Sunscreen

[momofboys]

How does everyone handle this? I have no problem putting it on the kids; however, it does get pricey! In the past few weeks I have asked one DCF to supply me with some sunscreen & when they did it was baby lotion (that they obviously hadn't used for years plus it was expired by 3 years!!!!:. I usually buy spray for my own kids but having to put it on 4-5 additional kids you go through it VERY quick plus TBH I don't have time to apply lotion to 5-6 kids, that would likely take 30 min or more to do it properly so I use spray. So this past week I reminded DCF that we would be going on some field trips & as we would be outside for at least 3-4 hrs I really needed sunscreen too. They did not bring it. I asked DCB if they had forgotten & he said "when we went on vacation we ran out & mom said it was too expensive to buy more:confused::confused::confused: so we got burnt". The "funny" part is she is a nurse so she should know better. So do you give them another chance to bring some or let them know if they don't you will charge them an extra fee? I know it is pricey but I shouldn't have to shoulder the extra expense myself. What does everyone do?

[DaisyMamma]

I require continous spray suncreen. Last year I let families bring their own. This was a pain, labeling and carying around 6 bottles. This year I'm buying it by the case and everyone has to chip in, which is in my policies. No one complains. We are at the lake several hours a day. An average 5 year old kid uses about 1 bottle a week when we go everyday. There is no way I would supply $30/week in sunscreen.

[Meyou]

I require one bottle for each child by May 1st. It has to be SPF 30 or 45 and waterproof. I ask for more if I run out before the summer is over. If they don't bring it by May 1st they owe me $10 at the next time they pay.

[momofboys]

I require continous spray suncreen. Last year I let families bring their own. This was a pain, labeling and carying around 6 bottles. This year I'm buying it by the case and everyone has to chip in, which is in my policies. No one complains. We are at the lake several hours a day. An average 5 year old kid uses about 1 bottle a week when we go everyday. There is no way I would supply $30/week in sunscreen.

Yes, $30/week is a big expense!!!! I don't think mine would be that high but I would definitely go through at least one bottle of spray with my own kids each week, probably more like 1.5 (not to mention what the DCK would use). I think the problem is I am too nice & say we can use mine - well then my supply for my own kids dwindles (I usually buy a bunch at the end of the summer season when I can get the spray bottles of SPF 50 for $3 on clearance)! I will be sure to let my DCF (I only have 2 families) that they need to supply their own spray bottle & I will let them know when they need to replace it. If they don't supply one I will buy it & they will need to reimburse me.

[Country Kids]

I put out a newsletter reminding everyone to put it on before they come to childcare! I will only reapply it if we do waterplay or something that willmake it come off.

I am thinking though of buying some and just writing it off on my taxes as an expense. I will not buy individual kinds though for everyone. Its will be all the same. Trying to have 6+ to keep track of, and aply to everyone gets to be to, to time consuming.

[JenNJ]

If a family fails to supply it, their child has to sit in the shade when we go outside. The parents know this. I put the babies on a blanket on the covered porch and any child without sunscreen must join them.

[WImom]

Everyone has to donate one bottle every spring. I just use one bottle at a time. If someone needs a special kind then I would accomadate that child. That gives me 8 bottles. I also ask that everyone apply sunscreen before leaving the house so I only apply it once a day. the 8 bottles will last awhile and then I'll buy the rest as an expense that I write off.

Last year I had one bottle labeled for each child and it was a pain.

[sharlan]

I've always had every parent provide me with 2 bottles per child at the beginning of summer. I use up one bottle at a time. Every child having their own is too much of a hassle.

[Blackcat31]

I do NOT buy sunscreen for DCK's.

All my parents are required to supply their own child with sunscreen. They are also required to apply the first layer themselves before drop off.

I require them to buy continuous spray and don't care what brand as long as it doesn't require me ot have to rub it in.

I label the bottles and keep them in each child's basket/cubby. I apply whenever we go outside and again when needed.

I have done it this way forever and have never had an issue and have never had a parent complain either.

[itlw8]

We have lots of shade so I make the kids play in the shady areas when the concrete is full sun.

Sensitive kids come with lotion on in the morning.

In Missouri we are not allowed to use the spray as it can get in the lungs.Plus we have to also have a permission slip like medication but we can get a waiver approved for the summer. Parents are supposed to supply their own. or approve my brand.

[KDC]

I was told by my licensor that we were required to treat sunscreen as a 'medicine', to which we needed to have it provided, labeled & it needed to come with a note as to how much & when it's applied. He said they had too many calls in for kids having sunburn or allergic reactions to certain sunscreen brands, and the liability falling on the provider. This was to make the lines more clear. All families are required to provide me with sunscreen... never made it specific to spray formula, but that's a GREAT idea!! College bathroom caddy will hold them all and I'm ready to go =)

[renodeb]

Sunscreen is very expensive. I ask for a bottle initially when they enroll. Then it becomes community property. ( I always make sure there are no weird allergies to any sunscreens at the start) My own son was allergic to the baby sun screen so I learned to ask. I go on a lot of field trips so I have gotten quite fast at applying it and all these kids are used to it. I usually buy the walmart brand for my own kids, or banana boat. I try and buy the two packs when there available. I have found that the spray gets used up to fast. Having the parents pitch in is a great idea.
Debbie

[karen]

:: Try putting sunscreen on 30+ toddlers and changing diapers oh boy talk about fun!!!!!! Sunscreen was applied twice a day. First thing in the morning and right after nap.
I require the parents to bring in sunscreen and will apply it twice daily. I also remind them to check the expiration date because I will not put expired sunscreen on children. They look at me funny and say SUNSCREEN EXPIRES REALLY? One of my all time favorite responses!!!!happyface

[DCMom]

Like wipes, I have a sunscreen preference. Rather 'demand' that the parents bring that specific kind, I ask for $20/child by June 1 for the 'Sunscreen Fund'. Works out to be about 2 cans per kid. That way I always have the kind I want, when I want it and I never run out for anyone. That number has usually worked out pretty well, leaving me a couple of cans to start off this summer. Like today when it was 90 degrees!

The other thing I like about it is I don't have to keep 16 cans/bottles of sunscreen around. I hate clutter

[jenn]

I treat it like a medicine. If you want your child to have it, you provide it, label it with their name, and fill out a form saying that I can apply it as necessary. That way, the liability of not having it on & getting a sunburn, allergic reaction to the brand, not strong enough/too strong(SPF)... is on the parent and not on me. I ask them to apply the first coat at home, and I will reapply for afternoon activities.