NQS

National Regulations

Purpose

Our Service will work in compliance with the National SunSmart Program to ensure children’s health and safety is maintained at all times whilst at the Service.

Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation in childhood is a major risk factor for the development of skin cancer later in life. Childcare services can contribute to reducing the lifetime risk of skin cancer for children by teaching good sun protection habits from an early age and implementing best-practice sun protection measures. To ensure the outdoor environment provides shade for children, educators and staff to minimise unsafe UV exposure. Additionally, this policy provides guidance on how to protect children and staff from severe hot weather events which are becoming more prevalent in Australia.

THE APPROVED PROVIDER/ NOMINATED SUPERVISOR AND EDUCATORS WILL:

• ensure obligations under the Education and Care National Law and Regulations are met

• ensure risk assessments are conducted to identify any potential hazards to children during summer months that could cause harm or injury to children. Risk minimisation control measures will be put in place to protect children. Potential hazards could include:

  • hot equipment- slides, poles, guardrails, any metal surfaces

  • hot surfaces- rubber and synthetic grass, walkways, concrete surfaces

  • sun burn and dehydration

  • access to bodies of water (filled water troughs/containers/trays/pools)

  • severe heat

  • bushfires and air pollution

• complete a

• Playground Surface Temperature Check during summer months or extreme hot weather

• use their hand to test surface temperature and make an informed decision about permitting children to play on equipment or in the outdoor space. If the surface temperature is determined to be too hot or is recorded as at or above 50°C it is recommended by Kidsafe Australia that children do NOT play on the surface

• ensure children wear shoes when playing in the outdoor area- [children may remove shoes when playing in sand or mud pit]

•      monitor the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) for severe weather warnings and implement procedures to ensure the health and safety of all children and staff

•      monitor bush fire activity and be aware of air quality and hazardous levels of air pollution caused by bushfires

•      ensure children have access to water at all times throughout the day and offer extra feeds/drinks to babies during hot weather to avoid dehydration

•      be aware of the signs and symptoms of heat-related illness in babies and young children and implement first aid as required

•      keep children indoors during severe heat events

•      ensure fans/air conditioning are used to help keep children cool

•      close blinds/curtains where required to prevent sun shining into rooms

•      ensure sunscreen purchased for the Service complies with Australian Standard AS/NZS 2604:2012.

Strategies

Monitoring UV Levels

Sun protection is required when UV levels reach level 3 or above. Our Service will monitor the UV levels through one or more of the following methods:

• Using the smartphone SunSmart app available at iTunes App Store and Google Play store.  This is adhered to by the opening shift responsibilities, and daily UV rate prediction is located within the foyer for families and staff to see on arrival.

• Viewing the Cancer Council UV Index table available on their home page at https://www.cancer.org.au/

• Using the Cancer Council widget on the Service website available at https://www.cancer.org.au/

• Viewing the Bureau of meteorology UV Index tab available on their home page at http://www.bom.gov.au/uv/

Outdoor Activities

In NSW sun protection is always required, unless specified by the SunSMart application on extremely low UV days. On days where UV is High (summer months and surrounding) additional sun protection is needed and during this period outdoor activities should be minimised.

Minimising outdoor activities includes reducing both the number of times (frequency) and the length of time (duration) children are outside. This should be taken into consideration and wherever practical outdoor activities should take place when UV levels are at the lowest.

Shade

All outdoor activities will be planned to occur in shaded areas. Play activities will be set up in the shade and moved throughout the day to take advantage of shade patterns. The service will provide and maintain adequate shade for outdoor play. Shade options can include a combination of portable, natural and built shade. Regular risk assessments should be conducted to monitor existing shade structures and assist in planning for additional shade. Shade provision is considered when planning to upgrade play environments.

Shaded areas will be chosen for educators to set up play experiences and regular assessments and reviews will be made of the outdoor area to assist in planning for further shade requirements.

Children will still be required to wear hats, protective clothing, and sunscreen if playing under natural or portable shade.

Hats                                                         

Staff and children are required to wear sun safe hats that protect their face, neck and ears. A sun safe hat is:

• Legionnaire hat

• Bucket hat with a deep crown and brim size of at least 5cm (adults 6cm)

• Broad brimmed hat with a brim size of at least 6cm (adults 7.5cm)

Please note: Baseball caps or visors do not provide enough sun protection and therefore are not recommended. Children without a sun safe hat will be asked to play in an area protected from the sun (e.g. under shade, veranda or indoors).

