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Jamie and Sadie Stonehouse were left stunned when they were told that their daughter’s summer dress was deemed “inappropriate” by school staff.

The parents were told via a text from their daughter’s carer she would need to wear a T-shirt under the dress if she were to wear it again.

Her father, Jamie Stonehouse, told Canadian TV news network CTV that Lola needed to have two-inch wide straps on her dress in order for it to conform to the preschool’s strict dress code.

summer dress

“At two inches she might as well just be wearing a shirt,” Mr Stonehouse said.

“It’s covering pretty much her whole shoulder and down a bit, so it’s not even a summer dress at that point.”

“I don’t think any girl should have to worry about how much shoulder she’s exposing when she dresses to go to school or anywhere else. At any age,” said Sadie Stonehouse.

“It’s a child. Innocence is innocence and we’re the only ones who can give it to them.”

Do you think the school is going a bit far?

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  • Like others I am thinking that perhaps its due to sun exposure more then anything else. Sounds like there is a bit of communication break down. I would like to hear the centers comments.

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  • My daughter always wore Lycra shorts under her dresses. That way she could still dress girly but play hard too

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  • It sounds as though the dress is also too short for his liking.
    To some extent I agree that the girl’s shoulders should be covered to prevent sunburn which can be very painful.

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  • I think if it were for sun burn then they should have made that clearer. Otherwise it’s rediculous.

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  • If it’s for sun safety reasons, totally one hundred per cent agree

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  • Our school is the same. To be sun smart, kids must wear sleaves to school. I think it’s fair. Save the dress for at home. My kids didn’t wear their favorites to kindy if it didn’t conform. I would rather they were protected from the sun.

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  • Thankfully I have boys but I do think the rule is a bit much. Maybe it’s to protect them from the sun burning their skin?

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  • Our kinder was like that, they were not allowed to wear shoe string strap dresses in summer, had to have sleeves or a tshirt underneath.

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  • Wow. Imagine how they made this little girl feel. I would imagine there would be issues with sun safety however, I’ve never been told how to dress my child for pre-school. Never.

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  • My daughter’s day care has a policy re summer clothing to meet with sun safety regulations and for that reason shoulders need to be covered with a tshirt.

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  • I think that it is going a little far, I mean it really isn’t going to make that much difference in sun exposure and if the school is following guidelines, kids should be wearing sunscreen and hats anyway when outside.

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  • Isn’t it because of sun safety? I mean wearing that she wouldn’t be aloud to play outside here in Australia. They are only covering themselves.

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  • Yep, think it’s all about sun safety. At my daughters child care center they have this policy as well, no singlets or dress with shoulder straps without wearing something under it, shoulders need to be covered, no open shoes (thongs or very open sandals) either.

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  • I understand the need to be protected from the sun and it would be interesting to see the dress code policy. I ma not sure a couple of extra inches on the straps would provide protection from the sun.


    • If it is hot – what about a hat and other means of avoiding the sun and heat?

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  • Pretty sure this is entirely about sun safety. It’s not an issue of oppressing women it’s common sense. I think they would change their tune if she came home with horrible burns and potential skin cancer.

    Reply

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