Thanks to a new Kiwi invention, the preschool will be able to measure the sun's UV levels in the playground with a research-grade scientific sensor.
The UVLens sensor can send real-time information directly to teachers' smartphones or tablets, a world-first sun-safety initiative.
The preschool is among the first 100 early childhood centres in the country to receive the technology, and head teacher Lyn Collins is praising the initiative.
''It takes all the guesswork out of playground sun safety.''
She said, in the past, all children had to put on hats and sunscreen when they played outside.
But the device provided instant access to information about UV levels, and if levels were low, it would lessen the need for protection, she said.
The preschool was one of several early childhood education centres in Dunedin which received the technology as part of a joint initiative by Banana Boat and Spark 64.
UVLens inventor Daniel Xu, of Spark 64, said the technology was developed to ensure a safer summer for the most active, yet vulnerable, members of New Zealand society - those aged 5 and under.
However, he said the innovation behind the sensor was about more than measuring UV levels.
It would shape the behaviour of the next generation of tech-savvy children.
The research-grade scientific sensors provided information about risk factors on cloudy days, alerts for sunscreen re-application, skin-type analysis questionnaires, and sun-smart tips to thousands of pupils and teachers, all in real time and deployed directly to smartphones and tablets complete with interactive education tools, he said.
''According to the Melanoma Foundation, six people are diagnosed with melanoma every day and sunburn in childhood can contribute towards the cumulative effect of sun exposure over a lifetime.
''This is a real problem for our next generation,'' Mr Xu said.
''Our goal is not just to measure UV levels and deliver information, but to truly reinforce sun-smart habits and education.''
Mrs Collins said staff and children from the preschool would demonstrate the UVLens sensor at the Otago Taieri A&P Show and the Brighton Gala Day over the weekend.
