Our services
What we do
The right care — at the right time — for the whole family.
Families come to us for two main reasons: routine reassurance (when everything seems on track) and support for specific concerns (when something doesn’t feel quite right). Our approach is calm, thorough and practical — with clear explanations and next steps you can act on.
We take time to understand your child in context — their development, health history, family routines, and the everyday realities of parenting. When extra support is needed, we help you navigate options and referrals without unnecessary appointments or repeated assessments.
Child Health & Development Checks
Our checks support children from infancy through school-age and adolescence. Depending on age and needs, this may include growth and physical wellbeing, developmental review, and screening such as vision and hearing (where appropriate). Families receive a clear summary of findings, plus practical guidance on what to watch and what to do next.
How a check works
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Consent & preparation
Consent & Preparation
Families receive clear information and provide consent before the check.
Parents are warmly invited to attend. If this isn’t possible, your child’s preferred educator supports them during the assessment, and we phone you afterwards with feedback and next steps.
Flexible, respectful and easy to fit into family life.
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On-site health & development check
On-Site Health & Development Check
Our experienced nurses complete a comprehensive check at your child’s centre in a calm, familiar setting.
We assess growth, development, physical health, emotional wellbeing and school readiness skills — using evidence-based tools and clinical expertise.
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Clear feedback & practical next steps
Clear Feedback & Practical Next Steps
You receive a summary of findings, explained clearly — without jargon.
If support is needed, we outline exactly what to do next and provide practical strategies you can use straight away.
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Integrated care — if needed
Integrated Care — If Needed
If further review is required, we coordinate it carefully.
With Nurse Practitioners, GPs and trusted allied health partners as part of our network, we can often provide review in-house, support shared care, and avoid unnecessary duplication.
The right care — at the right time.
Understanding your child’s development
Every child develops at their own pace. Milestones are guides — not deadlines. They help us notice strengths and identify when extra support may be helpful.
Below are examples of skills children develop over time. These are not checklists, but helpful indicators of growth and learning.
How we assess development
We combine parent insight, structured screening tools and clinical observation. No single checklist tells the whole story — it’s the combination that gives us clarity.
ASQ
A parent-completed developmental screening tool.
Assesses:
- Communication
- Gross motor
- Fine motor
- Problem solving
- Personal-social
Helps us decide whether reassurance, monitoring or further assessment is needed.
Brigance
A structured screening tool used by health and education professionals.
Assesses:
- Language
- Early literacy and numeracy
- Motor skills
- Self-help skills
Provides a clear snapshot of development, particularly for school readiness.
Brigance IED III
A comprehensive, individually administered standardised assessment used when deeper clarification is required.
Assesses:
- Receptive and expressive language
- Early literacy
- Early numeracy
- Fine motor and visual-motor skills
- Academic readiness
- Social and adaptive functioning
As a standardised assessment, it allows structured comparison with age expectations.
Used alongside parent insight, educator observation (with consent) and clinical assessment to guide clear next steps.
Ongoing care, follow-up and allied health support
Sometimes families need more than a single appointment — they need a plan and the right supports around them. Alongside follow-up appointments, you can book directly with our Exercise Physiologist for support with strength, movement, fitness and physical wellbeing (including support for day-to-day function, confidence and participation).
As our team grows, additional allied health services may be added — and we’ll help you choose the option that best fits your child’s needs.
Call 1300 704 741 to speak to one of our friendly staff about booking an appointment or to find out more by clicking the link below.
Paediatric Clinic
What we commonly support
- Developmental and learning concerns
- Behavioural and emotional regulation difficulties
- ADHD assessment and shared-care medication management
- Sleep, feeding and growth concerns (all ages)
- Asthma, allergies and eczema
- School-based challenges and attention difficulties
- Adolescent health presentations
- Childhood immunisations and catch-up schedules
Immunisation
Working with your other clinicians
Bee Calm Clinic
Gentle vascular access & needle anxiety care
- Children with needle phobia
- Difficult venous access
- Anxiety around blood tests or procedures
- Immunisations for highly anxious children
- Blood collection requiring advanced techniques
Call 1300 704 741 to speak to one of our friendly staff, or book an appointment online using the button below.
