SUN PROTECTION POLICY
We aim for policy and practice to reflect real life.
At Green Umbrella, learning is viewed as a continuous process and all children from five to thirteen years are at differing stages of development, ability and understanding. Our staff grow deep and meaningful relationships with all children. This and their knowledge of each child underpin their approach when addressing this important policy area.
We encourage and educate:
Australia has the highest incidence of skin cancer in the world. There are four factors that contribute to this:
Where possible, outdoor activities will be scheduled between peak UV times. Peak UV times are 10am-2pm between April and September, and 11am-3pm between October and March.
Educators monitor UV levels and modify daily activities as necessary.
Sun protection times are a forecast for the time of day UV levels will reach 3 or above. At these levels, sun protection is recommended for all skin types and the policy areas should be implemented. In NSW, UV levels are high enough (UV 3 or above) to damage unprotected skin most months of the year. UV levels are particularly high during the summer months, and highest in the middle of the day. UV levels and daily sun protection times can be accessed via the SunSmart App or Cancer Council Australia’s home page to determine sun protection requirements.
3.1 Scheduling (QA1, QA2)
Planning of daily activities will use correct understanding of local UV levels and daily sun protection times.
Risk management and assessment for all outdoor activities, including excursions, will include sun protection and ensure appropriate practices are planned, organised, understood and available.
3.2. Seek shade (QA3)
At Green Umbrella premises there is sufficient built, portable and natural shelter, including many trees providing shade in the outdoor areas. The availability of shade is considered when planning all outdoor activities and these activities or play spaces will be moved as time passes to take advantage of shade patterns.
Children are encouraged to choose and use available areas of shade when outside.
Children who do not have appropriate hats or outdoor clothing are asked to choose a shady play space or a suitable area protected from the sun.
Ongoing review is undertaken in relation to existing shade provision and increasing natural shade possibilities.
3.3 Slap on a hat (QA2)
All children are required to wear sun smart hats that protect their face, neck and ears (legionnaire, broad-brimmed or bucket style). These include:
Broad-brimmed hats with a brim size of at least 6cm (adults 7.5cm).
Bucket hats with a deep crown and brim size of at least 5cm (adults 6cm).
Legionnaire style hats.
Peak caps and visors are not considered a suitable alternative.
A strategy to encourage this is ‘no hat/play indoors’.
Spare hats are kept for children to wear if families forget to send a hat. When worn, these hats will be washed at the end of the day by parents and returned promptly.
All staff will wear hats that protect the face, neck, ears and crown of the head for outdoor activities.
3.4 Slip on sun-protective clothing (QA2)
Children are encouraged to wear loose-fitting clothing that covers as much skin as possible. Clothing made from cool, densely woven fabric is recommended. Families are asked to choose tops with sleeves, higher necklines (or collars) and knee-length or longer style shorts and skirts for their child. If a child is wearing a singlet top or shoestring dress, they will be asked to choose a t-shirt/shirt to wear over this before going outdoors.
Staff will wear clothing that gives protection from the sun and model sun protection-conscious behaviour.
Through ongoing education families are encouraged to model appropriate sun protective measures.
3.5 Slop on sunscreen (QA2)
SPF30 (or higher) broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen is supplied by Green Umbrella and/or families.
Sunscreen is applied by all staff and students in accordance with the manufacturer’s directions (which state to apply at least 20 minutes before going outdoors and reapply every two hours, or more frequently if sweating or swimming). Cancer Council recommends the use of SPF50 or SPF50+ sunscreen for maximum protection.
To help develop independent skills all children are given opportunities to apply their own sunscreen under supervision of staff, and are encouraged to do so. Permission to apply sunscreen is included in the service enrolment form.
Where children have allergies or sensitivity to the sunscreen, parents are asked to provide an alternative sunscreen, or the child encouraged to play in the shade.
Families ensure sunscreen is applied prior to attending vacation care.
Sunscreen is stored in a cool place, out of the sun and the expiry date is monitored.
3.6 Role modelling of staff, families and visitors (QA1, QA5)
Staff, families and visitors consider sun safety at all times, and when outside they promote the use of shade and discuss proactive sun protection measures with children in a positive way.
When outdoors, staff, families and visitors wear a SunSmart hat, protective clothing, and sunglasses (optional), and apply broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen of SPF30 or higher.
3.7 Learning and skills (QA1, QA4, QA5)
Sun protection is incorporated into the ongoing learning programs at Green Umbrella. Staff, families and visitors encourage children to notice, assess and adapt to outdoor conditions and protect themselves from UV over-exposure.
The SunSmart policy is reinforced by educators and through children's activities and displays.
Children and staff at Green Umbrella will at every opportunity role model good sun-safe practices to the whole school community.
3.8 Engaging children, educators, staff and families
Educators, staff and families are provided with information about sun protection policy through the enrolment form permissions relating to sunhats and sunscreen, via Green Umbrella newsletters, the Family Handbook, noticeboards and the website.
3.9 Sunglasses (optional) (QA2)
Staff and children are encouraged to wear close-fitting wrap-around sunglasses that cover as much of the eye area as possible and comply with Australian Standard AS1067 (Sunglasses: Category 2, 3 or 4).
4.1 Supporting Documents
4.2 Regulatory Legislation and Considerations
Date Approved: 15 March 2021
Date reviewed: March 2024
Date reviewed: November 2024
Date for Review: November 2027