Early childhood education and care professionals are well versed in promoting sun safe practices such as no hat no play, sun avoidance in the middle of the day and the use of high protection sun screen. In fact many of these policies have become so entrenched that some services may stick to them year round prompting SunSmart Victoria to send information to service providers on the importance of vitamin D.

Vitamin D is important for the development of healthy bones, muscles and general wellbeing and the best natural source of vitamin D is the sun's UV. To ensure children in care receive adequate doses of vitamin D, Victorian child care providers are being advised to put the sun hats and sun screen away over the months of May through to August when UV levels are low (below three).

SunSmart Victoria say that people should expose their face, hands, arms or another body part to midday winter sun for two-three hours per week and those with naturally dark skin may need three-six times that amount.

They also say that sun protection is not required at this time of the year unless you are in an area with highly reflective surfaces such as snow or if you are outside for extended periods or if the UV level reaches three or above.

SunSmart's tips to help the kids in your service gain safe sun exposure to boost vitamin D:

• Physical activity assists with production of vitamin D, so get the children outside and active in the middle of the day.
• Clothing acts as a barrier to vitamin D absorption so put away the hat and roll up the sleeves when you're outdoors.
• Upload SunSmart's UV Alert widget to your service's website to know the times when sun protection is or isn't required.
• Share the vitamin D message with families using SunSmart's vitamin D information sheets available in 12 different languages.
• Visit the SunSmart website where children can create a personalised vitamin D poster.

Please note that this information is location specific and changes according to the state/territory and in some instances the part of the state/territory your service is located. See the relevant link below for information about safe sun exposure and vitamin D in your area.

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