Childhood sun exposure is an important contributing factor to the development of skin cancer in later life. Research evidence indicates that sun exposure in the first 15 years of life contributes significantly to a person’s lifetime risk for skin cancer. Therefore, as children grow, they need to continue to practise SunSmart behaviours to prevent skin cancer from developing in the future.

Because children are at school during peak ultraviolet radiation (UVR) times, they play a major role in minimising children’s exposure to UVR and providing a SunSmart environment which will positively influence long-term behaviours.

Since January 1999, Cancer Council Australia and Cancer Council Queensland have invited each primary school in Queensland to be awarded as a ”SunSmart School" as part of the National SunSmart Schools Program. Schools are asked to complete a questionnaire and send it, along with a copy of their sun protection policy, to Cancer Council Queensland to be assessed.

Each school’s application is assessed on the following criteria:

• Written and implemented policy
• Teaching and learning programs
• Uniforms (including hats)
• Sunscreen use
• Shade
• Scheduling of outdoor activities
• Reinforcement/promotion of SunSmart message

Schools that meet the SunSmart School standard receive a large metal "SunSmart School" sign to display on their fence, as well as a sample media release to send to their local newspaper and further promotional material.

Cancer Council Queensland has developed SunSmart Policy Guidelines for school settings which help organisations develop their own SunSmart policy and provide ideas for the implementation of the policy. Developing a formal, written SunSmart policy demonstrates your concern for the health of those in your care.

Download our Primary, Secondary and School Aged Care SunSmart Policy Guidelines booklet.

To apply to the National SunSmart Schools Program Qld online click here.

To become involved in the National SunSmart Schools Program, please call the Cancer Council Helpline (toll free) on 13 11 20 to request an application pack or click here to download the SunSmart Schools Program Application Questionnaire.  Please email all SunSmart forms including application forms to sunsmartapplications@cancerqld.org.au.

Every four years of being a SunSmart School, complete your SunSmart review here.

SunSmart behaviour should be a habit that starts in childhood and continues throughout life. Research indicates that childhood sun exposure is an important contributing factor to the development of skin cancer in later life. Therefore, it is important to minimise children’s exposure to direct and reflected sunlight.

Early childhood settings play a major role in minimising children’s exposure to ultraviolet radiation and providing a SunSmart environment which will positively influence long-term behaviours.

To recognise the important work being done by long day care, occasional care, limited hours care, kindergartens and preschools, the SunSmart Early Childhood Centres Program was launched in October 2000. Early childhood organisations are asked to complete a questionnaire and send it, along with a copy of their sun protection policy, to Cancer Council Queensland to be assessed.

A centre’s SunSmart status is determined by several factors including:

• The use of SunSmart hats and clothing.
• Shade provision.
• Sunscreen use.
• Role modelling.
• Education about sun protection.
• Minimising outdoor play in the middle of the day.

Centres that meet the SunSmart standard receive a large metal "SunSmart Centre" sign to display on their fence, as well as a sample media release to send to their local newspaper and further promotional material.

Cancer Council Queensland has developed SunSmart Policy Guidelines for early childhood settings which help organisations develop their own SunSmart policy and provide ideas for the implementation of the policy. Developing a formal, written SunSmart policy demonstrates your concern for the health of those in your care.

Download our Early Childhood Settings SunSmart Policy Guidelines booklet.

To become involved in the SunSmart Early Childhood Centres Program please call the Cancer Council Helpline on 13 11 20 for an application pack or click here to apply online.
 
Every four years of being a SunSmart Centre, complete your SunSmart review here.

The SunSmart Family Day Care Program is available to all registered Family Day Care Schemes to recognise the important work done by these services in protecting children against sun damage.

A Family Day Care Scheme is awarded SunSmart after the sun protection policy has been assessed and meets standards relating to:

• The use of SunSmart hats and clothing.
• Shade provision.
• Sunscreen use.
• Role modelling.
• Education about sun protection.
• Minimising outdoor play in the middle of the day.

Schemes that meet these criteria are awarded with a large metal SunSmart sign to display outside their office, samples of resources and media assistance. Each Scheme then awards each of their Providers with SunSmart status once they comply with the above SunSmart criteria. Certificates are provided for Schemes to hand out to SunSmart Providers.

Download our SunSmart Schools resources:

SunSmart Countown
Sung by Playschool’s Justine Clarke with lyrics from Peter Dasent, you can easily teach skin cancer awareness to your children and students using our recommendations  to Slip! Slop! Slap! Seek! Slide! with the SunSmart Countdown song.  

Download the SunSmart Countdown song
Download the SunSmart Countdown instrumental version
Download the accompanying SunSmart Countdown  activity sheet, lyrics and sheet music.
Slip! Slop! Slap! (mp3)

Kidskin
We are proud to offer ‘Kidskin’, a suite of three new curriculum based resources for use in Queensland primary schools. The first book is for middle primary school year levels (grades 4 and 5). The second and newest edition to the suite is for lower primary school year levels (grades 1, 2 and 3). The final book for senior primary year levels will be available in late 2010.
These free resources are comprehensive encyclopaedias of skin cancer prevention information and contain teacher’s notes, background information, parent education sheets and classroom activities which align with the education curricula for Queensland primary schools. Order your free copies now from the Cancer Council Helpline by calling (toll free)
13 11 20 or email the Helpline.

Real Stories
‘Real Stories about Skin Cancer and Sun Damage’ is now available, free, for Queensland secondary schools. This resource is suitable for high school students only and features four news stories on a DVD about young people affected by skin cancer through sun baking and solaria use. An accompanying teacher’s resource contains classroom activities and discussion points reflecting the stories in the DVD. Order your free copy now through the Cancer Council Helpline by calling (toll free) 13 11 20 or email the Helpline.