sunscreen at daycare? grrrr...

Buffy2010 · March 2012

I am used to NY state where the laws for sunscreen are really strict. It doesn't matter the season or even the weather, kids wear sunscreen every day and it is applied twice, morning and afternoon. Now I am in PA and twice this week I found my 3 year old on the playground in 70F sunny weather without sunscreen. I talked to his teacher yesterday and told her I wanted them to put sunscreen on my child every day they went outside. Today... no sunscreen. I'm angry. Am I over-reacting?

I am a pale Canadian, my 3 year old is equally pale. I've had two immediate family members with melanoma, one who died of it. The teachers seem to be mocking me a little like I am being a little ridiculous about the sunscreen. I'd love to hear your opinions before I call the director.

AZ123 · March 2012

In my state the teachers can no longer apply sunscreen because it is deemed a medicine and so I have to get a note from the doctor! I put sunscreen on DS1 in the morning and have him wear a hat. Maybe send him to school with a spray on sunscreen so at least he gets something. Or tell your 3 year old to tell them he needs sunscreen.

hero · March 2012

AZ123:
In my state the teachers can no longer apply sunscreen because it is deemed a medicine and so I have to get a note from the doctor! I put sunscreen on DS1 in the morning and have him wear a hat. Maybe send him to school with a spray on sunscreen so at least he gets something. Or tell your 3 year old to tell them he needs sunscreen.

I know CA treats any otc medicine, including sunscreen and diaper creams, like a prescription drug and it needs to be accompanied with a note by a Dr. I think OR has a similar law.

WBMom · March 2012

I don't think you are overreacting. I have pale skin and burn super easy and both my daughters have the same pale skin. I don't want them to be sunburned. Our DC does apply sunscreen but we have to supply it and complete a medical card for it. (This part I do not understand) I do apply it to her before we leave for school and I have not experienced any issues having them apply it. I would bring it up to the director.

madhatter2003 · March 2012

In VA we had to fill in the OTC medical info form and leave it with the bottle.

here in NV they just apply it twice a day to everyone, they buy enormous bottles and just use the same for the entire class (it's california baby, which is the same one I use). We pay a $10 fee at the start of summer for the supplies for both kids.

preggersin2011 · March 2012

I had to sign a consent form. If your wishes aren't being followed then speak up. You are paying them, its a simple employee to employer relationship. Can you put it on in the morning before you go to DC?

dizzycooks · March 2012

How about if you send a spray bottle of sunscreen? It's quick and not at all messy for them to apply. I would consider getting a doctor's note saying he has to wear it as well.

mommabear7182 · March 2012

I don't think you're overreacting at all. I would have said something to the teacher.

melissa816 · March 2012

I am a daycare center teacher in WI- our typical policy is that we do sunscreen in the warmer months- that's when we ask parents for it. But if a parent brought sunscreen in during the middle of winter and asked for it, we would put it on before going outside. Especially with the family history! For us, sunscreen just needs a consent form similar to medications but does not require a doctor's note (unless there's restrictions on the bottle, such as 'under 6 months ask a doctor', but then the doctor sends a note & it's not a big deal.)

I would be upset if I were you.

HarmsMomma · March 2012

I have no idea about the specifics, but I don't think you're over reacting and I'd be upset too. I hope it gets worked out!

MammaBear81 · March 2012

I don't think you are overreacting. My kids and I are pale and Irish (see siggy!) and I put sunscreen on them if they are going to be outside for more than 20 minutes. Not just going to the park, I did it when we went pumpkin picking, picked out our Christmas tree, etc... My oldest has been burned before (not bad) but he was miserable for days, I'd never want that to happen again. I wouldn't know a good way to approach the director with out sounding crazy (because I know what I typed above sounds like I'm crazy)

FortMyersBride · March 2012

Not overreacting. I have spray on sunblock for DS at school and a note on his medical form stating that he must be wearing sunscreen if they go outside at PS. There's also a letter from his dermatologist, but only for extra emphasis as he has a precancerous birthmark on his leg. They don't need the letter to apply it, but I wanted to make sure they realized how serious it was.

pitterpatter129 · March 2012

Our daycare and public school system (which I work for) also treat creams/lotions/sunscreen like medications. Students have had terrible allergic reactions is why. I, personally, am allergic to most suncreen, but am pale as pale can be. There are only a few brands I use.

If you send it and request it though, then they should be using it daily. I would put a layer on in the morning just as "back-up". I know in my state if you have a doctor's note for anything (we have one saying we can bring whole milk), then they have to follow it no matter what.

katlizabeth · March 2012

You are not overreacting. I am a pale woman and ds has white-blond hair. I have to fill out an OTC medical form for him to get it put on at daycare, but I instruct how often they do it and where. I wrote "on all exposed skin, before going outside each time" or something like that.

erbear · March 2012

A couple of things:

1. It's March in PA. Your child is not likely to get sunburned right now.

2. Put on sunscreen in the morning.

3. Send a hat.

in the summertime, my daycare re-applies in the afternoon but I would never expect them to do it now. In Pa. In March.

