Sun Smart Centre: How Childcare Protects Little Ones Outdoors This Summer
Longer days, warm afternoons and the smell of sunscreen are part of summer in the Sutherland Shire. At The Ridge, outdoor play is a big part of childhood. Children climb, dig, run, garden, look for insects and spend long stretches of the day in our bushland backyard.
We would not have it any other way.
Australia also has some of the strongest UV levels in the world. Young children’s skin is delicate, and sun damage in childhood can add to the risk of skin cancer later in life. That is why sun safety at childcare needs to be calm, consistent and part of the daily rhythm, not something saved for the hottest days.
The goal is simple. Children should be able to enjoy the outdoors, build confidence, explore nature and play freely, while adults quietly put the right protections in place.
Why sun safety matters so much in early childhood
Children do not think about UV levels while they are building sandcastles, mixing mud pies or chasing bubbles. That is the adult’s job.
Heat is easy to feel. UV is different. A day can be cool, cloudy or breezy and still have UV high enough to damage skin. In Sydney and many parts of Australia, sun protection is needed for much of the year, not just in December and January.
At The Ridge, we check the UV each day. When the UV index is 3 or above, children need sun protection. This is the benchmark used by Cancer Council and SunSmart guidance.
That daily UV check helps educators make practical choices, such as:
when to head outside
which play areas to use
when to reapply sunscreen
when to move water play into more shade
when babies need extra protection from direct sunlight
Sun safety works best when it feels normal. A hat before outdoor play. Sunscreen before heading out. Water bottles nearby. Shade as part of the play environment. These small habits add up.
For children, the message becomes simple:
Hat, sunscreen, shade. Now we’re ready to play.
This kind of routine helps children learn what their bodies need. Over time, they begin to take part in the process themselves. They remind each other about hats. They look for shady spots. They learn that sunscreen is part of getting ready, just like shoes for a walk or a helmet for a bike.
The five sun safe steps children can learn
We follow Cancer Council’s well-known five steps for sun protection. They are easy to remember, and children enjoy saying them aloud once they become familiar.
Slip on covering clothing
Clothing is one of the simplest ways to protect skin. At childcare, this means choosing clothes that cover as much skin as practical while still letting children move, climb and play comfortably.
T-shirts that cover the shoulders are a better choice than singlets. Longer sleeves or lightweight cover-ups can be helpful on high UV days, especially for children who burn easily.
The best sun safe clothing for young children is:
cool and breathable
easy to move in
comfortable for messy play
able to cover shoulders, backs and upper arms
clearly labelled so it can find its way home
Children are busy. They sit in sandpits, crawl through tunnels, carry buckets and splash in water. Clothing needs to suit real play, not just look neat at drop-off.
Slop on sunscreen
Sunscreen is part of our daily routine when sun protection is needed. We use broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen that is SPF 30 or higher, in line with Cancer Council guidance.
Sunscreen is applied before outdoor play and reapplied every two hours. We reapply more often after water play, heavy sweating or lots of towel drying.
Older children are encouraged to help with their own sunscreen, with close educator support. This does not mean they are left to manage it alone. It means they learn where sunscreen needs to go, how much care it takes and why it matters.
Commonly missed spots include:
ears
back of the neck
tops of feet
backs of hands
along the hairline
around hat straps
Building this awareness early helps children grow into sun safe habits. It also gives them a sense of independence and body awareness.
Slap on a protective hat
Hats are non-negotiable for outdoor play when UV is 3 or above. At The Ridge, children wear a broad-brimmed, bucket or legionnaire-style hat outside.
Caps are not sun safe enough for childcare because they leave the ears, cheeks and back of the neck exposed. Those areas can burn quickly, especially during long outdoor play.
Our rule is clear and easy for children to understand: no hat, play in the shade.
This keeps the boundary calm and consistent. It is not a punishment. It is a safety routine. Children still have access to play, but they need to stay in shaded areas until they have the right hat.
Seek shade
Shade is one of the most useful forms of sun protection, especially for young children who spend long periods outdoors.
At The Ridge, our outdoor spaces include shaded areas where children can play, rest, read, dig, build and watch the world around them. We also use natural shade from trees where appropriate, along with covered play spaces.
Educators think about shade throughout the day. They may move an activity, adjust the timing of active play or guide children towards cooler areas during peak UV and heat.
Shade does not mean sitting still. It can include:
water play under cover
gardening beside trees
story time on outdoor mats
block building in a shaded corner
bug hunts along cooler garden edges
quiet play after lunch
Outdoor play should still feel joyful. The difference is that educators plan the environment carefully so children are not left exposed for long stretches.
Slide on sunglasses if children are comfortable
Some children are happy to wear sunglasses. Others take them off within seconds. We support sunglasses where families provide them and children are comfortable.
For young children, comfort matters. Sunglasses should fit well, stay on during play and be safe for active movement. They are helpful, but they are only one part of the full sun safe routine. Hats, clothing, sunscreen and shade still do most of the work.
How The Ridge keeps outdoor play safe and joyful
The best sun protection routines are the ones children can live with. At The Ridge, the aim is not to make outdoor play feel restricted. It is to plan well so children can enjoy the day with fewer risks.
That takes teamwork, observation and consistency.
We check UV every day
Educators check the UV as part of daily planning. If the UV index is 3 or above, sun protection is needed. In our climate, that can happen across much of the year.
This helps us avoid relying on temperature alone. A mild spring morning can still need sunscreen. A cloudy day can still call for hats. Checking UV keeps decisions grounded in the actual risk.
