The first few years of a child’s life are crucially important, a time that sees rapid development of both brain and body.

Now, thanks to a $13.3 million expansion of the Child and Family Health Service (CaFHS), more South Australian children will receive health and development checks during those important early years.

The State Government is expanding the frequency and reach of health and development checks for all children across the state, in line with recommendations from the Royal Commission into Early Childhood Education and Care.

The expansion will build on CaFHS’ existing screening service delivery and increase their reach across the state by up to 35 per cent, funding up to an additional 50,000 checks across three years.

Each child can access seven health and development checks before they turn five, giving parents valuable insight into their child's developmental progress.

A specially trained child development nurse assesses a child’s physical health, social skills, motor skills, problem-solving skills, and communication skills as part of the comprehensive checks.

Data from the 2021 Australian Early Development Census showed nearly a quarter of South Australian children, from a range of backgrounds, had delays in at least one developmental domain when they started school.

The domains are physical health and wellbeing, social skills, emotional maturity, language and cognitive skills, and communication skills and general knowledge.

Between 2021 and 2024, with the addition of the new 12-month check, average CaFHS service delivery across all seven milestones has already doubled.

WCHN Executive Director Nursing and Midwifery, and Consumer Experience Rachael Yates said that she encouraged parents and caregivers to make health and development checks a priority for their baby and young child.

"The first five years are very important for lifetime development as this is when the brain and body grows rapidly, that’s why regular health and development checks are so important," she said.

"We’re thrilled to be able to expand our health checks program to benefit even more South Australian families and young children."

The news comes as the state recognised another health milestone, marking 12 months since the first of SA’s three 24-hour pharmacies opened.

Over the past year National Pharmacies in Norwood has helped more than 25,000 South Australians, with others receiving care at the 24-hour chemists in the north and inner south which also opened last year.

A fourth 24-hour pharmacy for the outer southern suburbs is currently in planning.

To learn more about the State Government’s investment in early childhood health and development checks, click here