Sun protection policy and procedure

This policy sets out how we protect children and staff from the harmful effects of ultraviolet radiation, overexposure to the sun, and severe hot weather events.

Early Learning Victoria gives children as many opportunities as possible to play outside.

We know that playing outside, and particularly in nature, is very important for physical and mental development.

We ensure that children are safe when outdoors and have the right sun and weather protection.

1. Scope

This policy applies to children, families, staff and management of Early Learning Victoria centres. This includes volunteers, pre-service teachers and contractors or labour-hire employees of Early Learning Victoria.

2. Policy statement

This policy aims to protect children and staff at Early Learning Victoria centres from the harmful effects of ultraviolet (UV) radiation and overexposure to the sun.

It also sets out how we protect children and staff from severe hot weather events.

2.1 Requirements

Early Learning Victoria must follow the Education and Care Services National Law Act 2010 (the National Law) and Education and Care Services National Regulations 2011.

Early Learning Victoria must ensure that:

  • this policy is up to date with current SunSmart recommendations
  • families are informed about and agree to support this policy when they enrol (including providing the right sunhat and clothing)
  • sunscreen is available for everyone referred to in this policy
  • parents or carers have given approval for staff to apply sunscreen before their child starts at the service (this form is stored with the child’s enrolment record)
  • outdoor play areas have adequate shade.

Early Learning Victoria must also follow the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004. This means providing a safe and healthy environment for anyone using the centre’s facilities or programs.

2.2 Background and information

Australia has one of the highest rates of skin cancer in the world. Too much exposure to the sun’s UV radiation increases the risk of sunburn, skin and eye damage, and skin cancer.

Young children, particularly toddlers and babies, are at even greater risk of UV damage. This is because they have lower levels of melanin and a thinner outer skin layer.

UV damage in childhood can mean a greater risk of developing skin cancer later in life. To avoid this, sun protection measures are strongly recommended. This includes wearing the right hats and clothing, putting on sunscreen and seeking shade. This is especially important when UV levels reach 3 or higher during daily sun protection times.

Sun safety strategies and education help children understand the importance of sun protection.

3. Actions and procedures

Sun and weather protection at Early Learning Victoria centres

Monitoring sun protection

Sun protection is required when UV levels reach 3 or above. This usually happens in summer, spring and autumn, but can also happen in winter.

Educators must monitor the UV levels daily using one or more of the following:

Children under 12 months are especially vulnerable to sun damage and sunburn. They must be kept out of direct sunlight when the UV index is predicted to reach above 3.

Promoting shade

In spring, summer and autumn, options for play and activities in the shade should be promoted to children. Where possible, these should be moved throughout the day as the shade moves.

Excursions and regular outings should take place as much as possible in shade, to reduce children’s exposure to UV rays.

Conducting a shade audit

Educators should regularly review the outdoor space. There should be enough shade to protect children and staff from harmful UV rays and extreme heat.

The nominated supervisor must conduct a ‘shade audit’ every year at the start of spring – 1 September. Centre staff should refer to the SunSmart shade assessment and shade audit, as a guide for conducting their audit. If the audit shows that more shade is needed, the nominated supervisor must contact the Early Learning Victoria area manager and asset manager to arrange improvements.

Severe heat

‘Severe heat’ or ‘heatwaves’ are times of unusually hot weather.

Heatwaves are becoming more intense in Australia, driven by climate change. They can be very dangerous for children. Babies and young children can dehydrate quickly, which can cause heat-related illness including heat stroke and heat exhaustion.

Centres must use risk management steps to ensure children remain safe and well during a heatwave.

The nominated supervisor should subscribe to the Victorian Government Department of Health’s ‘heat health warnings’.

Personal sun and weather protection

Hats

All Early Learning Victoria staff, students on placement and children must wear sun-safe hats when outside.

Wearing a hat in any season (including winter) helps to build consistent sun-safe habits. It also protects children and staff from harmful UV radiation.

Cancer Council Victoria describes a ‘sun-safe hat’ as one that protects your face, back of the neck, eyes and ears. Sun-safe hats include:

  • a legionnaire hat (the front peak and flap should overlap at the sides and the flap should cover the neck)
  • a bucket hat with a deep crown and an angled brim of at least 5cm for young children (and at least 6cm for adults) that shades the face, neck and ears
  • a broad-brimmed hat with a brim size of at least 6cm for children (or 7.5cm for adults). The brim should shade the whole face.

