At Happy Days Nurseries, we know that outdoor play is a vital part of children’s learning and wellbeing, but it’s just as important to ensure that children are protected from the sun while they explore and play.
That’s why we’re proud to be working in partnership with SKCIN, the UK’s leading skin cancer awareness charity, to promote vital sun safety education across our nurseries, families and wider communities.
Why Sun Safety Matters from the Start
Skin cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in the UK, and over-exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation is the direct cause of around 90% of cases. Research shows that most lifetime UV exposure occurs before the age of 18, making early years education a critical time for building lifelong protective habits.
Even one blistering sunburn in childhood or adolescence can more than double the risk of developing melanoma (the most serious form of skin cancer) later in life. The good news is that around 90% of all skin cancers are preventable simply by adopting effective sun-safe behaviours from a young age.
Building Healthy Habits for Life
Through our partnership with SKCIN and their Sun Safe Nurseries accreditation, our nurseries are helping children learn simple but powerful sun safety habits, such as:
☀️ Slip on protective clothing
☀️ Slop on sunscreen
☀️ Slap on a wide-brimmed hat
☀️ Slide on sunglasses
☀️ Shade from the sun, especially between 11am–3pm
These “Five S’s” help to embed awareness and independence in children, showing them how to look after themselves in a fun and age-appropriate way.
We also work closely with parents and carers to reinforce these messages at home, because consistent habits, both at nursery and beyond, are what make the difference.
A Shared Commitment to Prevention
“We’re delighted to be working in partnership with Happy Days Nurseries to promote vital sun safety awareness among children, staff, and families. At SKCIN, our mission is to prevent skin cancer through education, and collaborations like this are key to reaching communities where early habits are formed. By embedding sun safe practices within nursery life, we can help children understand the importance of protecting their skin from a young age, knowledge that will stay with them for life. It’s inspiring to see Happy Days taking such a proactive approach and setting a fantastic example for the early years sector.”
~ Marie Tudor, CEO of SKCIN
At Happy Days, we take pride in ensuring that sun safety is a central part of our quality standards and wellbeing programmes across all nurseries.
“Sun safety is a critical focus for us at Happy Days Nurseries as we know that children’s delicate skin is highly susceptible to sun damage, with most lifetime UV exposure happening before age 18, which increases the future skin cancer risk. We use SKCIN and its Sun Safe Nursery accreditation to assist us in educating children by empowering them with the knowledge of how to keep safe whilst in the sun. We also work with parents and carers to reinforce safe habits whilst outside.”
~ Alex Venter, Quality Lead Manager, Happy Days Nurseries
Together with SKCIN, we’re shining a light on the importance of early education in protecting children’s health, today and for the future.
🔗 Learn more about SKCIN and their Sun Safe Nursery accreditation here: https://www.skcin.org/