SunSmart Early Childhood Program
 SUMMER 2008 SPECIAL OFFER- FREE SUNNIES
The SunSmart Early Childhood Program
Since 2004 the SunSmart Early Childhood Program has been awarding SunSmart status to all ACT early childhood services that have developed and implemented a comprehensive updated sun protection policy. The program is aimed at reducing young children’s exposure time to potentially harmful solar ultraviolet radiation (UVR).
Correct sun protection practices not only reduce a child’s risk of skin damage but also ensure he/she obtains enough vitamin D from the sun to allow for healthy bone development and maintenance.
Why become a SunSmart service?
Australia has the highest rate of skin cancer in the world. With their sensitive skin, young children and babies are at particular risk of sunburn and skin damage. Research reveals that excessive sun exposure during childhood and adolescence is a major risk factor for skin cancer later in life.
The National Childcare Accreditation Council (NCAC) Quality Improvement and Accreditation Systems require that all childcare services have a sun protection policy in place. SunSmart can assist services to develop and maintain their own personalized sun protection policies and practices.
By becoming a SunSmart service you demonstrate to the wider community that your centre is committed towards skin cancer prevention and awareness. Your centre also remains updated on current sun protection behaviors and strategies and will be assured that it has the most updated and effective sun protection policy in place.
As a SunSmart centre you will receive:
- A metal SunSmart sign
- SunSmart Newsletters
- A SunSmart certificate
- Advice and recommendations on your centre's policy development
- Access to resources and posters
- A review of your SunSmart policy and practices every 2 years
- Special offers
- A piece of mind that your centre is doing all it can to protect the children in its care
Family Day Care Schemes, Playgroup and After School Care
Family day care schemes and after school care services are also invited to participate in the SunSmart program. If your service can provide a comprehensive sun protection policy then it will be recognised as a SunSmart service and will receive:
- A SunSmart certificate
- Access to educational resources and posters
- Advice and recommendations on policy development
- The Cancer Council SunSmart Newsletter.
The Cancer Council encourages ALL ACT childcare services to join the SunSmart Program.
Early childhood services are the key to prevention
Centre-based early childhood services, including pre-school, long day care, kindergarten and occasional care, all play a significant role in minimizing our children’s time spent in the sun.
Staff can help change behaviour by acting as SunSmart role models.
Early childhood services can reduce children's UV radiation exposure and skin cancer risk because:
- children often attend services when UV radiation is highest
- early childhood is a significant period to promote the healthy behaviours of a lifetime
- early childhood services, in partnership with families and their communities, can help reduce UV radiation exposure and change behaviour through policy, education and role modelling
Duty of care
Early childhood services have a responsibility to implement skin cancer prevention strategies for children and staff health.
Children: Duty of care refers to the need to protect children against foreseeable harm. Sunburn is a foreseeable outcome of over-exposure to solar UV radiation and there is now evidence linking UV exposure, particularly during childhood and adolescence to skin cancer development later in life.
Staff: Exposure to UV radiation is an accepted occupational health and safety hazard for people who spend all or part of their working days outside. Under the Act, employers have a responsibility to provide a safe working environment. Similarly, workers have a responsibility to adopt protective measures introduced by their employer.
Staff can claim sun protection related expenses on their income tax. For more information contact the Australian Taxation Office on 13 2861(employees) or 132866 (for businesses) or visit www.ato.gov.au
Become a SunSmart Service
Becoming a nationally recognised SunSmart service is child’s play:
STEP 1
Download the SunSmart Early Childhood Program Application Form and Agreement. Complete this and return to the Cancer Council ACT WITH a copy of your service’s sun protection policy. If you are having difficulty developing a comprehensive sun protection policy for your service then download the Early Childhood Sun Protection Sample Policy and Checklist for the ACT.
*You may also choose to read Developing a Sun Protection Policy to assist you with your new policy development.
STEP 2
Once you have returned your SunSmart application, agreement and policy, The Cancer Council will review your application form and policy then forward a letter outlining any recommendations that will bring your policy up to national standards.
STEP 3
Update your policy accordingly and return it to TCCACT. It is typical for most services to submit their sun protection policy 2 or 3 times before it meets such high standards.
STEP 4
Once your policy meets minimal requirements, your centre will be offered a SunSmart status. You may be required to pick your sign and certificate up from the Cancer Council’s office or a SunSmart representative may drop your sign and certificate of at your centre. You will also be required to pay a one off joining fee and will be invoiced $35. Your centre's SunSmart status can then be viewed on the SunSmart Early Childhood Program Database (ACT).
STEP 5
Now your centre has a recognized SunSmart status- The Cancer Council recommends you promote your new policy and commitment amongst staff, parents and carers. It is very important that everyone associated with the centre is aware of your new policy and understands that your centre is serious about positive sun protection behavior and attitudes.
What next?
Your centre will then be added to The Cancer Council’s SunSmart Program database and will be expected to take part in a SunSmart Policy Review every 2 years. This is an important part of the SunSmart program as it allows your centre to report on any strategies that may or may not be working well. It also allows an opportunity for your service to comment on any future plans it may have toward promoting skin cancer prevention and awareness.
 SunSmart Early Childhood Centre Policy Review Form
Resources available
The Cancer Council ACT has a range of resources available to assist early childhood services in developing and implementing sun protection policies, practices and educational programs. Most resources are available for loan through The Cancer Council ACT’s library service, some resources can be purchased from The Council whilst some resources can be provided free-of-charge to childcare centres or services with a SunSmart status. View resource list.
SunSmart Early Childhood Program Database (ACT)
With a growing number of early childhood services throughout the ACT, it is sometimes difficult to know which services have been recognised with a “SunSmart” status and which ones have not yet. In most cases Canberra childcare services are very diligent when it comes to sun protection behaviour and practices. Some services may only need to make a few minor adjustments to their current sun protection policy in order to receive a nationally recognised SunSmart status for all their efforts and commitment toward skin cancer prevention and awareness.
Services listed as “Participating”. These services have already made a great start toward joining the program however have not yet achieved a SunSmart status because they have not updated and returned their services's current policy. The Cancer Council encourages these services to update and return their policy asap.
Services listed as "Not Participating". These services have shown an interest in joining the program and have requested a SunSmart Application Kit to be posted out to their service. The Cancer Council encourages these services to complete and return their SunSmart Application Form, Agreement AND sun protection policy ASAP.
Please note that some services may already have a SunSmart status- however their policy may be outdated and require updating. The Cancer Council encourages ALL childcare services in the ACT to keep their sun protection policy updated. The Cancer Council can assist services toward updating and developing a comprehensive sun protection policy which meets national SunSmart standards.
View YOUR service's current SunSmart status
SUNSMART NEWSLETTERS
 Winter 2008
Summer 2007
Autumn/Winter, 2007
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