FAQs for early childhood services

• Should we use sun protection all year or just terms one and four?
• I have heard SunSmart doesn't allow children to go outside and play in the middle of the day. Is this true?
• 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?
• 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 round. Sun protection is needed whenever UV Index levels reach 3 and above. This is when UV can damage skin and eyes and lead to skin cancer. In Victoria average UV levels are 3 and above from September until the end of April. Sun protection should be used during these months - not just during terms one and four. Check the SunSmart UV Alert each day to find out UV levels and the times of the day when sun protection is needed.

From May to August, average UV Index levels are low (below 3) so sun protection isn't usually needed unless you are in alpine regions, near highly reflective surfaces like snow or outside for extended periods of time.

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

UV levels are most intense during the middle part of the day - between 10 am and 3 pm. We ask educators 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 and use of appropriate hats, clothing and sunscreen. 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 three 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. This is a skill they will need before they start school. Children can learn to apply their own sunscreen and could appoint a sunscreen buddy to help them.

• Email this page
• Print this article