More children will get free health and development checks with the Minns Labor Government today announcing $7.2 million for 881 early childhood education and care services across NSW.
The NSW Government opt-in Health and Development Checks in Early Childhood and Care program supports health professionals to visit early childhood education and care services to conduct the checks for four-year-olds to help identify additional support the children may need before school.
More than 7,000 children have received a free health and development check in their early childhood education and care service since the program began in 2023.
The checks assess various aspects of the child development, including problem solving skills, listening, talking and, social skills. Physical growth and dental health will also be monitored.
The program aims to make it easier for more services to offer the checks.
Eligible services received up to $7,500 to support:
1. Staffing to support services to deliver the health and development checks
2. Provision of private space to conduct the checks.
3. Support to address health and development needs identified through the checks.
The checks offered through early childhood education and care services provide families with a free alternative to visiting a doctor or Child and Family Health service.
Nearly half (44 per cent) of NSW children are not developmentally on track when they start school, according to the most recent Australian Early Development Census (AEDC) data.
All preschools and long day care services can participate in the Health and Development Checks in Early Childhood Education and Care program by contacting their local health district.
This is all part of the Minns Labor Government’s plan to give kids across NSW the best start in life.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Education and Early Learning Prue Car said:
“Health and development checks provide families with valuable information about their child’s growth and development.
“Offering the free checks at early childhood education and care services makes it easier for working families to participate and ensures there is early intervention for students who need it.
“The Minns Labor Government is supporting long term health and development outcomes for all children across NSW, regardless of their family’s postcode, income or circumstances.”
Minister for Health and Regional Health Ryan Park said:
“Starting school is an exciting time, but with two in five children starting school developmentally off track we need to do more to support young children and their families.
“Providing health and development checks for four-year-olds in preschools or long day care centres makes it far more convenient for busy families to help their children have the best start to school.
“These checks especially in the first 2,000 days help families get the information they need to support their child’s development and to seek help, if needed.”