By NICOLE VALICEK
ALTONA MEADOWS Children’s services in Altona are leading the way in sun protection.
According to SunSmart Victorian early childhood education and care services are leading the way in children’s sun protection.
The latest survey showed that 99 per cent of early childhood education and care services in Victoria have a written sun protection policy, an increase of five per cent since 2008 and higher than the current national rate of 88 per cent.
Of the 224 Victorian services that responded to the national Cancer Council survey, 98 per cent stated that they required children to wear sunscreen and all services said that they required children to wear hats while playing outside.
Altona Meadows children’s service in Altona is one of the services leading the way.
Hobsons Bay City Council mayor Sandra Wilson said the council was 100 per cent committed to providing the children in their care with a sun safe environment to learn and play outside.
“Our sun protection policy is regularly reviewed to make sure it’s in line with SunSmart guidelines and when it comes to going outside our staff make it clear to the children that they must slip, slop, slap, seek and slide.”
SunSmart schools and early childhood co-ordinator, Justine Osborne, said Victorian early years services have always set a high standard for sun protection.
“We are delighted with the progress that they have made in sun protection over the past five years.”
“Sun protective clothing is one of the best protection methods against UV radiation. It’s vital that services include it as part of their policy.”
“Parents also have an important part to play as they can help support their service’s SunSmart initiatives by making good clothing choices when sending their children to care.”
