LNP pledges free health checks for kindy children if elected

The Queensland Liberal National Party (LNP) has promised that every child attending an approved kindergarten program will have access to a free health and development check under a new Healthy Kindy Kids program, should the party secure victory in the upcoming 26 October election.

The check would assess children’s vision, hearing and speech in the year before school, and would be conducted onesite at Queensland early learning services, in a bid to address any health or developmental concerns before children begin school, preventing them from falling behind their peers. 

“The LNP’s Healthy Kindy Kids program will deliver hearing, vision and speech health checks, so kids are ready and raring for their first years of school,” LNP Leader David Crisafulli said, noting educator anecdotal observations that undiagnosed health and development issues are causing children to fall behind in their early years of schooling leading to long-term learning difficulties and disengagement from education.

“Healthy kids are healthy learners and this will give kids the best start to school possible,” he continued.

“Kids shouldn’t be left behind before they even get to school. By identifying health issues early, we’re giving parents, teachers, and children the best tools to succeed.”

The $27.5 million program would see kindergarten providers creating a handover report for each child, giving schools ‘critical insights’ into any health, developmental, or behavioural concerns before the start of the school year.

Children identified with health or developmental needs will also receive follow-up checks in school years 1, 3, and 5 to ensure they continue to receive the support they need.

“Early intervention is only part of the equation,” Mr Crisafulli said. 

“Ongoing check-ups at years 1, 3, and 5 will ensure we can monitor progress and make adjustments as needed to keep kids on the right track throughout primary school.”