Sun care

Policy Statement

Cybertots Child Care Centre are to ensure all children are protected from skin damage caused by harmful ultra violet rays of the sun.

Considerations:

• Children will be required to wear a hat, which protects the face, neck and ears, whenever they are outside. Children will not share hats to minimize the spread of infections such as head lice, impetigo and ring worm.
• Children who do not have their hats will be asked to play in an area protected from the sun.
• Outdoor activities will be scheduled before 10am and after 2pm whenever possible during months from October through to March.
• SPF30+ broad-spectrum water resistant sunscreen will be provided for children, and applied 15 minutes before going outside. Sunscreen is to be used only as a supplement to clothing and hats; it is not to be used by itself. Parents written permission will be required if sunscreen is provided by the centre. Staff will ensure that sunscreen is not out of date.
• Staff will act as role models by:
  • wearing appropriate hats and clothing while outside using 30+ sunscreen
  • teaching children about skin and ways to protect it from skin cancer will be incorporated into the program.
• When enrolling their child, parents will be informed about the sun safety policy, asked to provide a suitable hat and SPF 30+ sunscreen for their child's use and encouraged to practice sun protective behaviours themselves.
• Staff will be trained on the proper application of sunscreen.

All rooms used within the Child Care Centre will be well ventilated to prevent: reduced concentration span; lack of energy, tiredness and lethargy; increased risk of infection and possible asthma attacks.

All windows and doors will be fitted with flyscreens, and buildings will be protected against flying insects (eg use environmentally friendly spray under eaves).

The Director and staff will ensure that lighting, heating and noise levels are comfortable and take into account specific activities (eg sleep time) and individual needs.

References

• Staying Healthy in Child Care by Human Services and Health, Australian Government Publishing Service, Canberra 1994
• Policy Development in Early Childhood Services by Sue Farmer, Community Child Care Co-operative Ltd 1995
• Health Handbook for Child Care Schemes by Children's Day Care Health team and Community Nursing Services, Health Department of WA
• Health and Safety in Child Care Schemes-Model Policy and Practices by University of NSW, Community Child Care Co-op and Lady Gowrie, Sydney 1994
• Children and the Sun; Everybody's Concern by OMEP Australia 1994.