Policy statement
This policy has been written for Roots and Wings Community Preschool to ensure the safety of the children when out in the sun. As a Preschool, we believe being outdoors as much as possible is invaluable to children’s physical and mental well-being and we endeavour to be outside every day in almost any kind of weather. We understand that some exposure to UV light from the sun is important for children’s health and helps them to gain vitamin D. However, too much exposure to the sun can lead to very damaging effects including sun burn, sun stroke and skin cancer.
To ensure the safety of our children when out in the sun we will follow the guidance provided by the weather reports on a daily basis as well as our own sun safety procedures.
When days start to get brighter and sunnier, it is the responsibility of the setting to make families aware that they must bring a hat and suncream for their children. Preschool Team members will share information on sun safetyas well as guidance from the NHS
Procedures
- Each day a member of the Management Team will check the weather forecast for the UV index
- The UV Index will be displayed on a notice board by the front door to ensure all families and team members are aware of the UV index for that day
- A sun safety risk assessment must be completed
- All children will be required to bring a named sunhat to wear at all times when out in sunny weather
- All suncream must have ingredients listed clearly as some suncream can contain nuts and would not be able to be accepted for use at Preschool
- Families will be asked to put suncream on their children before they arrive at the setting. A bottle of their individual, named suncream will be kept in a box in the locked cupboard at Preschool. The team will re-apply suncream throughout the day
- The Preschool Team will check the dates on children’s suncream and if they are out of date, they must inform families and request a new bottle
- Sufficient shade will be available for children’s playwork when outside
- Water will be available to the children all day
- Children will be encouraged to drink more water on hot and sunny days
- If the UV index is too high at certain points of the day, the Management Team will make the decision to keep children inside
- If a child becomes sun burnt or has symptoms of sun stroke, the keyperson will call families immediately to inform them and follow the guidelines from the NHS website and administer first aid if necessary
- If families prefer for children not to use suncream they must sign our suncream waiver (see policy attachment) and provide UV safe clothing so children can still benefit from time spent outdoors