At Seedlings Preschool (Edgecumbe), we joined Building Blocks in February 2018. When we completed our Fun in the Sun Block, we used the Cancer Society example policy to review our existing SunSmart policy. Two main areas we improved were to ensure sunscreen was at least SPF30+ and extending our SunSmart practices to include all of Term Four and Term One (October to April).

Centre Leader Sharon Bakker says; “As we investigated our SunSmart practices we noticed that some kaiako and whanau had a casual approach. Some of the challenges we encountered were that some children were only provided caps instead of wide-brimmed hats, many staff and tamariki were wearing singlets that exposed shoulders to the sun, and sunblock was not being applied to children’s legs”. 

To raise awareness, our kaiako were encouraged to complete the online SunSmart module. Posters and flyers were also ordered from the Cancer Society and displayed and provided to our staff and whānau to promote the SunSmart messages: Slip, Slop, Slap and Wrap.

Our Preschool also sourced bulk wide-brimmed hats that parents could order with names printed on them for only $10. Many of our parents took up the opportunity to purchase hats and thought it was a ‘brilliant’ idea. Overall, our kaiako have become more passionate about exploring ideas and sharing these with others who are realizing how important it is to protect our tamariki from the sun. They are excited that raising awareness had helped to shift attitudes.

We think it is a great example of how increasing knowledge and raising awareness has seen a shift in attitudes and behaviours. Incorporating our new practices and expectations into policies has helped to create positive changes in our organisation. We were also excited to see whānau get actively involved by supporting our hat initiative, which has created a positive community culture around wearing hats.