KEY VISITS - AGES & STAGES

Visits to a Maternal and Child Health Centre at key ages are recommended to review the health, growth and development of every Victorian pre-school child. Your child's progress is recorded in your Child Health Record (the blue book), which is provided to you at the time of your child's birth.

Following discharge from maternity services, Maternal & Child Health offer a home visit to all families with a new baby.

Key visit checks are encouraged at two weeks, four weeks, eight weeks, four months, 12 months, 18 months and 3.5 years.  Additional visits can be arranged by your Maternal & Child Health Nurse if indicated. 

Immunisation between 2 months and 18 months of age is offered according to the National Immunisation Program schedule as part of your Maternal & Child Health consultation.

All visits are by appointment. Contact 5320 8220 to arrange an appointment.

In Victoria from July 2009 the Maternal & Child Health framework provides a guide to the health promotion activities offered at each key age visit.  Below is a link to the outline of the health promotion topics that will be discussed during your child's visit. Follow this link for further details on the key ages and stages visits.

From 4 months of age parents are requested to complete a short questionnaire - The Parents Evaluation of Developmental Status (PEDS) at each key visit.  This alerts the Maternal & Child Health Nurse to any concerns you may have about your child's health, development, learning or behaviour.

For further information contact your local Maternal and Child Health Centre (see Family & Children). 

Key Visits

Evidence based written health information is distributed at each key age and stage consultation.

This information is designed to support a facilitated discussion with parents about key health promotion messages. It will also ensure that consistent quality written information is provided to parents across the state.

Click here to see the key health information provided at key visits.