Because the skin of young children is very vulnerable to the sun’s rays, we need to work together as a team to protect them from harmful burns. In fact, most skin damage takes place before the age of 18. Then sun damage caused to the skin during childhood is cumulative and irreversible. Furthermore, one person out of seven is likely to develop skin cancer during his/her life. The main cause is overexposure to the sun’s ultraviolet rays (Mission UV Educational Program).

Bon Accord Montessori has chosen to use Ombrelle, the #1 recommended sun protection brand by Canadian Dermatologists and Pharmacists – Mission UV Educational Program. To cover the expense and to eliminate having 27 different brands (the staff would have to wash their hands after each application), we ask that each child contributes $21.00 towards our “sunscreen fund”. Parents will then be asked to fill out and sign the permission letter below if you would like to participate. All sunscreens will be applied at 8:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. daily. We also ask that each child bring a sun hat to protect them from heatstroke also.

Bon Accord Montessori has purchased sun hats for each child also as sometimes hats are forgotten at home. The hats will be labeled with each child’s name; however, these hats must stay at the daycare in your child’s bin. This will be included in the sunscreen fee.

It is our parents’ choice whether they would like to participate in this Sunscreen Policy. However, they must ensure that their child(ren) have some form sunscreen protection while participating in outdoor activities at Bon Accord Montessori. Bon Accord Montessori will not be held responsible if the sunscreen provided by parents is not effective. It is the parent’s responsibility to be knowledgeable and research the product they are providing for their child(ren). Protection from mosquitoes is also very important. However, because the peak time for exposure is “dawn and dusk”, we choose not to apply mosquito repellent as overexposure can be very harmful to children. Only if a child has a severe allergy and we have written consent from the parent, will we apply repellent.