Developmental screening is a procedure designed to identify children who should receive more intensive assessment or diagnosis for potential developmental delays. Developmental screening allows daycare providers and parents the ability to receive a snapshot of a child’s development.

Our interview with Dr. Pio Andreotti, NYS Licensed Psychologist, discusses the importance of developmental screening in the daycare centers and preschools:

OwnADaycare: Why do preschoolers undergo developmental screening? Are all children screened? At what age are they screened?

Dr. Andreotti: A preschooler will undergo a screening when there is some concern regarding their development.  Typically, parents notice that their child is not walking by a certain age or that their language is not developing appropriately.  Also, many times, schools and daycares will recommend to a parent that their child be screened due to concerns about language, behavior, or socialization.  Not all children are evaluated.  A child is referred for a developmental screening only when there is a concern regarding a delay in development.  Preschool evaluations typically occur when a child is between 3 and 5 years of age. (more…)

Does your daycare center participate in developmental screening? Screening is the process by which a brief, well-validated, standardized tool is administered among young children to aid in the identification of children who may be at risk of a delay or disorder. Most screening tools take only 10-20 minutes to administer per child.

A child in your daycare center will undergo screening if there is some concern about their development. Typically, parents notice developmental problems. For example, they may notice their child is not walking by a certain age or that there are language development issues. Preschools and daycare centers may also recommend to a parent that their child be screened due to concerns about behavior, language or socialization.

Not all children are evaluated. A child is referred for a developmental screening only when there is a concern regarding a delay in development. Preschool evaluations typically occur when a child is between 3 and 5 years of age.

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