From health checks to everyday support: $6.65 million grant round opens

Eligible early learning services in NSW can apply for up to $7,500 to support four-year-old health checks and developmental support. Applications close on 8 November 2026.

A health and development check can help a family understand their child’s needs. For educators, the next step is working out how relevant advice can inform everyday interactions, daily routines and learning.

A new $6.65 million funding round in New South Wales aims to support that connection through the 2027 Health and Development Participation Grant, which opened on 8 October.

The grants support participation in the Health and Development Checks in Early Learning Services Program, delivered by the NSW Department of Education and NSW Health. Local health district staff provide checks for four-year-olds within early learning settings.

Speaking about the checks in an April 2026 announcement, Education and Early Learning Minister Prue Car said:

“These checks provide valuable information for a child’s health and development, so families can seek and receive the additional support they may need.”

What the funding covers

The 2027 guidelines outline two non-competitive streams, each offering up to $7,500 per eligible service, excluding GST.

The standard stream has a $6.275 million allocation across two categories:

• $1,500 for participation: staffing support to help services coordinate and take part in the checks.
• $6,000 for capability and resources: professional support and resources that help educators implement strategies for groups of children.

A separate $375,000 stream supports early learning-led Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations, with more flexible spending rules for culturally safe checks and follow-up support.

Under the standard stream, allied health professionals can work with educators to develop and embed group-wide strategies. This funding cannot be used to provide individual therapy or remove children from the group.

That distinction matters when discussing the grant with families. Support for service participation and educator capability is not the same as funding for every child’s subsequent treatment.

Eligibility and application dates

Standard-stream eligibility includes not-for-profit community preschools, not-for-profit long day care services, including local government-managed services, and for-profit providers operating up to three long day care services.

Services must deliver a preschool program. Category one applicants must agree to participate in checks through their local health district by the end of 2027.

Funding is subject to eligibility, spending rules, program priorities and available funds. A non-competitive process does not guarantee a grant. If demand exceeds the allocation, the department applies an equity-based priority hierarchy.

Applications must be completed by an approved provider or authorised representative. Providers need service and provider approval numbers, legal entity details, an ABN and enrolment information, including projected four-year-old enrolments for 2027. Services need an Early Childhood Contract Management System account to receive funding.

Applications close at midnight on 8 November 2026. Outcomes are scheduled by 11 December, with payment by 28 January 2027. Funding must be spent by 31 December 2027.

Making support workable

Organising a visit involves more than finding space for health professionals. Someone needs time to explain the process to families, coordinate consent forms and help children feel comfortable.

NSW Health advises that families must consent to the checks and receive a summary afterwards. Families may choose to share that information with educators.

For service teams, useful planning starts with clear responsibilities: who coordinates the visit, who communicates with families and how agreed advice will be considered in the program.

Educators’ observations and families’ knowledge can inform those conversations. The practical aim is to connect the check with support that makes sense for the child, while keeping families involved and checking proposed expenditure against the relevant funding rules.