Introduction: The Generation SunSmart online professional learning course is aimed at staff employed at Australian early childhood education and care (ECEC) and out of school hours care (OSHC) services. Developed by Cancer Council Western Australia in 2007, course content has been regularly reviewed and aims to support the sector in ensuring that Educators and Directors at ECEC and OSHC services address sun protection regulatory requirements of the Australian Children’s Education & Care Quality Authority (ACECQA). Course content includes skin cancer risk factors, ultraviolet (UV) radiation, sun protection strategies and application to the SunSmart Services accreditation program. Users average 30 minutes to complete the course with approximately 10,000 course completions annually.
Methods: Course users complete a short pre- and post- survey to indicate knowledge, behaviour and attitudes in regard to sun protection. Survey data will be collated and analysed over a 12-week period in 2024 with approximately 1000 responses expected.
Results: Preliminary analysis shows that staff in the ECEC and OSHC sector have high levels of understanding of the UV Index and sun protection practices but may lack proper understanding of the implementation of policy.
Conclusion: The Generation SunSmart professional learning course is an important and well-used resource to support sun protection practices and policy for staff employed within the ECEC and OSHC sector. The regulatory requirement of sun protection practices could be associated with high levels of knowledge of skin cancer prevention measures aimed at young children.