The B4 School Check is a FREE health check for pre-school children/tamariki after they turn 4 and before they start school to make sure they are healthy and can learn well at school. If you are yet to hear from your local B4 School Check provider it’s important you contact them to make a booking by calling 0800 933 922.
The B4 School Check is done by a registered nurse and will take about 45 minutes. It includes:
- a child health questionnaire
- a questionnaire about your child's strengths and any things they find difficult
- an assessment of how well your child is developing
- hearing and vision screening
- measurement of height and weight
- oral health assessment – Lift the Lip
- health promotion and education
- referrals to appropriate health, education or social services and follow up if required
- immunisation (if overdue) where possible
- the opportunity for you to talk about anything that is concerning you about your tamariki.
Read more about the content of the B4School Check.
(Ministry of Health - Manatū Hauora, NZ, 2015)
The B4 School Check is the 12th (and final) core contact of the Well Child Tamariki Ora schedule of services. It is not designed to pick up every health problem your child might have, so if you have any concerns about your child at any time, talk to your family doctor.
For more information on the B4 School Check talk to your Plunket Nurse, doctor or local Well Child provider. You can also:
- Find out who to contact in your region about the B4 School Check
- Call Healthline on 0800 611 116 for parenting advice and health education information through their Well Child line.
(Ministry Health, NZ, 2015)
Daniel's B4 School Check
Follow Daniel and his family as Daniel gets his B4 School Check to get a close up view of what's covered.
(EDTV & Northland District Health Board, NZ, 2015)
Cornelius's B4 School Check
Follow Cornelius and his family as Cornelius gets his B4 School Check.
(EDTV & Northland District Health Board, NZ, 2015)
For more information on the delivery of the B4 School Check in your area, check out this list of B4 School Check key contacts.
Learn more
B4 school check information for early learning services Ministry of Health NZ
B4 school check information for parents and whānau Ministry of Education, NZ
Resources for health providers relating to B4 School Checks
Growth charts, amended 2010, Ministry of Health NZ, 2015
B4 School Check – a handbook for practitioners Ministry of Health, NZ, 2008
Well Child/Tamariki Ora Publications Ministry of Health NZ