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Five Things To Do B4 School
Media information For immediate release
Date: February 12, 2009
Five Things To Do B4 School
Four-year-old Hamilton twins Alysha and Grace Gill have five things to do before they turn five.
As Waikato District Health Board's newest billboard models for the B4 School Checks officially launched in the Waikato on Monday, Alysha and Grace have nearly completed their five already - including immunisations.
"It didn't hurt," said Grace.
"And we didn't cry," adds Alysha.
In fact, the sisters are sharing that wisdom with their new kitten telling her that her immunisations (kitten vaccinations) won't hurt either.
If they can do it, so can Rumpleteazer they say, affectionately named after the character their mother Caroline played in the Hamilton Operatic Society's musical Cats last year.
In the Waikato region, Waikato DHB, Waikato Primary Health Organisation and libraries are working collaboratively to rollout the B4 School Check, which replaces its similar predecessor Fit 4 School.
Aptly branded 'The very important project', the checks comprise five imperative health and wellbeing checks to ensure the good health of our pre-school children before starting school.
Like Grace and Alysha, all four-year-olds get a book with milestones to complete before they are healthy for school.
These include a hearing and vision test, getting a library card, enrolling with the dental service and having a dental check, a child health questionnaire for mum or dad, height and weight check and visiting their teacher at their new school.
When each check is complete, the child gets a sticker to put on the corresponding page to take them through the journey.
Waikato DHB B4 School project coordinator Emma Pullar said the 'Very important project' was a concept, which showed the partnership between education and health - all the while making it a fun but important initiative for four-year-olds.
"The very important project resources have been sponsored by the library, which is just fantastic and really signifies what these checks are all about - interagency collaboration between education and health."
She said the health and education partners had some primary goals for the B4 School Check project in the Waikato; that we leave no child behind and that whole communities take part in caring for their four-year-olds.
The free checks may take place in a GP clinic, early childhood centre, community centre or other setting and give parents a chance to discuss their child's health and development with a registered nurse.
"We know parents are very busy, and it can be hard to make time for a health check," said Miss Pullar.
"But it's so important children start school healthy and ready to learn. The B4 School Check is designed to pick up health and development issues that might stop your child from getting the most benefit out of school."
Alysha and Grace, who were born at Waikato Hospital, will be the local 'faces' of the B4 School Check when Waikato DHB's new billboard goes up soon on the corner of London and Tristram Sts in keeping B4 School Checks top of mind for parents.
For now the sisters are looking forward to starting school happy and healthy at St Peter's Catholic School in Cambridge after their 17 May birthday.
For more information, parents can call the free 24-hour health advice service Healthline (0800 611 116), which includes a Well Child line, providing parenting advice and health education information, or visit www.moh.govt.nz/b4schoolcheck
ENDS
Waikato District Health Board
Healthy People. Excellent Care
Waikato District Health Board (DHB) employs over 6500 people and plans, funds and provides hospital and health services to more than 391,770 people in a region covering eight per cent of New Zealand.
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