Baseball caps or visors do not provide enough sun protection. They should not be worn.

At enrolment, children should be given their own Early Learning Victoria sun-safe hat. Or, families should provide a sun-safe hat.

If a child’s hat is lost or damage, Early Learning Victoria staff must ensure they are still included in outdoor play by lending them a spare, washed hat.

Clothing

On days when the UV level is 3 or higher, staff and children must wear sun-safe clothing that covers as much of their skin as possible.

Cancer Council Victoria recommends:

  • clothing made of fabric with a UV protection rating
  • clothing that is cool, loose-fitting and made of densely woven fabrics
  • tops or shirts with collars or high necklines, and sleeves of at least elbow-length
  • clothing that is longer in style (e.g. for pants, shorts, dresses or skirts)
  • high-coverage clothing such as rash vests or t-shirts for outdoor swimming activities and events.

Children who are not wearing sun-safe clothing can be given spare clothing. Otherwise, they can be encouraged to play in the shade or inside.

Midriff, crop or singlet tops do not offer enough sun protection and are not recommended. Thongs and ‘Crocs’ are also discouraged. Closed-toe, secure footwear is preferred for active play.

Sunscreen

On days with a UV level of 3 or higher, staff and children over the age of 6 months need to wear SPF50 or 50+ broad-spectrum water-resistant sunscreen. This must be applied 20 minutes before going outdoors. Sunscreen must be reapplied every 2 hours, or more frequently if washed or wiped off.

Parents and carers are asked in the enrolment form if the centre can apply sunscreen to their child (see the Enrolment and orientation policy).

If permitted by parents, staff will apply sunscreen directly to the child’s exposed skin. To promote independence, children from 3 years of age are encouraged to apply their own sunscreen, under supervision of educators. However, a staff member will need to check to make sure enough has been put on all exposed skin.

The application of sunscreen is recorded in the Sunscreen application record.

If children have allergies or sensitivity to the sunscreen, families need to provide an alternative. A parent or carer must provide a written record of any allergy. This is then noted on the child’s enrolment record. Cancer Council Victoria recommends doing a ‘spot test’ before applying a new sunscreen. This should be done at home – not at the Early Learning Victoria centre.

Sunscreen is stored in a cool, dry place and must be replaced after its use-by date.

3.1 Responsibilities of families

Families need to:

  • apply sunscreen to their child before they arrive at the Early Learning Victoria centre when the UV is 3 or higher
  • tell the Early Learning Victoria centre team what time this sunscreen was applied
  • dress their child in sun-protective clothing
  • provide the centre with sunscreen if their child is sensitive to the one used by the centre, labelling it clearly with their child’s name
  • use the Early Learning Victoria centre hats or provide a named, SunSmart-approved hat for their child (the hat will be used at the Early Learning Victoria centre and on excursions)
  • encourage their child to wear a hat to and from their Early Learning Victoria centre in any warm, high-UV weather.

3.2 Responsibilities of staff

Sun protection for children

Educators must ensure children always have adequate sun protection when at Early Learning Victoria centres. This includes:

  • ensuring children under the age of 12 months are not in direct sunlight
  • applying sunscreen to the exposed skin of children and infants over 6 months (with parental permission), 20 minutes before outdoor activities, and reapplying every 2 hours
  • ensuring children wear SunSmart-approved hats and protective clothing during outdoor activities
  • ensuring that spare, washed hats are available
  • ensuring people wear sun hats that provide adequate protection
  • checking the playground surface temperature daily during summer or extreme heat.

Program planning

Educators should consider sun protection when program planning. This includes:

  • incorporating learning opportunities about the importance of sun safety into programs
  • incorporating sun protection in daily program planning for outdoor activities
  • checking the SunSmart website or app daily for current sun protection times
  • promoting outdoor play in shaded areas whenever possible.

Educators must know the specific needs of infants. These include:

  • the need for infants under 12 months to remain in full shade
  • the requirement for infants to wear hats and sun-safe clothing
  • applying SPF50 or 50+ broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen to infants over 6 months with parental consent
  • not applying sunscreen to infants under 6 months.