Exercise Physiology
Movement support for growing bodies — and the whole family
- Gross motor development
- Strength, balance and coordination
- Return to sport after injury
- Chronic health conditions
- Hypermobility and low tone
- Family-based health and fitness goals
Call 1300 704 741 to speak to one of our friendly staff or book an appointment online using the button below.
Frequently asked questions
Where do the checks take place?
Health and development checks are completed onsite at the early learning service in a quiet, familiar space provided by the centre.
Children are seen during their usual day, which minimises disruption for families and educators. We work closely with educators to ensure the timing suits the child’s routine and wellbeing.
Families are always welcome to attend if they would like to be present.
What is included in a check?
Our checks are comprehensive, evidence-informed and age-appropriate.
They include:
- Growth assessment (height, weight, BMI plotted on standard growth charts)
- Developmental screening using validated tools (e.g. ASQ)
- Observation of:
- Gross and fine motor skills
- Communication (receptive and expressive language)
- Social and emotional development
- Early learning skills
- Self-help skills
- Vision and hearing observations
- General physical assessment (skin, respiratory, oral health, movement and gait)
- Review of sleep, nutrition, behaviour or other parent concerns (if raised)
Where appropriate, further assessment may be completed by a Senior Clinician or Nurse Practitioner.
What part do educators play?
Educators play a vital role in understanding how a child functions in a group learning environment.
Before the check, we invite educators to share observations about:
- Learning strengths
- Social interactions
- Emotional regulation
- Any developmental or behavioural concerns
On the day, we also observe the child within the learning environment where appropriate.
After the clinic day, we provide feedback that educators can incorporate into programming, particularly where simple strategies or scaffolding approaches may help.
What will we receive afterwards?
Families receive:
- A written summary of the check
- Clear information about developmental strengths
- Practical strategies (if helpful)
- Recommendations if follow-up is suggested
If there are concerns that require further discussion, a phone or telehealth appointment is offered with a Senior Clinician or Nurse Practitioner.
Our aim is always to communicate clearly, respectfully and without alarm — focusing on what helps next.
What happens if a concern is identified?
If a concern is identified:
- We discuss the findings with the family.
- A Senior Clinician or Nurse Practitioner reviews the information.
- Where appropriate, we:
- Provide strategies for home and centre
- Arrange further assessment
- Support shared care with the child’s GP
- Refer to trusted allied health providers
- Coordinate with paediatricians where needed
- A key part of our model is that Nurse Practitioners provide in-house clinical review before external referral, ensuring families receive timely, appropriate next steps.
Is there a cost?
Flying Start funded clinic days
These are supported under the SA Government’s Flying Start reforms and delivered in eligible services. Families do not pay for the check.
Centre-funded clinic days
Centres may choose to privately fund health and development checks as part of their wellbeing program. In this model, services are delivered onsite with the same clinical governance and quality standards.
The care model, team and clinical standards remain the same across both.
Will we see the same clinician each time?
Yes — wherever possible, we provide continuity of clinicians to each centre.
Our team includes:
- Enrolled Nurses with paediatric experience
- Registered Nurses with postgraduate qualifications in child and family health
- Nurse Practitioners with expertise in paediatrics and primary health care
- GPs who support shared care arrangements
- Allied health professionals within our network
Continuity allows us to build strong relationships with children, families and educators across the year.
Who do we contact about clinic days?
For all clinic scheduling, consent or operational enquiries, please contact:
Little Grove – Child, Adolescent and Family Health
healthchecks@littlegrove.com.au
1300 704 741
For clinical questions, our Senior Clinician or Nurse Practitioner can provide guidance as needed.
Still have a question?
Contact usNot sure what you need?
Call us and one of our team will point you to the right service — or send an enquiry and we will come back to you within two business days.