SunSmart Early Childhood Program
Sun exposure in childhood and adolescence greatly increases the chances of developing skin cancer later in life.
The SunSmart early childhood program aims to minimise exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun during early childhood.
Why become a SunSmart Service?
The Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority’s National Quality Standard requires all childcare services to have a sun protection policy. Early childhood services have a duty of care to minimise children’s exposure to the sun and provide an environment that encourages sun protection behaviours.
The SunSmart early childhood program assists childcare services to develop and maintain appropriate evidence-based sun protection policies and put them into action. Becoming a SunSmart service demonstrates a commitment to securing the future health and well-being of children and staff.
Developing a SunSmart policy
Each service is responsible for putting into action and regularly reviewing its own sun protection policy. The SunSmart early childhood program has a sample policy and you can choose to use this policy as your own or develop it to meet the context of your service. You can use this sample to get you started.
Apply to become a SunSmart service or renew your membership
Becoming a SunSmart Service is easy, to join simply
Fill in a Contact Details and Partnership Agreement form:
- Child Care Centre / Family Day Care
– Fill in and download Contact Details and Partnership Agreement Form to scan and email or post in.
Develop a sun protection policy.
Submit your Contact Details and Partnership Agreement Form for review to:
OR
SunSmart Officer
Cancer Council Tasmania
69 Howick Street
Launceston TAS 7250
To renew your SunSmart status:
Cancer Council Tasmania requires SunSmart services to review their sun protection policy every three years to maintain their SunSmart membership. Renewal is free of charge.
Update your service details with our Contact Details and Partnership Agreement Form and submit with your current sun protection policy via:
Email: sunsmart@cancertas.org.au
OR
SunSmart Officer
Cancer Council Tasmania
69 Howick Street
Launceston TAS 7250
OR phone our SunSmart officer to discuss on 6341 8403
Resources
The following provide links to popular resources for early childhood and schools:
- Be SunSmart Play SunSmart Early Learning Resource
Includes suggested SunSmart play experiences and incorporates concepts from the Early Years Learning Framework and the Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework.
- SunSmart Countdown. We have a brochure available covering all aspects of UV information, protection etc. Contact CCT’s SunSmart Officer if you’d like one sent to you. Call 1300 65 65 85.
- Generation SunSmart website
Carers can learn about skin cancer, being SunSmart and sun protection strategies.
- SunSmart App for iPhone, Android and Samsung.
The SunSmart app lets you know when you do and don’t need sun protection, making it easier than ever to be smart about your sun exposure all year.
- UV alert widget
Place on your website or intranet, the UV alert widget, updated daily, displays the times of the day that sun protection is needed and general weather information. - Sunscreen fundraiser
Raise funds for your service in a positive and SunSmart way by selling sunscreen. Contact info@skinhealth.com.au for details. - SunSmart early childhood brochure detailing the 5 key sun protection messages for early childhood. Suitable for maternal and child health, early childhood services, parents and carers. Contact sunsmart@cancertas.org.au to order.