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Have there been any changes since 2023 to the 12 assessments, including screenings and whānau support from birth through to school entry, provided under the Well Child Tamariki Ora programme; if so, what are they and when were they made? and 2 other questions

Answered 18491, 18494, 18495 (2026)
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Asked by

Willow-Jean Prime

List MP · Labour Party

Questions

  • 18491

    Have there been any changes since 2023 to the 12 assessments, including screenings and whānau support from birth through to school entry, provided under the Well Child Tamariki Ora programme; if so, what are they and when were they made?

  • 18494

    What work, if any, has been undertaken since 2023 to improve the Well Child Tamariki Ora programme under the Kahu Taurima | Maternity and Early Years Programme?

  • 18495

    What changes, if any, have been made to the B4 School Check since 2023?

Answered by

Hon Casey Costello

List MP · NZ First Party · Associate Minister of Health

Answer

I am advised that since 1 July 2025 the neurodevelopmental screening tool used as part of Well Child Tamariki Ora assessments from 3-4 months of age has been updated from the Parents’ Evaluation of Developmental Status (PEDS) to the Parents’ Evaluation of Developmental Status – Revised (PEDS R). I am further advised that since 2023, work to strengthen the Well Child Tamariki Ora programme has included undertaking time limited prototypes to: • test a new screening tool, the Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ-3) • test proposed changes to the Well Child clinical schedule, and • generate learning about timing, frequency, and experience. I am also advised improvements to the B4 School Check database have been made, including security enhancements to reduce cyber and information security risks.