Sun Smart

Purpose

To provide clear guidelines to ensure children, educators, students/volunteers and others participating in FIRST IDEA FAMILY DAY CARE SERVICES, are protected from over-exposure to UV radiation.

Scope

These guidelines will apply to the Approved provider, nominated supervisor, educational leader, supervisors, educators, staff, students on placement, volunteers, parents/guardian, children and others attending the service.

Policy

At FIRST IDEA FAMILY DAY CARE SERVICES, recognise the importance of sun protection and sun exposure, and we ensure all of our educators are aware of and implement sun protection strategies as determined by the Cancer Council Victoria. This policy and its procedures will also work to inform parents, visitors and students of sun smart practices, recommendations and expectations.

Approved providers and delegates are responsible for:

Educators and assistants are responsible for:

• Providing shade outdoors as practicable (i.e., trees, shade cloth, umbrella)
• Ensuring the availability of shade is considered when planning all outdoor activities.
• Encouraging children to choose and use available areas of shade when outside. If children do not have appropriate hats or outdoor clothing, they are asked to play in a shady space or a suitable area protected from the sun. Ensuring all children wear a SunSmart hat when outside which protects their face, neck and ears (Legionnaire, broad-brimmed or bucket style). Checking adequate supply of sunscreen in their home, stored in a cool place, out of the sun.
• Accessing the daily local sun protection times via the SunSmart widget on the service’s website, the free SunSmart app or at sunsmart.com.au. The sun protection times are a forecast the Bureau of Meteorology for the time of day UV levels are forecast to reach 3 or higher. At these levels, sun protection is recommended for all skin types. In Victoria, UV levels regularly reach 3 or higher from mid-August to the end of April. Ensuring children are wearing loose-fitting clothing that covers as much skin as possible.
• Applying sunscreen to children in accordance with their signed authorisations
• Ensuring all children apply SPF30 (or higher) broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen at least 20 minutes before going outdoors and reapply every two hours.
• Assisting the development of independence skills ready for school, by allowing children from the age of three years to apply their own sunscreen under the supervision of staff
• Role modelling Sun smart procedures (applying sunscreen, wearing appropriate hat and clothing and seeking shade)
• Supervising children at all times in sun, ensuring they remain covered, protected and hydrated
• Regularly checking expiry dates of sunscreen every 6month
• Storing children hats separately – not sharing children’s hats
• Seeking information and planning learning and development activities that are appropriate to children 3 Policies & Procedures that assist in their understanding of sun protection (i.e. UV, consequences of sun exposure, benefits of sun protection)

The SunSmart policy is reinforced by educators and through children’s activities and displays providing families with information about the service’s SunSmart policy when enrolling their child.

Families are required to:

• Ensuring documentation/authorisations are completed in relation to sunscreen application and sensitivities
• Providing labelled sunscreen (if required) to remain at the educator’s home
• Providing a legionnaire or wide-brimmed hat for their child while attending the education and care service

REVIEW