Free kindy health checks expand to 11 Gold Coast services

Healthy Kindy Kids is extending its reach following a Townsville pilot, with participating kindergartens offering free vision, hearing, speech and language screening.

Free health screening is expanding to 11 Gold Coast kindergartens through Queensland’s Healthy Kindy Kids program. Five Townsville kindergartens involved in the original pilot are continuing to deliver the checks, which identify children who may need further assessment or support before starting school.

The Queensland Government announced the expansion on 16 October, reporting that more than 70 per cent of children screened during the Townsville pilot required follow-up in at least one area. Some required support across two or more areas.

“If we identify any concerns, we provide families with information and guidance on the next steps,” Gold Coast Hospital and Health Service allied health assistant Ella Spark said.

This can include referrals or recommendations for further assessment and support, depending on the screening results. The checks identify potential concerns and do not provide a diagnosis.

Gold Coast expansion builds on Townsville pilot

The rollout follows the program’s introduction in Townsville during October and November 2025. Queensland Health said around 70 participating children were identified as requiring follow-up support in at least one area.

Little Scholars School of Early Learning in Burleigh is among the Gold Coast services participating. The program brings screening into familiar kindergarten settings, with trained allied health assistants working under the supervision of senior health professionals.

As previously reported in The Sector’s overview of Healthy Kindy Kids, the initiative is backed by a $37.5 million government commitment over five years. The expansion provides an update on delivery beyond the initial pilot, with further Queensland locations to follow.

Consent and play-based activities guide screening

Eligible children must attend a government-approved kindergarten and have turned four on or before 30 June in the screening year. Parents or carers receive information about the program, provide consent and complete a questionnaire before their child participates.

Face-to-face screening takes approximately 20 to 30 minutes. Children take part in a hearing game using headphones and a tablet, a language activity and a vision check using a camera-like device. Speech development is assessed through the parent or carer questionnaire.

The activities are designed to fit within the regular kindergarten day. Participating services help communicate arrangements to families and coordinate the screening visit with the local health team, including preparing an appropriate space and supporting children’s participation.

Results connect families with further support

Families receive a written summary after screening. Where concerns are identified, next steps may include further screening, support from a GP or community health professional, or referral to a specialist service. Queensland Health says referrals will usually be to free services.

The checks provide a snapshot of development at one point in time and complement routine health and development assessments. Families with concerns about their child’s vision, hearing, speech or language can seek advice from their GP or child and family health nurse without waiting for a kindergarten screening visit.

Queensland Health expects Brisbane North to join the rollout in the coming months, with statewide availability planned by the end of 2028. Once fully implemented, Healthy Kindy Kids is expected to screen up to 60,000 children annually. Further information is available through the Queensland Government’s Healthy Kindy Kids resources.