As UV levels rise across the state, Victorian pre-school and
childcare services are leading the way in slapping on their hats and
slipping on shirts, according to new SunSmart research released today to
coincide with the program’s 18th anniversary in preschools and
childcare centres.
The SunSmart Early Childhood Program, which is celebrating 18 years
this month, encourages a healthy ultraviolet (UV) exposure balance to
ensure children and educators are sun safe when they need to be.
The new data released today shows that 100% of services involved in
the program encourage children to wear hats during the peak UV seasoni, from September to April, compared to just 2% of services in 1988.ii The data also shows that 72% of services encourage sun-protective clothing use, compared to just 4% of services in 2001.iii
Eighty-one per cent of Victorian Early Childhood Education and Care
services are voluntary members of the program, which reaches more than
190,000 children and their families every year.
SunSmart Manager Sue Heward said: “Early childhood services can play a
very important role in protecting our young children from overexposure
to the sun’s UV rays, and in the long term, in reducing these children's
future skin cancer risk.”
Minister for Children and Early Childhood Development Wendy Lovell
said: “It’s important children learn to slip, slop, slap, seek and slide
from a young age and develop SunSmart habits that last a lifetime.
“Keeping children safe from UV rays is all of our responsibility and I
would like to thank schools and children’s services across the state
for doing their bit. Over three quarters of Victorian early childhood
services are registered SunSmart members and I’d encourage those who are
not already members to get on board. Our support for this program
builds on a range of Victorian Government initiatives aimed at keeping
children safe from the sun, including investments in installing shaded
areas in children’s centres, schools, playgrounds and parks,” Minister
Lovell said.
Dame Nellie Melba Kindergarten in Richmond is a founding member of
the program, joining when it first began in 1996. Teacher Joshua Miles
said: “Children attend kindergarten sessions during peak UV times and
engage in active, outdoor play where exposure to UV can be significant.
“Working together with SunSmart, we’ve introduced measures to reduce
overexposure to UV when children are playing outdoors. This includes
installing shade, encouraging sunprotective hats and clothing for
children and educators, ensuring sunscreen is applied throughout the day
and learning about skin and how to protect it. We also provide
information for families − it’s not just about being SunSmart at kinder,
but at home too.”
Kindergarten parent committee president Rick Phelps applauds the
program, which he said has helped ensure sun protection is a regular
part of the family routine. Mr Phelps said: “We’re very conscious of hat
and clothing choices and practice sunscreen application with our son so
that he will be all set for school. He’s even starting to remind me to
grab my broad-brimmed hat before we head out.”
Sun protection is required in Victoria from September to April when
the UV levels are 3 or higher. To find the daily UV level and times that
you’ll need sun protection download the free SunSmart app, check the
weather section of the newspaper or visit www.sunsmart.com.au
[i] Hawkins K, Fish J & Roth F. Sun protection policies and
practices of Australian early childhood services: Results of the 2013
National Early Childhood Sun Protection Policy and Practice Survey.
Report prepared for the National Skin Committee and Cancer Council
Victoria. Adelaide, Australia. Cancer Council South Australia, October
2013.
[ii] Noy S & Rassaby J. When we were very young: a skin
cancer prevention program for preschool age children and their
caregivers, in SunSmart Evaluation Studies No.2 1992, Anti-Cancer
Council of Victoria: Melbourne, Australia. p. 119–27.
[iii] Dobbinson SJ. Reaction to the 2000/2001 SunSmart campaign:
Results from a telephone survey of Victorians, in SunSmart Evaluation
Studies No. 72004, The Cancer Council Victoria: Melbourne, Australia.
p.69–84.