Thousands more preschoolers to receive free health and development checks across NSW

Thousands more children across New South Wales will receive free health and development checks in 2026, with the NSW Government expanding a major early childhood initiative designed to identify support needs before children commence school.

More than 1,400 preschools and long day care services will receive funding through the latest round of the Health and Development Participation Grants, enabling onsite checks for children and improving access for families across metropolitan, regional and remote communities.

Major investment in early childhood wellbeing

The NSW Government has committed a record $9.8 million in the 2026 round, bringing total investment in the program to $23 million since its launch in 2023.

According to the NSW Government, more than 30,000 children have already accessed free checks through earlier funding rounds, with thousands more expected to benefit this year.

The fourth and largest round of grants includes:

• 1,040 services across metropolitan Sydney, Newcastle and Wollongong

• 388 services in regional and remote NSW

• a record 67 public preschools participating statewide

What the checks include

Delivered in partnership between the NSW Department of Education and NSW Health, the free opt-in checks assess a range of developmental indicators that can support early identification and intervention.

Areas commonly covered include:

• physical growth

• oral health

• speech and communication

• social and behavioural development

• gross and fine motor skills

• learning, thinking and problem-solving abilities

For families, the program can provide early insights into their child’s development and practical guidance on where to seek additional support if required.

How services can use the funding

Participating services can receive up to $7,500 through two grant categories:

• $1,500 to support staffing, planning and coordination of the checks

• $6,000 to upskill educators and purchase resources that support health and developmental outcomes

This flexible funding model allows services to adapt implementation to local community needs, strengthen partnerships with health professionals and improve family engagement.

Supporting school readiness and early intervention

Deputy Premier and Minister for Education and Early Learning Prue Car said the checks provide families with peace of mind ahead of school commencement and help ensure children have the best possible start.

Embedding checks directly within trusted early learning environments can reduce common barriers such as travel, appointment access and navigating multiple systems.

For the early childhood education and care sector, the initiative also reinforces the increasingly important role of services as access points for integrated support — linking education, health and early intervention in one familiar setting.

Part of a broader reform agenda

The grants form part of a wider NSW early childhood reform program focused on improving access, quality and developmental outcomes.

That broader agenda includes:

• delivery of 100 new public preschools on public school sites by 2027

• establishment of the NSW Early Learning Commission

• increased focus on school readiness and developmental vulnerability

Together, these measures reflect a stronger whole-of-system focus on ensuring every child enters school with the support they need to thrive.

Why it matters

For providers, educators and policymakers, the expansion highlights a growing understanding that early learning settings are uniquely placed to connect families with support early, when intervention can have the greatest impact.

As pressure continues across health and education systems, programs that meet families where they already are are likely to become an increasingly important feature of future reform.

Read the NSW Department of Education news release here.