Introduction:

Welcome to Teepee Day Nursery, where we place a high priority on sun safety for children. Our commitment to providing a safe and healthy environment extends to protecting your child’s delicate skin from the harmful effects of the sun. As proud participants in the Sun Safe Nurseries programme, we have implemented effective measures and policies to ensure optimal sun protection. Explore this article to learn more about our dedication to sun safety and gain access to valuable resources.

Why Sun Safety Matters for Children:

At Teepee Day Nursery, we understand the importance of balanced sun exposure for children’s well-being. However, it is crucial to address the potential risks associated with excessive sun exposure, especially during their time spent outdoors. Did you know that children spend nearly half of their childhood at pre and primary school, making sun safety an essential aspect of their care? Without adequate protection, their delicate skin is susceptible to burning, leading to long-term damage and an increased risk of skin cancer later in life. Thankfully, skin cancer is largely preventable, with up to 90% of cases avoidable.

Our Sun Safety Policy:

To ensure the highest level of sun safety, we have developed a comprehensive Sun Safety Policy at Teepee Day Nursery. This policy aligns with the guidelines set by the Sun Safe Nurseries program, reflecting our commitment to creating a safe and healthy environment for your child.

Parental Partnership for Sun Safety:

We believe that promoting sun safety requires collaboration between parents and our nursery. Here is a list of strategies that really make a difference:

  1. Protective Clothing: Dressing your child in suitable clothing that covers their shoulders, providing an initial line of defence against the sun’s rays.
  2. Sun Hats: Ensuring your child wears either a broad-brimmed (bucket style) or legionnaire sun hat, offering adequate shade for their face, neck, ears, and cheeks. Remember to label the hat clearly and bring it to or keep it at the nursery from April to September.
  3. Quality Sunscreen: Equipping your child with a suitable sunscreen is crucial. At nursery we provide broad-spectrum sunscreen to protect against UVA and UVB rays.

Educational Initiatives for Sun Safety:

At Teepee Day Nursery, we integrate educational initiatives into our curriculum to instil a strong understanding of sun safety in children. Through engaging books, songs, and activities, we introduce and reinforce key Sun Safe messaging, aiming to influence their behaviours positively. We encourage parents to support these messages at home to foster a sun-safe and skin cancer-free future for their children.

Additional Resources for Sun Safety:

To enhance your knowledge and promote continued sun safety, please review this booklet on sun safety.

Teepee Day Nursery (sunsafenurseries.co.uk)