School Readiness

Child Development

To understand your child's development, complete the right Looksee Checklist® for their age.

• The Looksee Checklist® (formerly Nipissing District Developmental Screen®-NDDS) is a short and simple checklist that reviews your child's growth and development at a specific age (up to 6 years old). 
• Follow the instructions for the Looksee Checklist® and if you need more help or support to complete it, please call a Public Health Nurse see the number below. 

For more information on a child’s development please visit Best Start - The On Track Guide (PDF). 

For more information on keeping your child’s teeth healthy please visit our Dental Health webpage.

Free Dental Screenings - Ottawa Public Health Neighbourhood Health and Wellness Hubs 

Healthy Smiles Ontario 1-844-296-6306

Canada Dental Care Plan 1-833-537-4342

Ottawa Dental Society Find a dentist near you 613-523-3876, Emergency: 613-523-4185

To protect children from disease outbreaks, the "Immunization of School Pupils Act (ISPA)" requires that all students in Ontario have proof of immunization according to the provincial schedule.

Parents are responsible for reporting their child’s immunizations to Ottawa Public Health.

For more information please visit our Immunization webpage.

It is important to take your child to an optometrist to get an eye exam every year. Vision problems can affect learning, social development, self-esteem and hand-eye coordination.

Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) covers the cost of one eye exam every 12 months for children under the age of 19 years. Parents should book an eye exam for their child before starting school.

To find an optometrist please visit the Ontario Association of Optometrists .

Children starting Junior Kindergarten are eligible for the Eye See…Eye Learn® program.  All children participating in the Eye See…Eye Learn® program who need a pair of glasses will receive one pair free of charge.  For more information, please visit Eye See…Eye Learn® .  

For more information on please visit our Visual Health webpage.

Communication skills are very important for learning in school and in life. Children should be talking by 2 years of age and have 100 or more words. When starting school they should be able to speak well enough for others to understand them most of the time. 

Remember it is not recommended to take a "wait and see" approach.

To check your child’s speech and language skills, complete the online screening tool, First Words Communication Checkup.  

For more information on speech and language please visit the First Words webpage.

At four years of age, children will be able to talk about many types of feelings, are better able to manage impulses, are interested in new experiences, shows empathy for others and is more even tempered and cooperative.

As a parent it is important to stay calm and be a positive role model. Maintaining a deep nurturing connection with your child continues to be a priority. As much as possible, resist the urge to punish and use positive discipline. 

A close relationship between parents and children is critical to a child’s emotional health. You know your child better than anyone else.

Don’t hesitate to get help. Remember it is no longer recommended to take a "wait and see" approach.

For more information, please visit our Children and Mental Health webpage.

Cognitive development is a child’s ability to think, understand, communicate, remember, imagine and figure out what will happen next. 

It develops over time as your child interacts with the world around them. Provide a variety of activities, experiences, language to support your child’s cognitive development. 

Play based learning is best for preschool children.

Here are some ideas to support a child’s cognitive development:

• Attend a playgroup or library story time
• Play simple games like ‘Snakes and ladders’ or ‘Go fish’
• Read books daily
• Try building activities with blocks or cardboard boxes
• Sing songs that have dancing and hand actions
• Have a child help you with cooking such as measuring, counting and naming healthy ingredients.

For more information, please visit the Centre of Excellence for Early Childhood Development (CEECD) website.

A good night's sleep is important for optimal growth and development. It also helps a child learn and can reduce problems with behaviour and mental health.

Having a regular bedtime routine with your child can make it easier for everyone. 

According to the Canadian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines for Children and Youth, children 3-4 years old need 10 to 13 hours of good quality sleep per day (including naps).

Sleep is important for parents too. For more information, please visit the National Sleep Foundation or the Canadian Sleep Society websites. 

You can also visit our Sleep webpage.

Growing children need healthy food. Follow the tips provided by Ottawa Public Health Dieticians on our Healthy Eating web page.

Screen time including smartphones, tablets, television, and video games should be one hour per day or less.

For more information about screen time, visit the Caring for Kids website.

For more information, visit our Physical activity and play webpage.

Children starting kindergarten need to be able to dress themselves and use the bathroom without help. 

Start early to teach your child how to dress and undress. Provide lots of opportunities to practice at home. If possible, choose clothing that is easy for them to get on and off and to fasten and unfasten. 

Most children start toilet learning around the age of 2, but this is not always the case. Some children start later and that is ok. Toilet learning can take up to 6 months before your child is out of diapers. Be patient, accidents will happen. By the time children start junior kindergarten, they should be mostly accident free during the day. It may take longer for them to stay dry at night. 

For more information, please visit our Toilet Learning webpage.

• Aline-Chrétien Health Hub - Youth and Family Counselling 

• Crossroads Children’s Mental Health Centre 613-723-1623
• Centre le CAP 613-789-2240
• Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO): CHEO Access Team (613) 737-2757,  1-800-565-4839 
• Coalition of Community Health and Resource Centres of Ottawa - local CHRC contacts
• ConnexOntario: Addiction, Mental Health, and Problem Gambling Services 1-866-531-2600
• Family Services Ottawa 613-725-3601
• Youth Services Bureau of Ottawa 613-260-2360
• Parents’ Lifelines of Eastern Ontario 613-321-3211, 1-855-775-7005

Helpful Mental Health web links

• Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health (Ottawa Public Health)
• Mental Health (Ottawa Public Health) 
• eMentalHealth
• Children's Mental Health Ontario
• Canadian Pediatric Society: Caring for Kids
• Canadian Mental Health Association Ottawa
• Psychology Foundation of Canada 

• Best Start - The On Track Guide (PDF): School Readiness Section
• Centre of Excellence for Early Childhood Development: School Readiness

• Children's Aid Society of Ottawa: If you have a concern about the safety and/or well-being of a child or youth under 18, please call 613- 747-7800

• EarlyON child and family Centres
• Local school boards:
  • Ottawa-Carleton District School Board 
  • Ottawa Catholic School Board 
  • Conseil des écoles publiques de l'est de l'Ontario
  • Conseil des écoles catholiques du centre est
• Ontario Ministry of Education
• Ottawa Public Library

• Brain Story Certification Course
• Pathway to School: These resources support children in their transition to school

• 18-Month Pathway: These resources support children in their healthy growth and development

• Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health
• Center on the Developing Child, Harvard University