a broad brimmed or bucket hat when outside
• The use of SPF 30 or higher broad-spectrum water-resistant sunscreen is required
• Play experiences about UV protection are included in the education program
• Outdoor experiences are rescheduled, whenever possible, to minimise time outdoors when the UV Index is 8 and above
• The service has sufficient shade or is working towards increasing shade in the outdoor play space
• The service reviews its UV protection policy regularly (at least once every two years).

Further information can be found on the SunSmart website.