At Killarney Vale Preschool on the Central Coast, sun safety isn’t just a policy, it’s part of daily life. Since installing a solar-powered UV meter at the preschool in 2022, children have started taking charge of their own sun safety. The wider community benefits, too.
Prior to installing the UV meter, Killarney Vale preschool educators used to check UV levels on their devices to guide sun safety routines. It worked well, but the children couldn’t access the UV without help from staff. The team saw an opportunity to give the children more agency to better understand UV and take an active role in staying safe.
“We started to think … this is an important safety piece and learning opportunity for the children to have ownership over”, said Kelli Shackleton, a teacher at Killarney Vale Preschool.
Educators began to imagine a UV tool that children could use themselves. Something simple, visible, and part of their environment. After some research, they found a solar-powered UV meter that provides real-time information. It seemed perfect for their preschool and community.
After learning about the UV meter, the children helped choose the best place to install it. They decided on the front yard, as it’s close to the Scout Hall, sports fields, bike track, and main road. The meter’s double-sided display can be viewed from both inside the preschool and the street, helping children, educators, and passersby stay informed.
“It wasn’t just for us—it was for the greater community,” Kelli said.
With support from the preschool’s parent committee, the team applied for funding. Their child-focused and community-minded approach helped secure the grant and make the project happen.
Now, the UV meter is part of the preschool’s daily routine. Children check the UV level, and when it reaches 3 or above, they know it’s time to use sun protection, like putting on sunscreen and sunglasses, wearing sun-safe hats and clothing, and playing in the shade.
“It’s no longer something we have to remind them about,” said Kelli. “They just go and check it, then come back and tell their peers what needs to happen.”
Each year, educators teach new and returning preschoolers about UV through planned lessons. These lessons are repeated during the year to help children remember why sun protection matters, even when it’s cloudy or cold.
This sense of ownership over sun safety has spread beyond the preschool. Families say children talk about the UV level at home and remind everyone to stay safe in the sun.
The coastal community has embraced the UV meter as well. It’s become a familiar fixture, reminding people heading to the nearby beach, lake, sports fields, and cafes to use sun protection when the UV reaches 3 or above. Recently, when the meter was removed for recalibration, people noticed, and missed it.
“Everyone was asking where it had gone,” Kelli said. “That showed us just how much it was being used and valued.”
Killarney Vale Preschool shows how early learning settings can lead the way in keeping children and communities safe. By giving kids real responsibility, they are helping build lifelong healthy habits that go far beyond the playground.
Cancer Council NSW is proud to support services like Killarney Vale Preschool. Through our SunSmart program, we work with schools and early childhood education and care services to create sun safe environments and promote lifelong sun protection habits. Becoming a member is easy – join today for free.
Do you have a sun safety story to share? We’d love to hear how your childcare service or school is promoting sun safety. Whether it’s a creative idea or successful initiative — share your story with us at [email protected].
