All children in Western Australia are offered a health assessment during their first year of primary school. This usually occurs in kindergarten and is provided by the local School Health Nurse. This is an excellent opportunity to look at the health and development of each child at the beginning of school life.

At Golden Hill Steiner School, the Kindy assessments start in term .

The assessments are simple, standard tests which are non-invasive, quick and easy. The tests screen for problems which are best addressed, if picked up and treated early. The checks include:

• Vision and hearing – we play a looking and listening game. The kids love putting on the tiger glasses and we use wooden blocks to play the hearing game
• ‘Lift the lip’ to check for dental issues – Tiger smiles J
• Growth – height and weight.
• Developmental according to parent responses on the form
• Teacher and nurse observations
• Any other health, development and wellbeing concerns raised by parents.  

Your child’s results will be sent home after their health check has been completed. Results are always treated confidentially.

Please note, the screening tests indicate if there may be a concern – they do not diagnose a condition. If the test results for your child suggest there may be a problem, the School Health Nurse will contact you to talk about further assessment,  possible referral and parental goals.

School Entry Health Assessment forms are currently being distributed for parents to complete. Please complete and sign the back page of the form before you return it. Please return the form to the class teacher as soon as possible.

I look forward to working with you and your family. Please phone if you wish to discuss anything to do with the School Entry Health Assessment.  Parents are welcome to attend the health checks with their children.  Please don’t hesitate to contact me to do this.  I can arrange for the assessment to be done outside of school hours if this suits you.

Paula Stretton | Clinical Nurse – School Health

WA Country Health Service – Great Southern Population Health

T: (08) 98480123| M: 0427922663 | F: (08) 98422643

E: Paula Stretton@health.wa.gov.au | W: www.wacountry.health.wa.gov.au

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