18491 (2026). Hon Willow-Jean Prime to the Associate Minister of Health

18491 (2026). Hon Willow-Jean Prime to the Associate Minister of Health: Have there been any changes since 2023 to the 12 assessments, including screenings and whānau support from birth through to school entry, provided under the Well Child Tamariki Ora programme; if so, what are they and when were they made?

Hon Casey Costello: I am advised that since 1 July 2025 the neurodevelopmental screening tool used as part of Well Child Tamariki Ora assessments from 3-4 months of age has been updated from the Parents’ Evaluation of Developmental Status (PEDS) to the Parents’ Evaluation of Developmental Status – Revised (PEDS R). I am further advised that since 2023, work to strengthen the Well Child Tamariki Ora programme has included undertaking time limited prototypes to: • test a new screening tool, the Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ-3) • test proposed changes to the Well Child clinical schedule, and • generate learning about timing, frequency, and experience. I am also advised improvements to the B4 School Check database have been made, including security enhancements to reduce cyber and information security risks.