A quick check to see how a child is growing and developing.

Description

Early Childhood Screening is for children between the ages of three and the start of kindergarten or first grade. However, it is best to screen between the ages of three and four. The screening is used to check for any health or learning concerns that may need a referral for further evaluation by a doctor or a speech, developmental or physical therapist. A parent perspective on how the child is developing is always taken into account when discussing referral information.

If you or your child does not speak English, ask the district where you live to provide an interpreter.

Parents will complete a social and emotional development questionnaire about their child.

Screening is required before or within 30 days of entering Minnesota's public school district kindergarten or first grade. It is also required before or within the first 90 days of entering public school district prekindergarten programs.

Parents may submit a comparable screening from Head Start or a health care provider. Parents may also opt out, decline, refuse or conscientiously object by submitting a statement in writing to the district screening program with their child's name, parent signature and date.

About This Location

Screening may link families to free early learning opportunities and resources such as Head Start, Early Childhood Family Education, prekindergarten programs, Early Learning Scholarships, Early Childhood Special Education or home visiting programs. View a short (five minute video) early childhood screening parent video in English, Hmong, Somali or Spanish.

During the screening trained professionals will check your child's:

• Vision
• Hearing
• Height and weight
• Immunizations (shots) status
• Large and small muscles
• Thinking, language and communication skills
• Social and emotional development

Features

• Area Served by County
  • Benton County
  • Stearns County

• Payment
  • Free / no cost to everyone

Eligibility

All Minnesota children between ages three and the start of kindergarten or first grade. (If there are developmental concerns for a child between the ages of birth to three years, the local school district may screen through the Early Childhood Special Education department.)

Application Instructions

Contact your local school district.

Fee

Services are free.