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SUN PROTECTION POLICY

To provide a sun safe environment for all children and educators, we will ensure that:

• educators and staff understand the potential risks of ultraviolet (UV) radiation exposure for children

and adults and that they promote and model the appropriate sun safe behaviours to children, families

and their colleagues.

• educators support children to develop positive, lifelong attitudes towards skin protection, and

foster lifestyle practices which can reduce sun damage and the potential incidence of skin cancer.

According to Cancer Council Australia, exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation in childhood is a major risk factor for

developing skin cancer later in life. By implementing best practice Sun Protection Policy and practices, we can help

protect adults and children from UV radiation and teach children good sun protection habits from an early age.

SUN SAFE CLOTHING

According to Cancer Council Australia, sun safe clothing is made from closely woven fabric and covers as much of the skin

as possible - especially the shoulders, back and stomach (with darker coloured materials providing slightly more

protection). For example, loose fitting shirts and dresses with sleeves (at least elbow length) and collars or covered

neckline and longer style skirts, shorts and trousers.

Midriff, crop or singlet tops are not sun safe clothing because they do not provide adequate coverage to protect from

the sun.

SUN SAFE HAT Cancer Council Australia recommends a sun safe hat that protects the whole face, head, back of neck and ears, and is

made of a close weave fabric that does not allow light to get through. The styles illustrated below are considered to be

sun safe. Note: Baseball caps, sun visors and beanies do not provide the necessary sun protection.

SUNSCREEN Any references to sunscreen means a broad- spectrum water-resistant sunscreen with a SPF (sun protection factor) of

at least 30+, that is within its use by or best before date.

Some children may have an allergy or intolerance to particular sunscreens and a medical management plan risk

minimisation and communication plan will be required

SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING INFANTS

SunSmart practices consider the special requirements of infants. All babies under 12 months are kept out of direct sun when UV levels are 3 or higher. Physical protection such as shade, clothing and broad-brimmed hats are the best sun protection measures. If babies are kept out of the sun or well protected from UV radiation by clothing, hats and shade, then sunscreen need only be used occasionally on very small areas of a baby’s skin. The widespread use of sunscreen on babies under 6 months old is not recommended.

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SUN PROTECTION MEASURES A combination of sun protection measures will be used whenever the UV radiation levels reach 3 and above. To ensure children and adults have some safe sun exposure for the necessary absorption of vitamin D, when the UV radiation levels are below 3, sun protection is generally not required, unless outdoors for an extended period of time.

*State Variations: Please refer to your state for variations in implementation procedures

Australian Capital Territory

This policy is implemented from the beginning of August through to the end of May,

(this is when daily UV levels reach 3 and above in Canberra for part of or most of the

day) and are strong enough to damage unprotected skin.

Outdoor activities and events are minimised between 11am and 3pm as much as practicably

possible during the daylight saving/summer period of the year.

Cancer Council ACT states that due to Canberra’s low UV levels (under 3) during June and July sun

protection is generally not recommended. This is to reduce the risk of Vitamin D deficiency in the

ACT region.

New South Wales

October to March: Minimise outdoor activity times between 11am – 3pm (daylight saving time).

Sun protection practices are required at all times.

April to September: Outdoor activity times can be planned at any time of the day. Sun Protection

practices are required between 10am and 2pm except in June and July when the UV index is

mostly below 3.

Queensland

Adherence to this policy is required all year round, as the UV index is commonly at or above 3 all year

round. Multiple sun protection measures are required whenever the UV index level is forecast to

reach 3 or above. As the UV level is often above 3 outside of peak UV periods (10am-3pm), the UV

level must be checked daily to ascertain when sun protection is required outside of peak UV periods.

South Australia

This Policy is implemented from 1 August to 30 April and whenever the Ultraviolet Radiation

(UVR) level is 3 and above, at other times.

Victoria

Sun protection measures are used whenever UV levels reach three and above. This is typically

from mid-August to the end of April in Victoria. Please check the daily local sun protection times

to be sure you are using sun protection when it is required. Active outdoor play is encouraged

throughout the day all year, provided appropriate sun protection measures are used when

necessary.

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Western Australia

This Policy is implemented all year round.

When the local UV index is 3 and above, sun protection measures are used for all outdoor

activities. Active outdoor play is encouraged all year.

