What is Summer Screening?

Head Start requires a number of physical, developmental and mental health screenings. Below you will find an explanation of each screening, when

they are due, why we do them and how you can prepare your child for the screenings. Parents are

responsible for obtaining the screenings marked with an asterisk (*).

Hearing ScreeningWhat is it? Benefits to your child You Can Prepare Your

Child By…Deadline

Your child will be asked to listen to a series of

sounds and tones. They will be asked to raise their hand when they hear the tones.

Hearing tests can identify early hearing loss so that

children can receive necessary assistance.

telling them they’ll get to wear headphones and

listen to different sounds. This does not hurt and

many kids think this is fun.

Annually/Within 45 days of child’s

first day of school

Vision ScreeningWhat is it? Benefits to your child You Can Prepare Your

Child By…Deadline

Your child will be asked to identify objects of a certain size and at a certain distance to

determine their ability to see.

Vision tests can identify early vision loss so that

children can receive necessary assistance.

telling your child that they’ll just have to look at pictures and tell the

adult what they see. The adult will ask them to hold a cover over one

eye at a time. The adult might shine a small

flashlight in their eyes. This does not hurt!

Annually/Within 45 days of child’s

first day of school

Early Screening InventoryWhat is it? Benefits to your child You Can Prepare Your

Child By…Deadline

The ESI helps to identify children who may need

special education services in order to

perform successfully in school. This screening

is done only for children ages 3 to 6.

Screening enables teachers, administrators and parents to seek help much sooner for a child, if

needed.

telling them that a teacher will play some games with them at a table, probably

in the hallway or in a room outside the classroom.

Within 45 days of your child’s first day of school.

Blood PressureWhat is it? Benefits to your child You Can Prepare Your

Child By…Deadline

The nurse or doctor will put a cuff around your

child’s arm and pump a small bulb to tighten the cuff. This allows

the examiner to measure the amount of

pressure the child’s blood is flowing at.

Although it’s unusual for a child to have high blood pressure, some children

have been identified early with high blood pressure

readings. Early identification can prevent future health problems.

explaining that the nurse or doctor will put a special piece of cloth around their arm. Then they’ll pump

the bulb to make the piece of cloth get tighter. Make

sure to explain to your child that this will not hurt.

Annually (part of physical exam)

Within 90 days of your child’s first day of school

Physical Exam*What is it? Benefits to your child You Can Prepare Your

Child By…Deadline

A doctor will listen to your child’s heart, look

in their eyes, ears, nose, mouth and

evaluate your child’s physical growth and

development. A Head Start staff member may take height and weight.

Physical exams can identify health concerns that might interfere with your child’s development

and ability to learn.

telling them the doctor will look at parts of their

bodies that nobody else is allowed to touch or look at. The doctor’s job is to make sure children are healthy and growing like they’re

supposed to.

Annually/Within 30 days of child’s

first day of school

Ages & Stages Questionnaire (ASQ:SE)*

What is it? Benefits to your child You Can Prepare Your Child By…

Deadline

This measures the child’s social skills and emotional

development. This screening will help identify behavioral

problems and concerns that a parent or teacher may have. Both parent

and teacher complete this questionnaire.

This screening can help children receive help

they need and problems so problems do not get

worse.

telling them they might see teachers watching

them or writing. It’s the teacher’s job to do this to make sure kids learn and

grow.

Annually/Within 45 days of child’s

first day of school

Dental Exam*What is it? Benefits to your child You Can Prepare Your Child

By…Deadline

A dentist or dental hygienist will clean your child’s teeth, perform x-

rays and sometimes give fluoride treatments.

Dental exams c an identify dental problems so that

children can receive necessary assistance.

telling your child that they will lie back in a chair and open

their mouth wide so the dentist can look at their teeth. The dentist will use special tools

and might tap on their teeth to make them shiny and clean.

This doesn’t usually hurt, but if it does, it will be over quick.

Annually/Within 90 days of child’s first day of

school

Lead Screening*What is it? Benefits to your child You Can Prepare Your

Child By…Deadline

A simple blood test (finger prick or sample from the child’s vein) to determine your child’s blood lead levels. If

your child’s blood lead level is too high, the

doctor may want to do a second test and will

ask you questions about the child’s home

environment.

High lead levels can be damaging to your child’s physical development, learning abilities and

behavior. Annual screening, treatment and prevention

can help avoid these problems.

Telling them the nurse or doctor will need to take a

little bit of blood from their finger or arm. This might hurt a little bit, but it will be over

quickly. They will get a band-aid when it’s over.

Annually/Within 90 days of child’s first day of

school

Hemoglobin*What is it? Benefits to your child You Can Prepare Your

Child By…Deadline

Checks your child’s iron level. If iron levels are

low, the doctor may prescribe iron supplements.

Iron is necessary for good health and growth. Low iron may cause a child to be irritable, sleepy and

more prone to infections and illness.

Telling them the nurse or doctor will need to take a

little bit of blood from their finger or arm. This might hurt a little bit, but it will be over quickly. They will get a band-aid when it’s

over.

Annually/Within 90 days of child’s

first day of school

Denver What is it? Benefits to your child You Can Prepare Your

Child By…Deadline

A trained teacher will administer this test to help

determine if your child's development is within the

normal range. This screening is only done for children under 3 years of

age.

Screening enables teachers, administrators and parents to seek help much sooner for a child, if

needed.

telling them that a teacher will play some games with them at a table, probably

in the hallway or in a room outside the classroom.

Annually/Within 45 days of child’s first day of

school

Devereaux Early Childhood Assessment (DECA)

What is it? Benefits to your child You Can Prepare Your Child By…

Deadline

This program helps teachers and parents

learn more about children’s social and emotional health and

resilience, and identify the strengths and

potential areas of growth for all of the children in

the center.

Gives the Mental Health Specialist, Teacher and

parent more information about the child’s behavior

and social/emotional development. If there are concerns, your child will

receive the help he or she needs.

telling them they might see teachers watching

them or writing. It’s the teacher’s job to do this to make sure kids learn and

grow.

Only done if the Mental Health Specialist and

parent feel further evaluations is needed.

Immunizations*What is it? Benefits to your

childYou Can Prepare Your Child By… Deadline

A series of shots over a period of months or years to prevent the

development of certain infectious diseases.

Immunizations help young bodies build their own defenses

against disease.

Remaining calm but firm-your attitude will influence your child’s. If you are calm, this will help lessen your child’s fears. Assure your child that while the

shot may prick them, it will be over quickly. Offer your child as much physical comfort and support as

possible.

Before the first day of school