Be SunSmart in 2024 with the SunSmart Education and Care Service Program

Freya Lucas

Dec 29, 2023

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Early childhood education and care (ECEC) services have been invited to join the SunSmart program in 2024 and support the creation of a safe and healthy environment for children and staff.

ECEC services are uniquely placed to educate about sun protection behaviour, minimise ultraviolet (UV) radiation exposure and ultimately reduce a child’s lifetime risk of skin cancer.

ACECQA’s National Quality Standard (NQS) requires all education and care services to have sun protection policies and procedures in place, and the SunSmart program can assist in providing resources and support to help services to meet their duty of care to minimise over exposure of children to the sun and provide an environment that encourages sun protection behaviours.

The SunSmart program assists long day care, family day care, outside school hours care and early learning services to develop and maintain sun protection policies and put them into action.

SunSmart Services criteria:

a sun protection policy is implemented whenever the UV Index reaches 3 and above.
the sun protection policy is reflected in the planning of all outdoor events.
the service reviews its sun protection policy regularly (at least once every 3 years).
all children and staff wear a broad brimmed, legionnaire or bucket hat when outside.
the use of SPF 50 or higher broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen is required.
sun protective clothing is required.
play experiences about sun protection are included in the education program.
the service has sufficient shade or is working towards increasing shade in the outdoor play space.
SunSmart membership will be reassessed every three years to confirm sun protection practices.

Visit GenerationSunSmart.com.au/sunsmart-registration/services/ to join the SunSmart program

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