AROHA EARLY LEARNING CENTRE
Date- 01.04.10
WEATHER SAFE POLICY
Rationale:
To ensure safety in the outdoors for all children/tamariki while attending the AROHA EARLY LEARNING CENTRE:
Practices:
v Children will be encouraged to stay in the shaded areas during the hottest part of the day- (at the discretion of the teaching staff)
v We encourage you to put sunscreen on your child before coming to the centre, there will be an identification practice to show when sunscreen has been applied and teaching staff will apply further sunscreen during the day,
v Parents of children with sensitive skin will need to supply their own sunscreen and to inform teaching staff (the white board above the bathroom mirror may be used),
v The Centre will supply named sunhats (summer)/beanies (winter) for the children,
v Hats will be washed at the end of seasons,
v Children require vitamin D, particularly here in the South there has been research pointing towards vitamin D deficiency, so we as Centre teaching staff value the sunshine for the provision of vitamin D; therefore, there will be days where sunhats will not be worn, on these days it will be agreed in consultation that the sun is not of a burn potential,
v Children will not be allowed to play outside without hats when it is agreed that there is burning potential, or that the weather is too cold; they are choosing to play indoors if they do not wear a sunhat (summer)/beanie (winter); children will be reminded with: “kia mau i tou potae” “Put on your hat”
v Sun safe practices, and winter (cold) safe practices will be modelled by adults,
v Families will be expected to provide appropriate footwear and clothing for all weather conditions e.g. jersey and coat for cold, light cover-up clothing for hot.
v Children will be choosing to stay indoors if not dressed appropriately.