Supporting your child’s development
Ready, Set, Progress provides free child development checks for children in familiar settings such as playgroups or early childhood activity. These checks help families understand their child’s strengths and developmental needs, and provide guidance on fun, practical ways to support learning and growth
Who Child Development Checks are for
Child Development Checks are for all children aged between 12 months and 5 years old. The checks and any follow up support are free.
What to expect
A Playgroup SA Child Development Facilitator (Allied Health Professional) meets you at your playgroup or early childhood activity and gives you a child development check to complete at home. The following week the Child Development Facilitator returns to your playgroup or early childhood activity, and you chat together about your child’s strengths and any developmental needs that the screen may have highlighted. Fun ideas to support your child’s development are given and you are supported with referrals to specialist services if required.
When and where
Checks are usually done at playgroups, early childhood activities and community centres. They are easy to access and in a familiar environment
How to book a check
You can arrange a Ready, Set, Progress checks by:
- Speaking to your playgroup coordinator or local early childhood program leader to organise a Child Development Facilitator to attend your program
- Contacting Playgroup SA directly to schedule a check for your child
Please note: These checks are part of a pilot program and do not meet the requirements for the 3 or 4-year-old Healthy Start for School check, which may affect Family Tax Benefit (Part A) payments. For more information, visit the Services Australia Healthy Start for School webpage.
Support available
If a check indicates that your child may benefit from extra support, the Playgroup SA Child Development team can provide specialised support, which may include:
- Assistance accessing support services tailored to your child and family’s needs
- Practical, individualised strategies to promote your child’s development
Inclusive and culturally appropriate
Ready, Set, Progress is designed to support all families. Playgroup SA can provide:
- Culturally appropriate checks for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families
- Interpreting services for families who prefer a language other than English
Contact us
To book a Ready, Set, Progress check or for more information, contact Playgroup SA: [email protected] or fill in the form
For general information, you can also contact the Office for Early Childhood Development, Child Health and Development Check team: [email protected]
Download the Early Years App to support you to support your child’s development
If you have health concerns regarding your child, please make an appointment with a primary health care provider or the Child and Family Health Service
