Premier David Crisafulli to launch ‘Healthy Kindy Kids’ pilot program in Townsville
Townsville Kindergarten’s will be the first in the state to get access to free health checks under a $37.5 million program to be revealed in next week’s budget.
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Townsville Kindergarten’s will be the first in the state to get access to free health checks under a $37.5 million program to be revealed in next week’s budget.
The Queensland Government will deliver on its election promise to provide health checks – including vision and hearing – for up to 60,000 Queensland kids.
Touching down in the city today for the Bulletin’s Future Townsville event, Premier David Crisafulli will announce the Healthy Kindy Kids program as part of his government’s first budget.
The initiative will start with a pilot program in select Townsville kindergartens from October this year, before expanding across the state.
He said the program would deliver comprehensive vision, hearing and speech development assessments to identify health concerns before children started formal schooling.
“We are determined to give every Queensland kid the best possible chance to start school strong,” Mr Crisafulli said.
The program aims to address growing concerns from early childhood educators that undiagnosed health and developmental issues are causing children to struggle in their early education, potentially leading to long-term learning difficulties.
The free health checks will be done by Queensland Health allied health assistants, allied health students or enrolled nurses working under the supervision of senior health professionals.
Every kindergarten should have access to the service by the end of 2027, with services to be available at all government-approved kindergarten programs, childcare centres and community locations throughout Queensland.
Mr Crisafulli described the program as part of a “fresh start for Queensland” and a practical approach to supporting children’s educational development.
“For too long, Queensland kids with learning difficulties were allowed to slip through the cracks, but we are ensuring they get the support they deserve,” he said.
Early detection of developmental issues in preschool-aged children has been identified by health experts as crucial for effective intervention.
Research suggests that addressing problems with vision, hearing and speech development before formal schooling can significantly improve educational outcomes.
The Healthy Kindy Kids program was one of the Crisafulli Government’s key election commitments and was first announced in Townsville
The government says the initiative will help bridge this gap by ensuring potential issues are identified and addressed before children fall behind in their learning journey.
“Through targeted and practical intervention, we are giving Queensland kids the best possible start and backing parents with the support they need,” Mr Crisafulli said.
The program’s announcement comes as the new government presents its first budget on June 24, which Treasurer David Janetzki has foreshadowed will be about “debt repair”.
Originally published as Premier David Crisafulli to launch ‘Healthy Kindy Kids’ pilot program in Townsville
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