Parents in South Australia are being encouraged to book free health checks for their young children as the state government enhances a program aimed at supporting early childhood development. With alarming statistics revealing that nearly 25% of children start school with developmental delays—rates higher than the national average—this initiative is seen as crucial.
Premier Peter Malinauskas emphasised the significance of these health checks, citing the concerns of first-time parents who may not know where to seek help. The government has allocated $13 million to boost the Child and Family Health Service, allowing the hiring of additional nurses to carry out assessments on physical health, social skills, and motor development. Over the next three years, this investment aims to provide around 50,000 extra health checks.
Rachael Yates, executive director of the Women’s and Children’s Health Network, highlighted that increasing staff will facilitate outreach to more families. The government is optimistic that with improved services, more parents will take advantage of these free checks, which are vital for setting children up for a successful future. As Malinauskas pointed out, “Big interventions can make big differences to the course of their life,” underscoring the importance of early support in child development.