Early Childhood Screening

Early Childhood Screening is a quick check of how your child is growing and developing.

When completed between the ages of 3 and 4, screening can detect possible health or learning concerns so that children can get help before they start school.

Early Childhood Screening is required for all children in a School Readiness preschool program and is mandatory for any child who will attend kindergarten at a public school in Minnesota.

At Early Childhood Screening, a trained professional will check your child’s:

• Vision
• Hearing
• Height & Weight
• Large & Small Muscles
• Thinking, Language & Communication Skills
• Social & Emotional Development

Early Childhood Screening is offered free of charge to all children living in the Stewartville Public School District.  The screening will be held at the Central Education Center building with appointments lasting approximately 90 minutes.

Call to set up an appointment today!  507-533-1650

Please watch the attached video for a quick overview of what you can expect at your child’s Early Childhood Screening.

Frequently Asked Questions about Early Childhood Screening

• Does my child need an Early Childhood Screening?
  • Yes.  All Minnesota children are required to participate in Early Childhood Screening.  It is recommended at age three and is required before entry to Kindergarten.  Early Childhood Screening helps identify potential problems in your child’s health and development and is also a perfect time to find out about what early learning opportunities are available for your child.
• What’s the purpose of Early Childhood Screening?
  • Early childhood screening helps a school district identify children who may benefit from district and community resources available to help aid in their development.  If concerns are identified at the screening, children are referred to appropriate professionals for further assessment and service or treatment if it is needed.  Early Childhood Screening is not a substitution for health care from your primary health care provider, nor is it an assessment of Kindergarten readiness.
• What is the best age for a child to attend Early Childhood Screening?
  • The State of Minnesota recommends that children be screened at the age of 3, as this allows ample time to address any concerns that might be identified.  At our screenings, we typically find that children do better with following the directions of all of the screening stations if they are at least three and half years of age.  We encourage you to use your knowledge of your child to decide at what age your wish to schedule.  If you have concerns about your child’s growth or learning, we urge you to schedule a screening as soon as possible after their third birthday.
• Why is it so important that a child be screened at age 3?
  • Most learning in preschool-aged children takes place through vision and hearing.  Vision and hearing screening is the main component of Early Childhood Screening and can quickly pick up on impairments.  Several conditions that are monitored for age at 3 are too late to fully correct if found at a later age.  Identifying developmental delays or health impairments at age 3 gives a child more time to receive services before starting Kindergarten.  Early intervention is less expensive and improves overall outcomes.
• If my child does well at Early Childhood Screening, does this mean he/she is ready for Kindergarten?
  • Early Childhood Screening is not an assessment of Kindergarten readiness.  Screening looks at some basic areas of growth and development but does not evaluate all the skills that a child will need for a successful experience in Kindergarten.  Parents who come to screening with an interest in Kindergarten readiness skills should ask the screening staff for further information.
• My child recently saw her doctor for a Well-Child check-up.  Can the results of that checkup substitute for Early Childhood Screening?
  • A health care provider can give a screening/check-up that could take place of Early Childhood Screening if their assessment is comparable to what is required by state law. The law that mandates Early Childhood Screening lists the following as basic requirements: developmental assessments, hearing and vision screening or referral, immunization review and referral, the child’s height and weight, identification of risk factors that may influence learning, an interview with the parent about the child, and referral for assessment, diagnosis, and treatment when potential needs are identified.  If you feel that your child’s health care provider has done all these components, please submit that medical record to the Early Childhood Screening Coordinator for review.
• Once my child completes Early Childhood Screening, are they signed up for School Readiness (Preschool)?
  • Early Childhood Screening does not sign your child up for School Readiness.  you can receive information about the School Readiness program at the screening, but not sign up for it.  You will need to contact the School Readiness program to sign up.
• Do we need to do every part of Early Childhood Screening?  My child is already being seen by a doctor for problems with his/her ears.
  • Parents have the right to decline any given component of the screening.  The standard components of Early Childhood Screening at Stewartville Public School are vision and hearing; height and weight; review of immunizations and health history; large and small muscle development; thinking, language, and communication skills; and social and emotional development.
• What can my child and I expect when we come to Early Childhood Screening?
  • Early childhood screening is not a “test”, instead is a quick and simple check of a child’s health and development.  It includes a review of height, weight, vision, hearing, speech, social and emotional progress, and overall development.  Screening is tailored to the age of the child so that a three-year-old is only asked for what is developmentally appropriate for their age.  All results and follow-up recommendations are discussed with the accompanying adult before leaving your child’s appointment.
• What can I do to help my child prepare for Early Childhood Screening?
  • Inform your child that special helpers will be “playing games” with them to check and see if they are growing properly.  All activities are made to be fun and painless.  Children get a fun snack at the completion of screening.  There is a practice vision sheet included in the information packet that will be mailed to you.  Parents may bring notes about:
    • Things your child does well.
    • Questions about your child’s health.
    • Questions about your child’s development, such as learning, walking, talking, etc.
    • Questions about your child’s seeing or hearing.
• What happens if the school finds a problem during the Early Childhood Screening?
  • There are a few options if the professional providing the screening finds an area of concern in your child’s development.  They may refer your child for an evaluation by your local school district, or work with you to refer your child to other early childhood opportunities such as Head Start, School Readiness, Early Childhood Family Education, Early Learning Scholarships, and community resources.  If vision and/or hearing impairments are identified, a re-screening will be scheduled and performed before a professional referral is recommended.
• Where do we go for Early Childhood Screening?
  • Early Childhood Screening will be held a the Central Education Center (CEC Building.  Address:  301 2nd Street SW, Stewartville, MN  55976
• Who can I talk to if I still have questions?
  • To schedule your child’s ECS appointment, please call:
    • Early Childhood Scheduling Coordinator: 507-533-1650