Sun protection policy
Your early learning service should have a sun protection policy and practices to keep tamariki | children safe and comfortable when they are outside. You should share this policy with parents and whānau | families.
Your sun protection policy should include:
- shade
- clothing
- sun hats
- sunscreen.
SunSmart information and training
The Cancer Society has information and resources on how to be SunSmart. They also have guidance on choosing a brand of sunscreen, and training for teachers.
Use of sunscreen for children
Sunscreen is not a medicine, so it does not need to be authorised or acknowledged in the same way that medicines do. Parents do not need to sign for sunscreen every day.
You should let parents know what SPF and brand of sunscreen you provide.
Parents may wish to provide their own sunscreen. This should be noted and reviewed every SunSmart period. Sunscreen provided by parents should be named and all staff should be informed of children who have their own sunscreen.
When to use sunscreen
Some services provide sunscreen during the warmer months of the year. This is Term 1 and Term 4 of the school year. Some early learning services may use sunscreen for longer.
How to apply sunscreen
When applying sunscreen to children, you should minimise the possibility of spreading infection.
Children can be encouraged to apply their own sunscreen under adult supervision. This is a good life skill for children and may support staff with the application.
Include sunscreen in your policy
You should outline your daily sunscreen routine in your sun protection policy. This should include how your service communicates with staff about when sunscreen is applied and reapplied. This could be a list or a daily chart.