Families can do the same at home using the SunSmart Global UV app. It shows daily sun protection times and makes it easier to plan parks, beach visits, sport and weekend play.
We time active play thoughtfully
Children need outdoor time for movement, confidence, learning and wellbeing. Fresh air matters. So does physical play. Running, climbing and digging help children build strength, balance and coordination.
On very hot days or high UV days, educators plan the most active play for times when conditions are more comfortable. That may mean more energetic play earlier in the day, with quieter activities later.
Water play, gardening and nature exploration can still happen, but we choose the safest setup. That might mean extra shade, shorter sessions or more frequent water breaks.
We keep sunscreen visible in the routine
Sunscreen works best when it is not forgotten. At childcare, it needs to be built into transitions.
Before heading outside, educators help children prepare. Hats go on, sunscreen is checked, water bottles are ready and play spaces are set up. Later, sunscreen is reapplied as needed, especially before another outdoor session.
This routine also helps children understand sequence. They learn that getting ready for outside includes caring for their skin.
For some children, sunscreen can feel sticky or uncomfortable. Others have sensitive skin. Families should let educators know about any reactions, allergies or preferences. In many cases, we can talk about using a sunscreen provided by the family, as long as it is clearly labelled and suitable for childcare use.
We encourage regular water breaks
Sun safety is not only about skin. Summer outdoor play also needs good hydration.
Children have water bottles within easy reach, and educators encourage regular sips throughout the day. This is especially important during busy play, when children may not stop on their own.
Water breaks are simple, but they help children listen to their bodies. A short pause for a drink can reset the pace of the day and help children return to play feeling better.
Babies need extra care in the sun
Babies under 12 months need special care because their skin is especially sensitive and they are less able to manage heat.
Cancer Council recommends keeping babies out of direct sun when the UV index is 3 or above. Shade, clothing and hats should be the main forms of protection. Sunscreen is not recommended for widespread use on babies under six months.
In our Budgies room, educators take a careful approach. Babies are kept in shaded areas, with light clothing that covers the skin and hats that protect the face, ears and neck. Outdoor time is still valuable, but it is planned around comfort, shade and close supervision.
For babies, sun safe care may include:
pram shade or outdoor shaded play areas
lightweight clothing that covers arms and legs
soft hats that stay in place
short outdoor sessions during suitable conditions
close monitoring for signs of heat or discomfort
Babies cannot tell us when they feel too hot or when the light is bothering them. Educators watch carefully and adjust the environment quickly.
Families can support this by packing suitable spare clothing, a labelled hat and any specific items discussed with the room educators.
Sun protection and vitamin D can work together
Children need some sunlight to help their bodies make vitamin D, which supports healthy bones. This can make sun safety sound confusing at first. If sunlight helps, why protect children from it?
The answer is balance.
In summer, most children in Australia get enough sun exposure through everyday outdoor activity, even when sun protection is used. Children are still outside. They are still moving, playing and exploring. The difference is that we reduce direct UV exposure during the times when it can do harm.
At The Ridge, we do not keep children indoors unnecessarily. Outdoor play is part of our program and part of who we are. We simply play outside smartly.
That means:
checking UV rather than guessing
using shade well
dressing children for coverage
applying and reapplying sunscreen
keeping babies out of direct sun
making water breaks part of the day
This balanced approach gives children the benefits of outdoor play while reducing avoidable sun damage.
This article is general information only and does not replace medical advice. Families with questions about skin conditions, allergies, vitamin D or sunscreen reactions should speak with a health professional.
How families can help build sun safe habits
Sun safety works best when home and childcare follow the same simple messages. Children feel more confident when the routine is familiar in both places.
A few small steps at home can make the childcare day smoother.
Pack a sun safe hat every day, clearly labelled A broad-brimmed, bucket or legionnaire hat is best. A spare hat for the cubby can be very helpful.
Choose clothing with good coverage T-shirts that cover the shoulders are better than singlets. Light, breathable fabrics help children stay comfortable.
Apply sunscreen before drop-off on sunny mornings This helps children arrive ready for the day, especially when outdoor play begins early.
Tell educators about skin sensitivities If a child reacts to sunscreen or needs a particular product, talk with the team so everyone can plan safely.
Check daily UV levels The SunSmart Global UV app is a useful tool for checking sun protection times at home, on weekends and during holidays.
Keep the language simple Children remember short phrases. Try saying, “Hat, sunscreen, shade. Now we’re ready to play.”
The aim is not to make children anxious about the sun. It is to help them understand that caring for their body is a normal part of outdoor fun.
When children hear the same message often, they begin to own it. They remind adults about hats. They ask for sunscreen. They notice shade. These are the kinds of habits that can last well beyond the childcare years.
Summer at The Ridge
Summer at The Ridge means water play, gardening, bug hunts, digging, climbing and long afternoons under the trees. It means children noticing cicadas, watering herbs, making leaf soup and finding cool patches of shade after a busy run.
It also means steady routines that protect young skin.
Sun Safe Kids How Childcare Protects Little Ones Outdoors This Summer is more than a seasonal topic for us. It is part of daily care, because outdoor play and sun protection belong together.
With the right habits in place, children do not miss out on summer. They enjoy it more safely.
If you are looking for sun smart childcare in Barden Ridge with a big outdoor space to explore, we would love to show you around. The best summer memories are made outside, with hats on, sunscreen applied, water bottles close and shade ready when little bodies need a rest.
