Rationale: To ensure that staff and children are protected from over exposure to the sun and to minimise the risk of sun damage to children and staff.

Procedure: Upon enrolment parents/whanau must give signed permission for staff to apply centre sunscreen to their child.  If child requires special sunscreen this must be provided by the parent.

Centre will use an appropriate sunscreen provided by the cancer society and follow their recommendations.

During warm months and especially during Terms 1 and Term 4 sunscreen will be applied to children at 9:30am and 1:00pm prior to children going outside.  Staff will check allergies chart and be aware of those children using their own special sunscreen.

All children and staff must wear a sun hat during this time.  Children and staff must provide their own sunhat which will be named and washed regularly. 

Children who do not wear a sunhat cannot play outside and must play inside or in a play area which is shaded.   When sun is hot activities will be placed in areas where there is shade.

If outside supervision staff believe it is too hot to play outside children will be sent inside for that period until weather cools down then outside play can continue again. If sunburn occurs keep child out of sun cover child with something soft, inform supervisor and parents and ensure child has plenty of fluids. Inform parents and caregiver. 

Reference: Early Childhood Regulations 46 Criteria 46