At our nursery, we treasure the unique opportunities our location affords us, nestled as we are near a vibrant town centre and surrounded by the natural beauty of a forest. As the days grow longer and the sun begins to shine brighter, we are thrilled to announce our policy focus for the month of May: โTrips & Outingsโ and โHot Weather Safetyโ.
We believe in the educational power of exploration and experience. Our proximity to the town centre allows us to plan visits to local emergency services, where children can learn about the roles of firefighters, police officers, and medical professionals firsthand. These visits not only educate but also inspire our young learners by introducing them to real-life heroes.
As a forest school, we regularly immerse our children in nature, fostering environmental awareness and appreciation from an early age. For larger expeditions, such as trips to farms and sea life centres, we encourage parental involvement. These outings are not only fun but are designed to strengthen our community by involving families in the learning process.
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With our many years of consecutive sun safe accreditation, we remain committed to protecting our children from the harmful effects of the sun. Young skin is especially vulnerable and requires diligent care to prevent long-term damage.
Here are some top tips we follow and recommend to ensure all children can safely enjoy the sun:
โ๏ธSeek Shade: Always keep babies in complete shade. Use umbrellas, trees, or stay indoors during peak sun hours.
โ๏ธCover Up: Dress children in loose-fitting, cotton clothing with a close weave. Avoid vests or sundresses for extended outdoor activities.
โ๏ธHead and Shoulders Protection: opt for wide-brimmed hats to protect the head, shoulders, and neck. Donโt forget bucket or surfie style hats for thorough coverage.
โ๏ธHigh-Quality Sunscreen: Use broad-spectrum sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 30. Apply it generously before going outdoors and reapply frequently, especially after swimming or sweating.
โ๏ธEye Protection: Invest in good quality, wraparound sunglasses to protect childrenโs eyes from UV rays.
Incorporating Sun Safety at Scallywags
Our commitment extends beyond the nursery. We encourage parents to ensure their children bring hats to nursery and apply sunscreen before coming in which we will top up through the day.
We set an example for our children by practicing sun safety ourselves. Itโs important that adults demonstrate good sun protection behaviours, as children are more likely to follow suit when they see their caregivers taking sun safety seriously.
This May, as we focus on โTrips & Outingsโ and โHot Weatherโ policies, we recommit ourselves to ensuring that our children enjoy our local community and the sunny days safely and responsibly. Remember our catchy sun safety slogan: โSlip, Slop, Slap โ Slip on a shirt, Slop on sunscreen, and Slap on a hatโ. Letโs make this summer a safe and adventurous one for our children!
Blog written by Demi Eastment
