Sun Protection

The sun’s rays are particularly strong over the summer and they can damage children’s skin, which could lead to problems in later life. The well-being and health of children attending Head Start is very important to the staff and whilst we wish to them to enjoy the benefits of being outside, we also need to ensure that they are protected from these harmful rays.

During the summer months when the sun is at it’s strongest the following points will be enforced:
 
1. Children playing outside will always wear sun hats which are provided by parents and named. Head Start does have some spare sun hats in the event that parents forget to bring one but it is preferable that a child has it’s own. Children who do not have a sun hat will not be able to go outside.

2. Children should have sunscreen applied before attending the school preferably over factor 15.

3. Those children who attend all day will be assisted by staff to apply a further covering of sun screen at lunchtime which should have been sent in with their bags or a bottle left at the school permanently with the child’s name clearly labelled. The school does hold some sunscreen should the child not have any but this will only be used after parental permission has been sought.

4. Staff will erect a gazebo to provide shade in the garden and ensure that children spend the majority of their time under this protection.

5. As part of the curriculum, children will be taught the need to protect themselves from the sun not only whilst at school but at all times during the summer months.