UV exposure is an occupational health and safety risk for workers. Children are also more likely to develop sun-safe habits if adults role-model them.

All Early Learning Victoria staff must therefore:

  • wear a sun-safe hat and sun-safe clothing
  • apply SPF50 or 50+ broad-spectrum water-resistant sunscreen 20 minutes before going outdoors, and reapply every two hours
  • use and promote shade
  • wear sunglasses that meet the Australian Standard
  • talk to children about sun protection and model a positive, proactive approach to managing sun protection at the centre
  • encourage children to drink plenty of water
  • adapt the learning environment in severe weather events
  • monitor the UV index levels and daily sun protection times throughout the day
  • regularly monitor and review the effectiveness of this policy and procedure.

4. Resources

Legislation and standards

  • Child Wellbeing and Safety Act 2005
  • Education and Care Services National Law Act 2010
  • Education and Care Services National Regulations 2011
  • National Quality Standard, Quality area 2: Children’s health and safety
  • Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004
  • Supervision of children policy
  • Excursions, incursions and regular outings policy
  • Enrolment and orientation policy

Definitions

Daily sun protection times: These are times when the sun’s UV radiation is forecast to be 3 or higher. Information about the daily sun protection times is in the weather section of daily newspapers, on the SunSmart website, at myuv.com.au, as a free SunSmart app and as a free widget that can be added to websites.

Extreme heat: In Victoria, extreme heat is the average daily temperature that is likely to affect the health of a community. This is known as the Victorian Government Department of Health’s ‘heat health temperature threshold’. When the heat health temperature threshold is reached or exceeded, a heat health alert is triggered. See the Victorian Government Department of Health website for more information about the heat health system and how to subscribe to receive alerts.

Heat-related illness in babies and young children: Babies and young children can quickly lose body fluids through sweating. This can lead to dehydration. Babies and young children may not show early signs and symptoms of the effects of heat. They may simply look unwell or be more irritable than usual. Babies may seem floppy, have drier skin, refuse to drink or have fewer wet nappies than usual. The soft spot on top of the baby’s head may also be lower than usual.

Shade: An area sheltered from direct and indirect sun. Examples include under a large tree, canopy, veranda or artificial cover. Shade can be built, natural or temporary and can reduce overall exposure to the sun’s UV rays by up to 75%.

Ensure shade is easily accessible, comfortable, in good condition and regularly maintained. Use surfaces that reflect less UV, such as natural, dark or rough surfaces.

When shade is combined with appropriate clothing, hats and sunscreen, children can be well protected from too much UV when outdoors. Research shows that outdoor play environments with trees, shrubbery and broken ground not only provide better sun protection in outdoor play but also encourage more physical activity.

SunSmart hat: SunSmart, Cancer Council’s anti-skin-cancer program, defines a SunSmart hat as a broad-brimmed or bucket-style hat (with a brim of at least 5cm for young children) or a legionnaire hat (make sure the front peak and back flap overlap at the sides). The hat must shade the face, neck and ears. Caps and visors offer little protection to the cheeks, ears and neck. They are not an alternative.

Sunscreen: This means SPF 50 or 50+ broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen. Sunscreen should be reapplied every 2 hours, even when labelled ‘4 hours water resistance’.

Make sure the sunscreen has an Australian Licence (Aust L) number and monitor the expiry date. Store it in a supervised, cool, dry place out of direct sun.

Cancer Council recommends a test before applying a new sunscreen. From 3 years of age, children are encouraged to apply their own sunscreen under supervision of staff to help develop independent skills ahead of school.

SunSmart: The name of the program run by Cancer Council to help prevent skin cancer. Visit sunsmart.com.au

5. Authorisations and review

This policy is the responsibility of Early Learning Victoria. Contact: ELV@education.vic.gov.au

It was approved by the CEO, Early Learning Victoria on 18 December 2025.

Early Learning Victoria regularly reviews its policies and procedures. This policy is due for review on 18 December 2027, unless changes in legislation or Department of Education policy require it to be reviewed sooner.

Reviewed by Director, Early Learning ELV and Director, Quality ELV.

Early childhoodParents & carers

Updated

Back to top