The Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority’s National Quality Standard (ACECQA) requires all approved providers to have policies and procedures in place in relation to sun protection and take reasonable steps to ensure those policies and procedures are followed. Early childhood education & care services and out of school hours care services have a duty of care to minimise children’s overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation and provide an environment that encourages sun protection behaviours.
SunSmart Services recognise that UV levels peak in the middle of the day and that as the UV Index rises, the associated risk of skin damage also increases. A SunSmart Service has a sun or UV protection policy and practices in place which aim to reduce overexposure to UV. Cancer Council recommends implementing a sun protection policy when the UV levels are 3 or above.
The SunSmart program assists childcare and early learning services to develop and maintain UV protection policies and put them into action. Joining the SunSmart program demonstrates a commitment to securing the future health and well-being of children and staff. The program is open to childcare, family day care schemes, OSHC and early learning services.
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