Clothing 

• When outdoors, staff and children will wear sun safe clothing that covers as much of the skin as possible. Cancer Council Australia recommends clothing that:

  • covers the shoulders, back and stomach

  • is loose fitting, such as loose-fitting shirts and dresses with sleeves and collars or covered neckline, or longer style skirts, shorts and trousers.

• Children who are not wearing sun safe clothing can be provided with spare clothing or will be required to play under shade or in an area protected from the sun or provided with spare clothing. Please note: Midriff, crop or singlet tops do not provide enough sun protection and therefore are not recommended. 

Sunscreen 

• All staff and children will apply SPF50+ broad-spectrum water-resistant sunscreen 20 minutes before going outdoors and reapply every 2 hours, or more frequently if required. Sunscreen is provided by Cancer Council.

• To help develop independent skills children are encouraged to assist in the process of applying their own sunscreen, with the supervision and assistance of Educators.

• Sunscreen is stored in a cool, dry place, inaccessible to children, and the use-by-date monitored.

• Permission obtained to apply sunscreen is included in the service enrolment form.

• Where children have allergies or sensitivity to the sunscreen, children will be provided with sensitive SPF50+ broad-spectrum water-resistant sunscreen. Alternatively, parents will be asked to provide an alternative sunscreen.

• Sunscreen is stored in a supervised, cool place, out of the sun.

• Sunscreen expiration date is monitored.

Babies 

Babies under 12 months will not be exposed to direct sunlight and are to remain in dense shade when outside/or on veranda. When UV is above 3 babies will not be exposed to direct sun. They will wear sun safe hats and clothing and seek shade positioning. Sunscreen is not recommended on babies under 6 months.

Role Modelling 

Staff will act as role models and demonstrate sun safe behaviour by: Wearing a sun safe hat (see Hats). Wearing sun safe clothing (see Clothing). Applying SPF50+ broad-spectrum water-resistant sunscreen 20 minutes before going outdoors. Using and promoting shade. Wearing sunglasses that meet the Australian Standard1067 (optional). Families and visitors are encouraged to role model positive sun safe behaviour.

Equipment on Hot Days

Australia has a hot climate and inevitably playground equipment and surfacing can heat up rapidly and retain heat. Many playground surfaces and equipment can exceed temperatures greater than 50°C and if young children come into contact with these surfaces, they can be burned severely within seconds. Surfaces can retain heat for long periods of time and cause burns to children. Play surfaces must be monitored before children have access to the outdoor environment.

Educators will:

• Use common sense and not enter outdoor environment on days with extreme heat.

• Use the “touch test” method to check all play surfaces themselves to ensure they are safe for outdoor play. Educators are to touch and hold for 5 seconds, if they cannot hold their hand on the surface for this period of time the equipment is too hot for children.

• Keep rechecking temperatures as the day progresses.

  
  

Education

Sun protection will be incorporated regularly into learning programs. Baulkham Hills Early Learning Centre  will create an area in the entrance of the service where children are able to put sunscreen on themselves or for the parents to assist them, on arrival. Sunscreen will always be available to children.

Information

Sun protection information will be promoted to staff, families and visitors. Posters will be placed in the environment for families and children to see.

Policy

The sun protection policy, updates and requirements will be made available to staff, families and visitors.

Review

Management and staff will monitor and review the effectiveness of the sun protection policy regularly.

Definitions, Terms & Abbreviations

Related Statutory Obligations & Considerations

• Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA)

• Children (Education and Care Services) National Law (NSW) No 104a

• Department of Education

• Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF)

• Education and Care Services National Regulations 2011

• National Quality Framework (NQF)

• Cancer Council

• World Health Organisation

Related Telephone Numbers

• Early Childhood Directorate – 1800-619-113

• NSW Health – (02) 9391-9000

• Cancer Council – 13-11-20

Amendment History

This policy will be updated to ensure compliance with all relevant legal requirements every year. Appropriate consultation of all stakeholders (including staff and families) will be conducted on a timely basis. In accordance with Regulation 172 of the Education and Care Services National Regulation, families of children enrolled will be notified at least 14 days and their input considered prior to any amendment of policies and procedures that have any impact on their children or family.

Date:

19.03.2025

Version:

4

Last amended by:

Laura Clarke

Next Review:

19.03.2026

Position:

Nominated Supervisor

This policy has been approved by Cancer Council