Proportion of Children Attending Childhood Developmental Screening Checks and Measures to Encourage Participation

Ms Joan Pereira asked the Minister for Health (a) in the past three years, what proportion of children have attended Childhood Developmental Screening checks; and (b) what are the measures to ensure that children who do not turn up for such checks will still get the appropriate follow-up.

The Childhood Developmental Screening (CDS) checks are conducted to identify children at risk of developmental delay and allow for early intervention.

Between 2020 and 2022, more than 70% of children aged two attended at least four out of the recommended five CDS checks at polyclinics and the Community Health Assist Scheme's general practitioner clinics. During the same period, around 40%-50% of children aged three attended at least five out of the recommended six CDS checks at subsidised primary care settings. This does not include CDS checks conducted in other private healthcare settings.

Inclusion Coordinators at preschools work with their fellow early childhood educators to identify children with potential developmental needs for further assessment at CDS. Polyclinics will also opportunistically remind parents with young children of the CDS touchpoints and the importance to follow up. Parents are also encouraged to refer to the child’s Health Booklet for age-specific developmental checklists to monitor the growth and development of the child and seek help accordingly should they notice a delay.