Brighter Beginnings Health & Development Checks
Who we are
Brighter Beginnings offers free health and development checks to children who are starting school next year in their Early Childhood Education Centre (preschool or long day care). Our team includes Child & Family Health Nursing and Allied Health staff.
The Brighter Beginnings Health & Development Check
We work with you and your child's Early Childhood Education Centre to:
- Provide a free health and development check for your child (similar to a Blue Book check):
- Measuring height and weight
- Oral health: lift the lip check
- Reviewing development: communication, behaviour and social skills, fine and gross motor skills, learning and play skills
- Support your child to access services that can help with any identified development or health needs.
- Support families and Educators to address needs at home and within Early Childhood Education Centres.
- Four year old vaccinations will not be given. Please make an appointment with your family doctor or local Community Health Clinic
- The Statewide Eyesight Preschooler Screening program continues to offer free vision screening.
How to get help
Brighter Beginnings will contact Early Childhood Education Centres across the Hunter New England Local Health District to arrange to visits.
Centres will let their families know a few weeks before our visit and will hand out paperwork.
Parents/Carers please complete and return the paperwork given to you by your child's Centre. Children will only be screened after their caregiver has provided consent.
Health & development checks can also be done by Child and Family Health Services or your family doctor.
Understanding your child’s health and development
Your child's development from birth to age 5 is a journey with important milestones along the way. Learn more about:
- Health and development in the first five years
- Watch short videos of 4 year old and 5 year old milestones
- NSW Health’s introduction of Brighter Beginnings Health & Development Checks