Maternal and Child Health Visits
When was the last time your child visited the Maternal and Child Health Nurse?
The Victorian Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Service
The Victorian Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Service is a free universal primary health service available for all Victorian families with children from birth to school age. The MCH Service consists of three components including the:
- Universal MCH program
- Enhanced MCH program
- 24-hour MCH Line.
What maternal and child health centres provide
Maternal and child health nurses will work with your family to help you care for your child until they are ready to start school. You will visit your nurse at 10 key ages and stages in your child’s development. These local centre visits will help identify any issues and concerns so that steps can be taken in early childhood to deal with them. Maternal and child health nurses can:
- give information, support and advice on a variety of topics (including parenting, development and learning, child health, family health and wellbeing, safety, immunisation, breastfeeding, nutrition and family planning)
- monitor your child’s growth and development in a series of one-on-one consultations at specific times in your child’s early years
- help with sleeping, feeding and behaviour problems
- organise parents’ groups where you can get information and have the chance to meet other parents in the local area
- tell you about other local support services
- organise additional activities based on your family’s needs (for example, arranging home visits when you are unable to visit a centre)
- help to contact specialist services if necessary (such as early parenting centres)
- offer additional support and services to families experiencing difficulties.
What happens at my three and a half year maternal and child health visit?
When your child turns three-and-a-half, it is time for their final key age and stage appointment with your maternal and child health nurse.
At this visit, your child's growth, health and development will be reviewed and your nurse will discuss their kindergarten enrolment. They will be given a vision screening to check their clarity of vision, using the Melbourne Initial Screening Test (MIST).
You will also be asked to answer My Health, Learning and Development – green book. It is under the Parents' Evaluation of Development Status (PEDS) section. Try to complete these questions before your visit.
This visit will focus on:
- addressing the PEDS questions in your green book
- kindergarten enrolment
- helping your child to eat healthy food
- taking care of your child's teeth
- your child’s vision
- how to be sun smart and water safe
- how play helps learning and development
- family relationships and wellbeing
- immunisations.
Remember, you and your nurse can talk about other issues or concerns if they arise.
For more information please visit:
Maternal and child health – visit 10 - three and a half year visit - Better Health Channel