B4 School Check ambassadors to visit Christchurch

February 23, 2012

B4 School Check ambassadors to visit Christchurch

B4 School Check ambassadors the WotWots will be a star attraction at the Kidzone 24 roadshow in Christchurch this Saturday (February 25, 2012).
Joy Drummond, from Canterbury B4 School Check Coordination Team, says kids will be able to meet the adventurous twosome, Spotty Wot and Dotty Wot and hopefully the presence of the WotWots will be a prompt for parents to remember the B4 School Check.
“The B4 School Check is available free to every four-year-old. The assessment takes about 45 minutes and includes filling out comprehensive health and development questionnaires, having height and weight measurements, hearing and vision testing and a check of children’s teeth and gums,” Joy says.

“If a child can’t see or hear as well as they should or has an undetected health condition, this can hinder their ability to learn.”

If any concerns are identified children can be referred to a doctor or specialist, such as a paediatrician, speech language therapist, psychologist or dentist.

“Children having a check will receive a free the WotWots colouring in, activity or board book and a sticker – another good reason to go along.”

The B4 School Check, the last of the eight core Well Child checks, was introduced in 2008 with the aim of detecting and addressing any health or development issues before children go to school.

Some Canterbury children have been found to need glasses; others have had grommets fitted so they can hear better and a number have been referred for extra help with things like language development.

Parents or caregivers of children turning four usually receive an invitation from either their General Practice team or the Public Health Nurses for their child to attend a check. Parents who have not received an invitation for their child to attend a check can contact their General Practice or the Canterbury B4 School Check Coordination Team on 03 3539920 to make an appointment.
The WotWots will be at Northlands Mall Centre Court from 9am-6pm, Saturday February 25.
More information about the B4 School Check can be found on the Ministry of Health website www.health.govt.nz/our-work/life-stages/child-health/b4-school-check

ENDS