LINKS TO THE NATIONAL LAW AND REGULATIONS Section 165 - Offence to in adequately supervise children

Section 167 - Offence relating to protection children from harm and hazards

Regulation 100 – Risk assessment must be conducted before excursion

Regulation 113 – Outdoor space – natural environment

Regulation 114 - Outdoor space – shade

Regulation 168 – Policies and procedures (2)(a)(ii) – sun protection

LINKS TO THE NATIONAL QUALITY STANDARD

Standard/

Elements

Concept Descriptor

1.2 Practice Educators facilitate and extend each child’s learning and development

1.2.1 Intentional Teaching Educators are deliberate, purposeful, and thoughtful in their decisions and actions

2.1 Health Each child’s health and physical activity is supported and promoted

2.1.2

Health practices and procedures

Effective illness and injury management and hygiene practices are promoted and implemented

2.2 Safety Each child is protected

2.2.1 Supervision At all times, reasonable precautions and adequate supervision ensure children are protected from harm and hazard

3.1 Design The design of the facilities is appropriate for the operation of a service

3.1.1 Fit for purpose Outdoor and indoor spaces, buildings, fixtures and fittings are suitable for their purpose, including supporting the access of every child

3.2 Use The service environment is inclusive, promotes competence and supports the exploration and play based learning

3.2.1 Inclusive environments

Outdoor and indoor spaces are organized and adapted to support every child’s participation and to engage every child in quality experiences in both built and natural environments

5.2 Relationships between children

Each child is supported to build and maintain sensitive and responsive relationships

5.2.1 Collaborative learning

Children are supported to collaborate, learn from and help each other

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6.1 Supportive relationships with families

Respectful relationships with families are developed and maintained and families are supported in their parenting role

6.1.1 Engagement with the service

Families are supported from enrolment to be involved in the service and contribute to service decisions

7.1 Governance Governance supports the operation of a quality Guardian Centre

7.1.2 Management Systems

Systems are in place to manage risk and enable the effective management and operation of a quality service

7.1.3 Roles and Responsibilities

Roles and responsibilities are clearly defined, and understood, and support effective decision-making and operation of the centre

REFERENCES Education and Care Services National Law Act 2010 Education and Care Services National Regulations 2018 Guide to the National Quality Framework 2018 Cancer Council Australia SunSmart programs

SunSmart Early Childhood Program – ACT SunSmart Early Childhood Program – SA SunSmart Early Childhood Program – NSW SunSmart Early Childhood Program – VIC SunSmart Early Childhood Program – QLD

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SUN PROTECTION PROCEDURE

Who? How?

APPROVED PROVIDER (GUARDIAN EARLY LEARNING GROUP) WILL:

• Provide a comprehensive induction to Nominated Supervisors (NS) that includes an

explanation of the Sun Protection Policy and procedures. As part of the induction process, the

NS must successfully complete the three online educator professional learning modules at

Generation SunSmart. Records of the NS’s induction will be documented by their manager.

• Provide an SPF30+ broad spectrum water-resistant sunscreen for use by children, educators,

staff and families at the centre.

• Ensure children’s outdoor spaces have adequate shade, with a combination of natural shade,

and built shade with a UV protection factor ratio of 15 or more (blocking at least 94% of UV

radiation). When replacing shade, a shade audit will be undertaken to maximise and

effectively use shade products, using Cancer Council’s online shade audit tool, available at

https://www.sunsmart.com.au/shade-audit/.

• Ensure the Sun Protection Policy is reviewed by Cancer Council Australia for accuracy and

currency at least every two or three years.

NOMINATED SUPERVISORS WILL:

In the absence of NS, the person in day to day charge WILL:

• As part of the induction process, the NS will supervise educators’ successful completion of the

three online educator professional learning modules at Generation SunSmart.

• Monitor educator and staff practice and behaviour by providing additional and ongoing coaching

and support where required.

• Role model sun-safe behaviour by wearing a sun safe hat, sunglasses, sun safe clothing and

seeking shade when in the outdoor environment at the centre, and by applying sunscreen before

going outside.

• Ensure sun protection strategies are included in any excursion risk assessment.

• Use a combination of sun protection measures whenever the UV radiation levels reach 3 and

above.

• Have an effective system to communicate to educators about children’s allergies and

preferences of sunscreen.

• Display completed template of children with allergies/preference to sunscreen must be on

display near sunscreen stations as well as on their personal sunscreen bottles.

