Local MP Greg Warren says more of our children will get free health and development checks thanks to a $7.2 million boost for early childhood education and care services.
“This initiative will support families to ensure long-term health and development outcomes for their children,” says Mr Warren, who is also parliamentary secretary for education and early learning in the Minns Government,
“Campbelltown families will benefit from this initiative providing early awareness and intervention for children, prior to starting school.
“All families, regardless of postcode, income, or circumstances should be supported to provide the best outcomes for their children, particularly in terms of their health and development,’’ said Mr Warren, who is pictured above at a local early learning centre.
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:
- Staffing to support services to deliver the health and development checks;
- Provision of private space to conduct the checks;
- 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.
