The NSW Government has announced a $7.2 million initiative aimed at expanding free health and development checks for children in early childhood education and care services across New South Wales. This funding will support 881 services statewide.
The program, known as the Health and Development Checks in Early Childhood and Care, allows health professionals to visit preschools and childcare centers to conduct assessments for four-year-olds. These checks are designed to identify any additional support children may need before starting school.
Since the program launched in 2023, over 7,000 children have benefited from these free health and development checks. The assessments evaluate various developmental areas, including problem-solving abilities, communication skills, and social interactions. Physical growth and dental health are also monitored.
To facilitate the program, eligible services can receive up to $7,500 to help with:
Staffing needs for delivering the checks
Creating private spaces for assessments
Addressing health and developmental needs identified during the checks
These services provide families with a convenient alternative to visiting a doctor or Child and Family Health service for assessments.
Recent data from the Australian Early Development Census (AEDC) reveals that nearly 44 percent of children in NSW are not developmentally on track when they start school.
All preschools and long day care services are encouraged to participate in the program by contacting their local health district. This initiative is part of the NSW Government’s commitment to ensuring that children across the state have the best start in life.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Education and Early Learning, Prue Car, emphasized the importance of these checks. “They provide families with valuable information about their child’s growth and development. Offering these free checks at early childhood services makes it easier for working families to access support and ensures early intervention for those who need it,” she said.
Minister for Health and Regional Health, Ryan Park, highlighted the need for additional support for young children. “Starting school is an exciting time, but with two in five children beginning school developmentally off track, we must do more to assist young children and their families. Providing these checks in preschools and long day care centers offers busy families a convenient way to help their children succeed in school,” he stated.
The program aims to provide families with the necessary information to support their child’s development and seek help when needed.
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