Sun protection policy

Last reviewed: 8 November 2026. Legal requirements checked against regulations 114 and 168 of the Education and Care Services National Regulations; sun protection practice checked against Cancer Council SunSmart early childhood guidance (sample policy, Cancer Council SA policy guidance), on 8 November 2026.

Quick answer

The National Regulations require a sun protection policy (regulation 168(2)(a)(ii)) and adequate shade in outdoor spaces to protect children from overexposure to UV (regulation 114). Cancer Council’s SunSmart early childhood guidance, which most services follow, is to use a combination of shade, sun-protective hats and clothing, and sunscreen whenever the UV Index is 3 or above, and to keep babies under 12 months out of direct sun at those levels. Daily sun protection times come from the Bureau of Meteorology or the SunSmart app.

What the Regulations require, what a SunSmart-aligned policy covers, how sun protection times work, and the gaps assessors often find.

What the Regulations require

Regulation 168(2)(a)(ii): policies and procedures on health and safety, including sun protection.
Regulation 114: outdoor spaces at a centre-based service must include adequate shaded areas to protect children from overexposure to ultraviolet radiation.
Regulation 78: children must have access to safe drinking water at all times, which matters on hot days. See the nutrition and food policy.

The Regulations do not set UV levels or prescribe hats or sunscreen; those details come from the service’s policy, usually based on Cancer Council guidance.

When sun protection applies

Cancer Council recommends a combination of sun protection measures whenever the UV Index is 3 or above.
Check the daily sun protection times (when UV is forecast to reach 3 or above) on the Bureau of Meteorology website or the SunSmart app.
UV seasons differ by state. In South Australia, for example, Cancer Council SA recommends applying the policy from 1 August to 30 April and whenever UV is 3 or above at other times. In northern Australia, UV is usually 3 or above all year.

What the policy should cover

Measure	Typical SunSmart practice
Shade	Plan outdoor play in shade, check shade over sandpits and play equipment, and use portable shade where needed
Hats	Hats that protect the face, neck and ears (broad-brim, bucket or legionnaire), with a “no hat, play in the shade” approach
Clothing	Sun-protective clothing covering as much skin as possible, such as tops with collars and sleeves
Sunscreen	Broad-spectrum, water-resistant SPF 30 or higher, applied before going outside and reapplied every 2 hours; parental permission and any sensitivities recorded
Babies under 12 months	Kept out of direct sun when UV is 3 or above, using shade, clothing and hats
Staff role modelling	Educators follow the same measures, which also supports work health and safety duties
Program	Sun safety is part of the educational program and shared with families

Services can join Cancer Council’s SunSmart early childhood program, which reviews the policy against its criteria.

Common gaps

The policy names a UV level but no one checks the daily sun protection times.
Shade that does not cover play areas at the times children use them.
No record of parental permission for sunscreen, or of a child’s sensitivity.
Excursions and vacation care outings not planned with sun protection in mind. See the excursion policy.

Frequently asked questions

Is a sun protection policy required in childcare?

Yes. Regulation 168(2)(a)(ii) requires policies and procedures on sun protection, and regulation 114 requires adequate shade in outdoor spaces at centre-based services.

At what UV level is sun protection needed in childcare?

Cancer Council's SunSmart guidance, which most services follow, is to use a combination of sun protection measures whenever the UV Index is 3 or above.

Can childcare put sunscreen on babies?

Cancer Council recommends keeping babies under 12 months out of direct sun when the UV Index is 3 or above, using shade, clothing and hats. Services should follow their policy and family preferences for sunscreen on small areas of exposed skin.

Which regulation covers shade in childcare?

Regulation 114: outdoor spaces at a centre-based service must include adequate shaded areas to protect children from overexposure to ultraviolet radiation.

Ask the question in your own words

WIDEN Law answers National Quality Framework questions with inline citations to the National Law, the Regulations and the NQS, so you can check the source provision yourself.

14-day free trial, no card →

This page is a research summary, not legal or compliance advice. It is written in our own words from the sources linked on the page; confirm the position with your regulatory authority before relying on it for a compliance decision.