FAQs for early childhood services

• Should we use sun protection all year or just terms one and four?
• What about sunny days in winter?
• We have some children with very dark skin at our service. Do they need to use sun protection?
• How should we apply sunscreen to each child?
• I have heard SunSmart doesn't allow children to go outside and play in the middle of the day. Is this true?
• If I put sunscreen on my child when I drop them off at kinder, does it need to be reapplied during the session?

Should we use sun protection all year or just terms one and four?

If you live in Victoria, you don't need to use sun protection all year. Sun protection is needed whenever UV Index levels reach three and above. UV Index levels are three and above from the beginning of September until the end of April. That's when the UV can damage skin and eyes and lead to skin cancer so sun protection should be used during this time and not just during terms one and four.

From May to August, average UV Index levels are low (below three) so sun protection isn't usually necessary during these months unless you are in alpine regions, or near highly reflective surfaces like snow or water.  To help with winter vitamin D, it's important not to use sun protection when it isn't needed.

What about sunny days in winter?

You can see sunlight and feel the sun's heat but you can't see or feel UV radiation. UV is not directly related to air temperature. During winter in Victoria, UV Index levels are usually low (below three), even on warm, sunny days. Good weather in winter provides a great opportunity to get some sun exposure for winter vitamin D.

We have some children with very dark skin at our service. Do they need to use sun protection?

If you care for children with naturally very dark skin at your service, you do not normally need to apply sunscreen. Their high level of skin pigment (melanin) helps protect their skin from UV. It is best to check this with their parents. All children should wear a wide brimmed hat to protect their eyes.

How should we apply sunscreen to each child?

Apply a generous amount of sunscreen to any skin that can't be covered with clothing. Apply the sunscreen at least 20 minutes before going outdoors and reapply it every two hours. When applying sunscreen to a group of children, wash your hands before and after the task. You may want to use a different tissue to apply the sunscreen to each child however, unless the child (or the carer) has a visible skin disease, it is not really an infection-control issue. If a child does have a visible skin disease e.g. eczema or open skin wound, apply their sunscreen last using gloves or a tissue.

I have heard SunSmart doesn't allow children to go outside and play in the middle of the day. Is this true?

Most of the sun's UV radiation reaches us during the middle part of the day between 10am and 2pm (11am and 3pm daylight saving time). This is also when UV levels are most intense. We ask carers/teachers to be mindful of peak UV times and schedule play experiences accordingly. Active, outdoor play is important for health and development so SunSmart doesn't recommend staying indoors all the time. Outdoor programming should include plenty of shade, use of appropriate hats, clothing and sunscreen and minimise time in direct sun whenever possible. You could also try scheduling certain activities in the mornings or afternoons, when UV Index levels are not as high.

If I put sunscreen on my child when I drop them off at kinder, does it need to be reapplied during the session?

SunSmart recommends applying sunscreen every two hours so that you can be sure it has a good chance of providing the best level of protection. If your kinder session is longer than 3 hours, it is recommended that sunscreen be reapplied. It's also an important sun protection lesson to teach children – before they go outdoors they grab their hat and apply sunscreen. Children can learn to apply their own sunscreen and could appoint a sunscreen buddy to help them.

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