Sample SunSmart policy & procedures for early childhood When used in its entirety, this document ensures your service is following current evidence-based Cancer Council sun protection guidelines and recommendations. Any changes or adjustments may mean it no longer meets SunSmart guidelines. Please ensure sun protection is used during the daily sun protection times or whenever UV levels are 3 or higher. If you can’t check the daily sun protection times, please use sun protection from mid- August to the end of April (when Victoria’s UV levels are typically three and above). Please do not only use sun protection during Terms 1 and 4 as this will not be sufficient at protecting children and staff from UV. <SERVICE NAME>’s SunSmart / sun protection policy & procedures Applies to all service events on and off-site. Policy statement Our service recognises the value of outdoor play and learning in a sun safe way. We are committed to ensuring all children, educators and staff are protected from ultraviolet (UV) radiation for all outdoor activities. This includes:  Providing shade in the outdoor environment  Ensuring all sun protection measures are promoted and utilised  Encouraging and supporting children to develop independent sun protection skills  Providing learning opportunities for children, staff and families Background The sun’s UV can’t be seen or felt. Whatever the weather, it’s important for people of all skin types to use sun protection whenever UV levels are three or higher. Too much of the sun’s UV can cause sunburn, skin and eye damage and skin cancer. Australia has one of the highest rates of skin cancer in the world, with two in three Australians developing some form of skin cancer before age 70. Infants and toddlers up to four years of age are particularly vulnerable to UV damage due to lower levels of melanin and a thinner stratum corneum (the outermost layer of skin). UV damage accumulated during childhood and adolescence is strongly associated with an increased risk of skin cancer later in life. By teaching sensible sun protection habits from an early age and implementing sun protection measures, early childhood services can play a significant role in reducing skin cancer risk. Legislative requirements  Occupational Health and Safety Act (2004)  Children's Services Act 1996  Children's Services Regulations 2009  Child Wellbeing and Safety Act 2005 (Vic) (Part 2: Principles for children)  Education and Care Services National Law Act 2010: Section 167: Protection from harm and hazards  Education and Care Services National Regulations 2011 Part 4.2: Children’s health and safety Reg 100 Risk assessment must be conducted before excursions Reg 101 Conduct of risk assessment for excursion Part 4.3: Physical environment Reg 113 Outdoor space: natural environment Reg 114 Outdoor space: shade Reg 116 Assessments of family day care residences and approved family day service care venues Part 4.7: Leadership and management Reg 168 (2)(a)(ii) Policies and procedures: Sun protection Reg 169 Additional policies and procedures – family day care services Reg 170 Policies and procedures to be followed Reg 171 Policies and procedures to be kept available Reg 172 Notification of change to policies or procedures Key terms Term Meaning Ultraviolet (UV) radiation Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is a type of energy produced by the sun and some artificial sources, such as arc welders and solariums. The sun’s UV is the main cause of skin cancer. Too much UV exposure also causes sunburn, tanning, premature ageing and eye damage. You can see the sun’s light. You can feel the sun’s heat. But you can’t see or feel the sun’s UV radiation. UV can reach you directly from the sun. It can also be reflected off different surfaces and scattered by particles in the air. Your senses cannot detect UV radiation, so you won’t notice it is all around you and you won’t notice any skin damage until it has been done The World Health Organization's Global Solar UV Index measures UV levels on a scale from 0 (Low) to 11+ (Extreme). Sun protection is recommended when UV levels are 3 (Moderate) or higher. The UV level is affected by a number of factors including the time of day, time of year, cloud cover, altitude, location and surrounding surfaces. https://www.who.int/news-room/q-a-detail/radiation-the-ultraviolet-(uv)-index The sun protection times are a forecast from the Bureau of Meteorology showing when UV levels will be 3 a