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Call 13 11 20 for information and support

SunSmart Schools & Early
Childhood Program

Cancer Council’s SunSmart Schools and Early Childhood Program has been running in South Australia for more than 20 years, with more than 1,000 South Australian schools, OSHC services and early childhood centres currently recognised as SunSmart.

In the past year alone, the SunSmart Schools and Early Childhood Program has protected around 135,000 South Australian children and their educators from harmful UV radiation. 

Back view of person with two braids wearing a maroon wide-brim hat and white shirt, blurred garden. Back view of person with two braids wearing a maroon wide-brim hat and white shirt, blurred garden.
Become recognised as SunSmart

The earlier children start protecting their skin, the greater their chance of avoiding skin cancer later in life. Cancer Council SA’s SunSmart Schools and Early Childhood Program helps students to understand the link between UV and skin cancer and ultimately, educates them on how to reduce their future cancer risk.

Smiling child in a yellow shirt and wide-brim hat outdoors in a park looking at camera Smiling child in a yellow shirt and wide-brim hat outdoors in a park looking at camera
Early childhood centres

A SunSmart early childhood centre, preschool or kindergarten has policies and practices in place that reduce the risk of skin damage and skin cancer amongst children and educators. To achieve SunSmart recognition with Cancer Council SA, centres need to be implementing a sun protection policy during term 1, 3 and 4 (or from 1 August through to 30 April), or whenever the UV is 3 and above.

Group of schoolchildren in navy uniforms and bucket hats sit on logs beside a SunSmart sign. Group of schoolchildren in navy uniforms and bucket hats sit on logs beside a SunSmart sign.
Schools

A SunSmart school has policy and practices in place that reduce the risk of skin damage and skin cancer amongst students and staff. To achieve SunSmart recognition with Cancer Council SA, schools need to be implementing a sun protection policy during terms 1, 3 and 4 (or from 1 August through to 30 April) and when the UV is 3 and above at other times.

Two children in navy polo shirts and pink hats cheer with arms up; adult in dark hoodie nearby. Two children in navy polo shirts and pink hats cheer with arms up; adult in dark hoodie nearby.
OSHC services

A SunSmart OSHC (out of school hours care) and vacation care service has policy and practices in place that reduce the risk of skin damage and skin cancer amongst children and educators. To achieve SunSmart recognition with Cancer Council SA, OSHC services need to be implementing a sun protection policy for: Before school care: Sun protection is not required, as the UV index is rarely 3 and above at this time. After school care: Sun protection is required during terms 1 and 4, and whenever the UV is 3 and above at other times. Staff are encouraged to access the daily local sun protection times to determine if sun protection measures are required during terms 2 and 3. Vacation care: Sun protection is required for all outdoor activities from 1 August to 30 April and whenever the UV is 3 and above at other times.