Routine tests and screening

Although it isn’t possible to screen your newborn baby for every illness or disease, in the UK, there are certain tests and examinations that can be offered to look for some medical conditions.

There are routine tests that are offered to all pregnant women, but you should also talk to your GP about your family history in case they suggest some additional screenings or tests. If you have symptoms or problems which suggest pregnancy complications, various other examinations and tests may also be advised.

• Pregnancy screening aims to detect potential problems early so that you can get treatment or early diagnosis. Medical professionals will discuss pregnancy screening with you.
• The newborn baby check is a physical examination of a child as soon as they are born. This is done by a doctor.
• Newborn babies will also have their hearing checked – this could be done when the baby is born or very shortly afterwards.
• Midwives work with a family before birth and through the early post-natal period, focusing on individual needs. Midwives will do a ‘blood spot’ test, where they prick the baby’s heel to take a sample of blood. This is usually around 5 days after birth.
• Your GP will be notified of the birth of your child. You need to make an appointment to visit the GP within 6-8 weeks of the birth. At this appointment, the GP will do a post-natal check which will focus on the individual needs of the mother and baby.

Progress checks

Young children will be offered several progress checks and reviews in the early years (ages 0-5).

Health and development reviews

You will be offered regular health and development reviews (health visitor checks) for your baby until they are around two. These are to support you and your baby, and make sure their development is on track.

Two-year-old progress checks

The early years foundation stage (EYFS) is a framework that all early years providers, including childminders, nurseries and pre-schools, follow. It sets standards and key areas of focus for your children’s development and learning up to the age of five, when they enter key stage one.

Early years providers (childminders, nurseries and other settings) must carry out an EYFS progress check (often called a two-year-old progress check) for the children in their care. This will take place between the ages of two and three.

This check will assess your child’s progress and identify strengths and any areas of concern. They will discuss your child’s progress with you and you will also get a written report.

If a setting is concerned about your child’s progress, they will request permission from you to discuss this with the health visiting team and possibly consider an integrated review.

Integrated review

An integrated review combines the EYFS foundation stage progress check, and the health and development review. It allows the health visiting team and early years practitioners to work together with you, to best identify your child’s needs, and get a clear picture of their progress.

The early years and foundation stage profile

The early years and foundation stage (EYFS) profile summarises and describes children’s achievements and progress. The EYFS profile assessment happens in the final term of the year your child turns 5, and no later than 29 June in that term. It gives:

• the child’s levels of attainment in relation to the 17 ELGs detailed in the early years foundation stage
• a short narrative describing the child’s three characteristics of effective learning – playing and exploring, active learning and creating and thinking critically

Practitioners’ assessments are mainly based on observing your child’s daily activities and events. They look for the learning that your child demonstrates spontaneously, independently and consistently in a range of contexts.