A SunSmart Policy is a document that outlines what your Family Day Care (FDC) Scheme does to make sure the children and staff are protected from the sun such as wearing appropriate hats and clothing, using shade and applying sunscreen. It includes the strategies your FDC Scheme will use to ensure the sun protection measures, such as wearing appropriate hats and clothing, using shade and applying sunscreen, are practiced. Anyone should be able to read the policy and understand your FDC Scheme’s commitment to sun protection. For additional information, please find enclosed a SunSmart Policy guidelines booklet for early childhood settings.

For those FDC Schemes that do not currently have a SunSmart Policy, Cancer Council Queensland can provide a sample SunSmart Policy to assist in the preparation of your document. Please find enclosed a sample policy that can be modified or amended to suit the needs of your FDC Scheme.

Participating in the SunSmart FDC Program ensures FDC Schemes have a sun protection policy that complies with Cancer Council Queensland’s recommendations. Once awarded as SunSmart, you are able to promote your FDC Scheme as such, which tells the community about your commitment to the health of the children in your care. SunSmart also offers ongoing support and information to FDC Schemes.

After your SunSmart Policy has been assessed as one which meets Cancer Council Queensland’s assessment criteria, your Scheme will be provided with SunSmart certificates for each FDC provider, a checklist that is to be completed for each FDC provider, a sample media release to send to your local newspaper and further promotional material.

Cancer Council Queensland will provide the FDC Scheme with a checklist for each FDC provider to confirm SunSmart policies are being followed. The checklist will need to be completed once every two years, during a home visit to the FDC provider. In order for the FDC provider to be awarded as SunSmart each of the SunSmart criteria on the checklist must be met. Once the checklist is completed and each SunSmart criteria has been met, the FDC Scheme can award the provider with a SunSmart certificate. It is a requirement that once a FDC provider is awarded SunSmart, the checklist is faxed back to your nearest office of Cancer Council Queensland.

’SunSmart Family Day Care‘ status is for a period of two years, after which you will be asked to reassess your SunSmart Policy and practices and complete another checklist for each FDC provider. This is to ensure that a high standard of sun protection is maintained with your FDC providers. If your FDC Scheme is initially unsuccessful in becoming SunSmart, you will be offered further assistance to help meet the policy criteria.

In Queensland, the sun’s ultraviolet rays (the part of the sun which can damage the skin) are most intense from 10am – 3pm all year round. We do not suggest children stay indoors for this entire period but ask carers to be mindful of peak ultraviolet radiation (UVR) times and schedule activities accordingly. SunSmart recommends that, where practical, outdoor activities occur before 10am and after 3pm, when UVR levels are not as intense. While outside, playing in the shade, wearing hats, sunscreen and longer sleeved clothing will keep children well protected from UV rays.

Queensland’s close proximity to the equator means that there are high levels of UVR all year round, including winter. In Queensland, sunburn can occur in as little as 10 minutes on a fine January day. Cancer Council Queensland recommends that sun protection practices and policies be implemented all year round.

Cancer Council Queensland has a range of skin cancer prevention and early detection resources targeting children and adults. These include brochures, posters, information sheets and stickers. Cancer Council Queensland Community Speakers Program provides free 30 minute presentations on skin cancer prevention and early detection to staff and parents. Please contact the Cancer Council Helpline on 13 11 20 to book a community speaker or to order your resources.