Well Child Tamariki Ora checks
The Well Child Tamariki Ora programme is a series of health visits and support. It is free to all whānau | families for tamariki | children from around 6 weeks up to 5 years of age. These checks are important. They will help to pick up any issues your child might have in areas such as:
- growth and development
- hearing, vision
- teeth
- learning and behaviour.
If your child has an issue, finding it early is good for their learning and development.
Usually, your midwife will help you sign up with Whānau Āwhina Plunket or another Well Child Tamariki Ora service soon after your baby is born.
If you haven’t signed up, it’s not too late. Well Child Tamariki Ora services in your area are listed on Health New Zealand's website.
Well Child Tamariki Ora providers – Health New Zealand
Getting support from your early learning service
If you are worried about your child’s learning or development, or suspect they are having trouble hearing or seeing, you can ask your child's early learning service if they are noticing the same things. You can talk about these concerns at a Well Child check.
Sometimes it might be the staff that notice something first. If they notice any hearing, vision or other health issues, they may suggest that you take your child for a Well Child check.
B4 School Check
The B4 School Check is the last Well Child Tamariki Ora check. It is a free health and development check for your 4-year-old and helps give them a good start at school. At this check, the B4 School Check team will look at your child's growth and development and check your child can see and hear well.
Part of the check involves asking your child's early learning service about their learning and development.
Sometimes, some or all of the B4 School Check may take place at the early learning service.
If your child is 4 years old and you haven’t received an invitation for a B4 School Check, you can contact your local B4 School Check team to arrange one.
B4 School check providers – Health New Zealand
Dental care
Oral health care is free for children until they turn 18.
Call the Ministry of Health's free helpline to enrol with your local Community Oral Health Service.
Freephone (NZ only): 0800 TALK TEETH (0800 825 583)
Dentists do not come to early learning services, as they do for some schools. You will need to make your own appointments, and the Community Oral Health Service will tell you where to go.
