I visited a couple of primary schools yesterday and I was surprised at how the kids are allowed to just play outdoors wearing shorts and short sleeved shirts at 1130AM (when UV is at its harshest).

I understand that a hat is required but that only helps shade the face. wouldnt it be better if they were allowed to wear long sleeves shirts, is there an option for parents to do this?

Dont people here learn? with all the constant medical advice saying NOT to expose yourself? I have seen the skin of the older ozzies, those in their 50-60s and it is TERRIBLE! aside from melanoma it looks like their arms were slow roasted! all wrinkled, damaged, with black spots etc...

Ok so their generation clearly did not know any better....but this generation supposedly knows better.

Are parents allowed to choose a pants or long sleeves version of the school uniform?

Nobody would object at my son's school, but I guess it might vary from place to place. Most of the parents we know apply SPF30+ before they go in in the morning.

Interesting article on the subject of UV during the winter months, here.

My kids school have shorts and crew neck t-shirts and wide brimmed hat, they apply factor 30+ before they get dressed as part of their daily routine...

They sit in a shaded area to eat lunch, and are encouraged to seek shade whilst playing outdoors.

If they go out for sport the PE teacher had a big botle of sunscreen that they all put on.

If they forget their hats they dont get to play!!!!

There are long shirts(winter uniform) available but in the heat here in the summer they would not be practicle the kids would roast in them.

My kids also have bottles of sunscreen in their bags.....and if they want to go and play soccer after lunch then they put more on.

Same with the sunscreen - loads on all the time, eat in the shade, not allowed out without hat etc. What was daft though was the Anzac service on Tuesday, the littlies were in the shade, biggies (grades 3 - 7) in the sun and because of protocol were not allowed to wear their hats ONLY one kid fainted - whoopy do!

I am concerned as from talking to local mums it seems that in our area the little kids, kindy/prep school age ish do not have sun screen reapplied during the day. Apparently the teachers are concerned they might have sensitive skin to the sun lotion seems a poor excuse. If you put sun screen on before school it should be reapplied before lunch time sun. I wouldn't mind sending him to school with sun lotion in his bag if the teacher would reapply it. I guess it is something I will have to discuss with the kindy teacher before he starts there.

My 4 year old applies her own. She only has to do lower arms, lower legs and her face. I got a roll on for her so its easier to apply.

teachers are not allowed to put sunscreen on the kids....too much contact and all that bollox

I kind of thought that as well when I was typing it. Sad world we live in.

I am not sure what age little uns can apply suntan lotion to themselves. I guess a rollerball one would be easiest for them.

From experience, little one's have absolutely no problem smearing all sorts of stuff all over themselves. Just tell yours that they are not allowed to do it

Broad brimmed hat is required in many primary schools, not all, but when we looked high schools one state schools only offereing was a cap, if they wanted to wear broad brimmed they had to have a permission slip

Dont mess about with the sun, teach them to use block out before the uniform, do backs and everything if they ride will be covered in moles through the shirt in no time otherwise. And re-apply by lunchtime, as you say worst part of the day and out they go, often followed by sports so they can be out there for almost 2 hours, they must re do the sunblock cause its worn off by then.

Our youngest ( now aged 9) had a skin cancer removed right where the short sleeved shirt ends, so your point about long sleeves is very valid.

great replies.

somehow though I have a feeling my 5 year old will always forget to re apply her own sunblock though (the roll on is a good idea)....but mine will probably even forget the bottle is in her bag ....

too bad the summers are just so hot that you cant get away with wearing long sleeves all day....

sorry to hear that.....hope she does not get anymore.....

ya, i am now thinking of having beige-colored, long "sleeves-only" made, ones that you can take on and off without having to remove your shirt. (you slide it on to your lower arms like a tube with stretch garters and only your hands are exposed).....

the school better allow my kids to wear them...

Many workplaces now are enforcing not only long sleeve shirts but long pants too, not thin material either, thick dark navy. Sons employer has this rule and the only part of him you can see when he leaves for work is the hands and nose and chin. Sensible but by god its hot.

thats good, fortunately some employers are actually doing something about the hazards...

i just really worry for our kids given their really sensitive skin (which WILL be scarred for life unless necessary precautions are taken)...the amount of time they spend under the sun in school (deadly 10am-2pm sun at that) is frightening....

I never stand in the sun and never sunbake.

However, I am getting slack (in general) about doing outdoor jobs around the house in autumn/winter when I am fooled by a bit of cloud cover or cooling now in temps.

And my daughter takes off her hat and throws it on the floor.

Go to the bottom of the class Badge.