Children and babies are at particular risk of sunburn and skin damage because of their delicate skin. Exposure to UV radiation during the first 15 years of life greatly increases the risk of developing skin cancer later in life. The good news is most skin cancer can be prevented. Early childhood services have a vital role in reducing young children's exposure to UV radiation and to help establish long-term sunsafe behaviour.
The SunSmart Early Childhood Program is a national program run by Cancer Councils. It supports childcare services to develop and implement a sun protection policy that reduces children's exposure to UV radiation and reduces the risk of skin cancer.
The program is for family day care, early childhood centres and preschools.
The SunSmart program can help you to:
Develop a best-practice policy
Many early childhood services have a sun protection policy, but it may not be up to date with the latest recommendations or cover all the service's sun protection strategies. The SunSmart program can help you review your sun protection strategies and develop these into a comprehensive sun protection policy.
Meet licensing and accreditation requirements
Being a SunSmart early childhood service helps you meet licensing requirements . The Department of Community Services and the National Childcare Accreditation Council refer childcare services to the Cancer Council for information and advice about their sun protection policy.
Show your commitment
Becoming SunSmart is a great way to show families and the community that you are committed to sun protection.
SunSmart centres receive a large metal sign to display at the front of the service, which recognises and promotes your work in sun protection.
Receive support and information
SunSmart services receive quarterly newsletters, resources and ongoing support from the Cancer Council's SunSmart team.
Becoming a SunSmart service is easy. Simply fill out an Early Childhood Program Application Form, attach the service's current sun protection policy and send it to the Cancer Council NT.
Download application forms and policy templates below.
For further information on becoming a SunSmart centre please email: healthpromotion@cancernt.org.au
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