Nine preschools across the State are to take part in a new study providing free health and development tests for children before they start school.
Announced by the Minister for Education and Early Learning, Sarah Mitchell, the study is the first step in a whole-of-Government initiative to provide all NSW children with a full suite of developmental checks before they start school.
Ms Mitchell said the Brighter Beginnings initiative was a partnership between the Department of Education, NSW Health, the Department of Communities and Justice, the Department of Customer Service, the Department of Regional NSW, Multicultural NSW, Aboriginal Affairs, and the Department of Premier and Cabinet.
She said the study would be expanded to 15 additional locations early next year before being offered to every NSW pre-schooler in 2024.
“The state-wide program is an Australian first, with checks assessing hearing, vision, physical and cognitive development, social and emotional development, communication and skills,” Ms Mitchell said.
“Education is the door to a brighter future, and these development checks are the keys for children across NSW to access the benefits of quality education,” she said.
“The study will help inform the state-wide rollout of the program and will include different types of tests in different locations,” she said.
Ms Mitchell said the initial study would run until February 2023 in metropolitan, regional and remote areas.
Minister for Health, Brad Hazzard said the program aimed to give more families the support they needed if it was discovered that their child was not on track to meet key milestones.
“Child and family nurses, allied health professionals and early childhood educators will work together to support families so all kids are ready for school,” Mr Hazzard said.
“A child’s health and development plays an important part in their school journey and these checks will identify issues early so that action plans and support measures can be put in place early.”
