Health Checks at School

pollyanna24

Is it normal for these to be done at school without informing the parent?

My 5yr old is in reception and she recently came home from school saying that they had a nurse in the school who measured them, weighed them and did hearing and eye checks.

All good, but I was never informed and nor have I been told of any results.

Is this normal?

stebiz

It's very normal and nothing to worry about but we were told and most Mums (or Dads) went in on that day to sit with their child and speak to the nurse.

jbainbridge

I think we got a letter - as you are asked if your child is already being seen by an optician etc. Check with the school?

You should get a letter giving some results - in the post - not from the school.

Mojisola

pollyanna24 wrote: »

All good, but I was never informed and nor have I been told of any results.

Are you sure there isn't a letter from the school down the bottom of her bag or in a pocket somewhere?

Xaniwoop

Yes my DD had all of these last term in reception although not on the same day. They came home with notes in their bookbags telling us what was going to happen, there was no consent form but we were told we could withdraw our child if we wanted. With the eye and hearing tests they came out with the results on the day, the weighing and measuring took a lot longer and the results were posted to your home. we weren't invited to go in with the children I think 60-120 parents also going in would have caused chaos!

balletshoes

Mojisola wrote: »

Are you sure there isn't a letter from the school down the bottom of her bag or in a pocket somewhere?

i think this is likely - or at least that communications were sent out somehow by the school, prior to the tests.

We were informed beforehand, invited in if we wanted to go, as the school operated a rough appointment system when the HV/nurse was in doing the tests. If we were present, we were given the height/weight results straightaway, but all the kids got their results home from school in writing too - I'd say a couple of weeks after the tests as I recall.

j.e.j.

You should have been informed, - the parent has the right to withdraw the child from school health checks if they want to. (Not saying you'd want to, but the choice should at least be given to you)

Counting_Pennies_2

Yes totally normal.


This is the best way to pick up any issues with the children.


It is amazing how many children start to wear glasses and hearing aids after these checks are done at school.


Much better to have these checks, it is really the first diagnostic tool schools have to assist them in any learning difficulties.

jellyhead

Yes it's normal A dentist came in while my son was in reception too.

There was a letter at some point, but iirc it only referred to the children being weighed, and you can refuse it.

As for other checks, we just got a letter afterwards, I think. I remember one saying that the dentist had been while my child was absent, and that if he didn't already have regular check-ups that I should find him a dentist. I know an 18 year old and his 15 year old sister who say they don't think they have ever seen a dentist - so I agree with these health checks, although perhaps the dentist thing depends on where you live.

The height and weight letter took ages to arrive, You can always talk to the school nurse if you are concerned about anything - ask the office for the contact number.

FBaby

I was informed in year 6 but not reception. So so grateful for these checks though as this is when it was picked up that both my children had unusual squints that no-one had notice before yet severe enough that DD ended up needing surgery.

Mrs_Soup

We were told it would happen in Reception but not which day and were not invited in. I think we got all the results at the end of the year with their report (if there was a problem eg needing to see an optician I think those were notified earlier).