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| Shade for childcare centres and preschools | |||
| Shade Planning
+ Design Planning + design checklist ShadeAudit Creating shade Selecting your shade system Natural shade Built shade Combining natural + built Climate and comfort Climate-sensitive shade design Cool shade Warm shade ShadeCalendar Shade for specific sites Schools Childcare & preschools The home The street Beaches Outdoor restaurants Parks and reserves Sportsgrounds Swimming pools |
Shade
for childcare centres and preschools - The need for shade - A Shade Audit General considerations Specific recommendations Useful links for childcare centres and preschools This section provides setting-specific information for the planning of 'sun safe' outdoor areas at early years services including childcare facilities and pre-schools. The need for shadeAlthough our senses can easily detect sunlight and infrared radiation (heat), they cannot detect the level of ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun. UV radiation can't be seen or felt and can be damaging to our skin on cool, cloudy days and also hot, sunny ones.Australia has the highest rate of skin cancer in the world with one in two people developing some form of skin cancer during their lifetime. Sun exposure in the first 15 years of life contributes significantly to the lifetime risk of skin cancer. Too much exposure to UV radiation can cause sunburn, skin damage and skin cancer. The good news is most skin cancer can be prevented. To make sure children are well protected from the sun, use a combination of these 5 sun protection measures.
It is now commonplace for childcare centres and preschools to have comprehensive sun protection policies. Effective shade is an important part of a comprehensive sun protection policy. For more information on developing a sun protection policy or becoming a SunSmart service, contact the Cancer Council in your state / territory. Increasingly, licensing regulations require childcare centres and preschools to provide 'adequate shade' in their outdoor areas. A Shade AuditThe way to know whether your outdoor spaces are appropriately managed and include 'adequate shade' is to complete a Shade Audit. This shows when and where shade falls over certain areas and how the outdoor areas are used. When the existing usage pattern and risks are understood, it is possible to develop economical and effective shade solutions that meet your needs and reduce existing risks.The person(s) completing the Shade Audit should include, or have access to, representatives from management, staff and possibly parents / carers. Involvement of all stakeholders will help ensure that potential shade solutions are considered within the context of other issues and requirements of the service, and that achievable solutions are developed. One of the key ingredients of a successful school shade project is a Shade Audit which shows how your school’s outdoor areas are used, the types of activities that occur and the skin cancer risk associated with those activities.
The following information is available if you have a registered version of WebShade. Register for WebShade General considerations- Optimise the use of existing shade- Direct and indirect UV radiation - Safety - Supervision - Child-friendly design - Aesthetics Specific recommendations- Open areas- Quiet areas - Active areas - Fixed play equipment areas - Transition zones - Baby/toddler areas Useful links for childcare centres & preschools |
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