Well Child Tamariki Ora — South Canterbury

The Well Child Tamariki Ora programme is a series of health visits and support that are free to all families for tamariki (children) from around 6 weeks up to 5 years of age. The B4 School Check is the final free Well Child health and development check, offered to all tamariki 4 to 5 years of age.


Contact us

Contacts for the B4 School Check (B4SC) in South Canterbury are available by phone. 

Well Child Tamariki Ora, B4 School Check and key contacts — Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora (internal link)


Where to find us

Well Child Tamariki Ora in South Canterbury operates from: 

North Entrance
Community Health Hub
Talbot Park
156 Otipua Road
Timaru 


Services we provide

In South Canterbury, the B4SC is delivered by public health nurses. It is offered in Timaru and all surrounding areas in South Canterbury.

The B4SC is a nationwide Ministry of Health programme to ensure tamariki are prepared for school. The aim is to promote health and wellbeing in preschool tamariki and identify behavioural, developmental or other health concerns that may adversely affect their ability to learn at school.

The B4SC includes a:

  • child health questionnaire
  • vision and hearing screening test
  • check of oral health
  • height and weight measurement
  • discussion about immunisation
  • developmental assessment (PEDS)
  • behavioural assessment (SDQP/SDQT) — a questionnaire completed by parents and teachers in discussion with health providers.

Referrals will be made if problems are identified.

The B4 School Check (internal link)


Referral information

Referrals are accepted from general practitioners, paediatricians, Plunket, CYFS, early childhood centres or you may refer yourself.

To refer yourself or for any enquiries about the B4SC programme, contact the B4SC administrator — phone 03 687 2319.