Toddlers to get free checks at parties

Health workers have come up with a way of making sure youngsters are fighting fit – a monthly check-up party for all toddlers as they celebrate their third birthday.

The health visiting team for the Sure Start programme at Saffron Children's Centre, Leicester, is throwing a monthly birthday party for children turning three, so the team can complete as many of the check-ups as possible in just one day.

The idea is the brainchild of family health visitor Catherine McNicholl.

She said: "We wanted a fun way to carry out these important assessments in the quickest and simplest format possible.

"Parents and children have both been really supportive and, most importantly, the scheme is enabling us to identify any possible issues with the child's development much quicker."

So far, more than 100 children have been invited to parties at the centre, with about 20 attending each event.

Youngsters are treated to games, healthy food and drink, and a special birthday cake, allowing assessments to be carried out "in a fun and non-threatening way".

Children are given a "party passport" which needs to be stamped in five areas – height and weight, speech and language, fine manipulative skills, social skills and growth motor skills. Completion of all five stations qualifies the child to receive a special goody bag at the end.