Support for your child
B4 School Checks
Your child can have a free B4 School Check when they turn four. This helps make sure your child is healthy and ready to learn, before they start school. The B4 School Check gives you an opportunity to discuss your child’s health and development with a registered nurse. If the nurse notices anything that needs to be checked further, they can refer your child to an appropriate service before they start school. For example an educational specialist, GP, nurse, the dental service, or people who can help with social or emotional needs.
What the check covers
The B4 School Check usually takes about 45-60 minutes and covers:
- general health including oral health
- behavioural and developmental progress
- hearing and vision screening
- immunisation (if required) where possible.
For more information visit the B4 School Check on the Ministry of Health website.
Parents of four-year-olds
If your child has turned four and you haven’t received an invitation for a B4 school check, ask your ECE service or contact your local District Health Board.
Gifted and talented children
'Gifted and talented' is a term used to describe a wide range of exceptional abilities that children may display from a very young age.
Signs of giftedness in early childhood could include an early interest in their surroundings, extremely good observation skills, an extensive vocabulary, an exceptional memory, grasping concepts quickly or talking early and fluently.
However there are many other areas in which a child can demonstrate exceptional ability and in many cases these abilities do not emerge until children are older. Some gifts and talents can be recognised and valued differently in different communities and cultures.
If you think your child may have a special ability and they attend an early childhood centre, talk to their teacher. They can advise you about what to do next and provide contact details of those who can help if more support or information is needed.
You could also:
- visit the section for parents and whānau of gifted and talented children on the TKI website
- contact the New Zealand Association for Gifted Children. They are a parent-run volunteer organisation. Association members can borrow books from their library of books on gifted education. Branches of the association run activities for gifted children
- check out The Gifted Education Centre who run "Small Poppies", a club for under-sixes, and The One Day School for 6-12 year olds.
Children with special needs
If your child has special education needs, we have more information about the extra resources and support available to you.