We care about protecting children and young people through education and supporting UV safe environments to ensure further SunSmart generations.
Reducing skin cancer risk
UV exposure during childhood and adolescence has a big impact on future skin cancer risk. Early childhood services have a duty of care to minimise children’s exposure to the sun and provide an environment that encourages sun protection behaviours.
Infants and children are often in education and care services or at kindergarten during the peak UV times during the day, making it essential for services to not only have practices in place to protect the children in their care, but also to educate and act as role models for the importance of sun protection.
Children should be able to learn and play safely outdoors, and as educators we need to support children and families to the know the risks of ultraviolet (UV) radiation. By teaching sensible sun safety habits at an early age and implementing sun protection measures, services can play a significant role in reducing skin cancer risk.
Cancer Council can support all early childhood education and care (ECEC) and out of school hours care (OSHC) services develop and implement a comprehensive, evidence-based sun protection policy to reduce UV exposure and associated risks. The SunSmart Early Childhood and OSHC program aims to minimise exposure to UV radiation from the sun during the early years.
Support for WA Early Childhood and OSHC services
SunSmart Services: This membership program assists ECEC and OSHC services to meet minimum standards for sun protection. The Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority’s (ACECQA) National Quality Standard requires all childcare services have a sun protection policy. The SunSmart program assists services to develop and maintain sun protection policies and put them into action.
UV protection support: ECEC and OSHC are encouraged are encouraged to implement sun protection best practice guidelines. Supporting resources, including free online professional learning modules, are available at Generation SunSmart.
Become a SunSmart member
The SunSmart program for ECEC and OSHC aims to minimise overexposure to UV radiation from the sun and influence sun protection behaviours. SunSmart membership is associated with significant improvements in the quality of policies and strategies to reduce sun exposure.
Joining the SunSmart program demonstrates a commitment to securing the future health and well-being of children and staff. The program is open to childcare, family day care schemes, OSHC and early learning services.
SunSmart members receive:
- A metal ‘We are SunSmart’ sign.
- SunSmart membership certificate.
- 20% discount on sunscreen purchased through online shop.
- Supporting resources to assist staff and parents in promoting sun protection.
- Ongoing updates, support and advice
For more information please email: sunsmart@cancerwa.asn.au or call (08) 9212 4333.
Apply to become a SunSmart service or renew your membership
Become a SunSmart service is easy, simply:
- Review the Sun protection best practice guidelines for Western Australian early childhood & OSHC services
- Develop and implement a sun protection policy or update the existing one. A SunSmart early childhood sample policy and a SunSmart OSHC policy is available for services to adapt.
- Complete an application form online or download the SunSmart Application Form For information on details we collect, please see our Privacy Collection Statement.
- We will review your application and policy and provide feedback or suggested updates.
- Once approved, we will post out your SunSmart membership pack and you will be able to proudly display your ‘We are SunSmart’ sign.
A joining fee is payable upon qualification as a SunSmart member.
Education and care: $80 (incl GST)
Family Day Care services: $80 (incl GST)
Out of School Hours Care services: $50 (incl GST)
Renewal of SunSmart membership: no charge
Replacement sign fee: $55 (incl GST)
SunSmart members receive:
- A metal ‘We are SunSmart’ sign
- SunSmart membership certificate
- A 20% discount at the Cancer Council WA shop in Subiaco
- Supporting resources to assist staff and parents in promoting sun protection
- Ongoing updates, support and advice
For more information please email the SunSmart WA Education Coordinator or call (08) 9212 4333.
Cancer Council WA requires SunSmart Services to review their sun protection policy every three years to maintain their SunSmart membership. Renewal of membership is free of charge to the original centre management.