FAQs

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 within 21 days before professional referral is recommended.

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 are 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 that 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.

Early childhood screening is not a 'test', instead, it 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.

Parents have the right to decline any given component of the screening. The standard components of Early Childhood Screening at Byron Public Schools 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.

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.

A health care provider can give a screening/check-up that could take the 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.

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 interest in kindergarten readiness skills should ask the screening staff for further information.

Most learning in preschool-aged children takes place through vision and hearing. Vision and hearing screening is a 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.

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 a half years of age. We encourage you to use your knowledge of your child to decide at what age you 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.

Early childhood developmental 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

Yes. All Minnesota children are required to participate in Early Childhood Screening. It is recommended at age three and is required before entry into 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.