Buffy2010 · March 2012

I did apply sunscreen in the morning and I have already signed the consent forms. I offered to bring in my own sunscreen but the daycare provides it so it isn't necessary. I am surprised it isn't a policy to apply sunscreen in non-summer months. I am going to try Talking to the teachers one more time and hope they respect my wishes before I talk to the director. I am really shocked at how laws differ state to state.

It might be March in PA but this weather is unusual and the kids are outside more than 20 minutes at a time.

Angela814 · March 2012

I've never even thought about sending in sunscreen to daycare in the spring. Typically we're asked to bring it in the summer and fill out a medical form to have it applied before the kids go outside. I've never had reason to question if it's being applied or not, since neither DD has come home sunburned.

I don't think you're overreacting. If you filled out the forms and specified that it be applied, then they should be following your requests. I'd say it's the same as asking that diaper cream be applied at every diaper change. It might not be necessary, but if that's what the parent wants, then that's what DCP needs to do.

Daisy22 · March 2012

If you filled out the forms and requested it then ya I'd be upset.

I'm in GA and we're already in the 80s so I apply it in the mornings then get them to reapply after nap time. But our playground areas are extremely shady so I'm not as worried.

Ms5586 · March 2012

erbear:

A couple of things:

1. It's March in PA. Your child is not likely to get sunburned right now.

Hmm It may be March, but it's a very mild March. If they are outside for an extended amount of time, there's nothing wrong with sunscreen. FWIW, I got burned if it was sunny outside during the winter. If it's a 70 degree, sunny day outside, sunscreen should be applied, at least to face/neck/ears.

seahorse102410 · March 2012

It's nice for the daycare to apply it to the children but I still think you should do it yourself. At least get a good layer on them in the morning.

MammaBear81 · March 2012

Ms5586:
erbear:

A couple of things:

1. It's March in PA. Your child is not likely to get sunburned right now.

It may be March, but it's a very mild March. If they are outside for an extended amount of time, there's nothing wrong with sunscreen. FWIW, I got burned if it was sunny outside during the winter. If it's a 70 degree, sunny day outside, sunscreen should be applied, at least to face/neck/ears.

ITA with this- pale people burn when exposed to the sun, end of story.

mplesset23 · March 2012

Our daycare wrote on his daily sheet to put some on him in the morning. I was going to bring some in for him to use, but now I guess I'll make sure they can do it. Isn't sunscreen supposed to be reapplied throughout the day anyways? My LO is pretty pale.

He also hates having the sun in his eyes, so we send a hat with him each day, so that helps cover him a little bit.

I'm pretty shocked that they would consider this to be the equivalent to medication.

mplesset23 · March 2012

amy052006:
erbear:

A couple of things:

1. It's March in PA. Your child is not likely to get sunburned right now.

2. Put on sunscreen in the morning.

3. Send a hat.

in the summertime, my daycare re-applies in the afternoon but I would never expect them to do it now. In Pa. In March.

Um, I live in PA, took my kid to the park this week, and got burnt on my face.

I would be beyond pissed about this -- exactly how many time do you need to ask? That being said, I would be sending him in pre-sunblocked, but absolutely would be expecting them to re-apply it.

FYI - My mom worked for a dermatologuist for years...You can burn anytime. You can burn through blue jeans, during a bright cloudy day, etc. Don't think just, because it's not 90 degrees and sunny you can't burn.

BTW, I live in Maryland and we were in the mid 80s yesterday.

anamandelli · March 2012

I used to work in a childcare center here in FL, and we used to put sunscreen on the children every time we went outside( 2 x a day). I don't know why the teachers are making a big deal. Talk to the director!

anamandelli · March 2012

erbear:
A couple of things:
1. It's March in PA. Your child is not likely to get sunburned right now.
2. Put on sunscreen in the morning.
3. Send a hat.
in the summertime, my daycare re-applies in the afternoon but I would never expect them to do it now. In Pa. In March.

Sorry, but the time of the year doesn't really matter. You can get sunburned even with snow (the snow reflects the sun). Doctors say you should put it on every time you go outside (adults,children,etc) to prevent skin cancer.

kmh2201 · March 2012

You're not overreacting at all, IMO. I think kids should also have hats on that shade their faces, ears, and neck. I am pale, and I just had a small basal cell carcinoma cancer removed from my arm in December. I am not a tanner or sun-worshipper. Three of my uncles (dad's side) have had skin cancer - one was melanoma. My DCP puts sunscreen on the kids before they go outside, and she also makes sure they have their hats on.

I don't take being out in the sun lightly anymore. We're getting a UPF-rated sun tent for when we go to the beach (which we usually wait until 3 or 4 pm when the UV rays are less intense), and the kids will also have UPF-rated swimsuits and DS will wear a rashguard.

laurakaz13 · March 2012

We're in NC and just needed to sign a permission slip to apply sunscreen and diaper cream. They do it everyday, but I apply it in the mornings as well just in case.

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