• Encourage children who choose to wear sunglasses. Where necessary, advise the families of

these children that a close-fitting wrap around pair, that meets the Australian Standards,

(AS1067) will offer best protection.

When working with families:

• Inform families of this policy on enrolment, explaining that every child must have a sun-safe

hat to wear and whether the Centre provides these.

• Check on enrolment that each child has signed authorisation for educators to apply

sunscreen to their child. Where authorisation is denied, due to an allergy or intolerance,

ensure a medical management plan (including a risk minimisation and communication plan)

is developed in partnership with the family and (where necessary) in consultation with a

registered medical practitioner.

• Ensure families are regularly reminded to apply sunscreen to their child on arrival at the

Centre (or at home if they will be dropping off their children at times when they are likely to

be engaged directly in outdoor play).

• Encourage families to role model sun-safe behaviours with their children outside the Centre.

• Try and discourage families bringing their own sunscreen based on preference of brand or

product, as this will result in multiple unnecessary sunscreens that could potential result in a

child using the incorrect one.

• Remind families of the Sun Protection Policy and its requirements when they are invited to

attend events at the Centre.

• Ensure safety data sheets for sunscreen products are current and kept on file.

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EDUCATORS AND STAFF WILL:

• Successfully complete the three online educator professional learning modules at Generation SunSmart as part of their induction process.

• Check the daily sun protection times using the SunSmart app or Bureau of Meteorology website at least once a day and display it in the Centre.

• Role model sun- safe behaviour by wearing a sun-safe hat, sunglasses, sun-safe clothing and seeking shade when in the outdoor environment at the centre, and by applying sunscreen before going outside.

• Consistently encourage children to wear a sun-safe hat and sun-safe clothing when in the outdoor environment at the centre, and to apply sunscreen 20 mins before going outside (following the advice of the daily sun protection times). Where children are not able to apply their own sunscreen, educators should apply it for them. See procedure: Sunscreen application. Sunscreen should be reapplied every two hours, or more frequently if it is likely to have been washed or wiped off. Children without adequate clothing, hats or sunscreen will be required to play in the shade.

• Ensure that children under 12 months of age are not purposely exposed to the sun when UV levels are 3 and above. When outdoors, these children should be dressed in sun-safe clothing, wearing a sun-safe hat and encouraged to play in shaded areas. For children older than 6 months, sunscreen may be applied to exposed areas of skin if direct UV exposure is unavoidable.

• Encourage children to use available areas of shade for outdoor play.

• Encourage those children who do choose to wear sunglasses, and where necessary, advise the families of those children that a close-fitting wrap around pair, that meets the Australian Standards, (AS1067) will offer best protection.

• Consider sun protection when planning any excursion, detailing risk controls in the excursion risk assessment.

• Embed sun protection into the educational program through daily practice and regular discussions about skin cancer, vitamin D and sun-safe behaviours.

• Create enough sunscreen stations across the centre for children to access independently. Ensure the sunscreen station has a full-length mirror for children to be successful in applying the cream to their whole bodies.

• Know children who have allergies or preferred sunscreen and ensure that the correct sunscreen is applied.

• Consider the availability of shady areas when planning all outdoor experiences and avoid peak UV times of the day whenever possible. In areas where there is a lack of natural or artificial shade, consider using a portable shade structure.

• Encourage families to role model sun-safe behaviours with their children outside the Centre.

• Involve children in checking the daily sun protection times whenever possible to support their understanding of when and why sun protection is needed.

FAMILY AND COMMUNITY WILL:

• Dress children in sun-safe clothing and provide a sun-safe hat for their child to wear if the

Centre does not provide them.

• Apply sunscreen to their child on arrival at the Centre, or in the morning before leaving home.

• Wear a sun-safe hat and clothing when outdoors at the Centre and apply sunscreen. Shade

should be sought as much as possible.

• Give permission for educators/staff to apply SPF 30 or higher broad spectrum, water resistant

sunscreen supplied by the centre or that has been supplied by family due to an allergy or

intolerance to all exposed parts of my child’s skin

• Agree that this sunscreen will be kept at the centre and it is their responsibility to make sure

there is always an adequate supply available.

• Agree it is unnecessary to supply their own sunscreen, unless child has an allergy or

intolerance to centre supplied sunscreen.

• Encourage the practice of Sun Smart behaviours themselves when at the centre.