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Infant and Child Development Information for Healthcare Providers

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Halton Region supports physician practices with a number of tools and services targeted to supporting families with toddlers and preschoolers.


How to refer patients


Early and ongoing developmental monitoring

Early assessment and intervention is an evidence-based strategy to address developmental concerns and improve outcomes for a child.

Healthcare providers can

  • Monitor a child’s development at regular intervals,
  • Refer to community programs or intervention services for early developmental support and intervention,
  • Encourage patients to regularly monitor their child's development using the Looksee Checklists.

Looksee Checklist (formerly NDDS)

The Looksee Checklist is a developmental tool for parents/caregivers and healthcare providers to help monitor a child’s development from 1 month to 6 years of age. It also provides a list of activities that support child development for each age and stage. Use the appropriate Looksee Checklist to engage parents/caregivers in a conversation about their child’s development. The checklist is available in multiple languages.

You can order a supply of the Looksee Checklists for your practice online or by calling 311.

Order Looksee Checklists

How and when to refer patients for developmental concerns

No developmental concerns

No developmental concerns identified by parents, on the Early Years Check-In (external link) or indicated on the Looksee Checklist (external link) or RBR-ON (external PDF):

  • repeat developmental monitoring at the next visit;
    and
  • provide families with the Looksee Checklist to complete for ongoing developmental monitoring;
    and
  • encourage families to attend community programs that provide enriching child development opportunities.

Developmental concern

Answered “no” to any questions on the Looksee Checklist (external link) OR any risks identified on the RBR-ON (external PDF) OR any concerns based on observation, Early Years Check-In (external link) or discussion with parent/caregiver:


The Enhanced 18-Month Well-Baby Visit

The Enhanced 18-Month Well-Baby Visit is a critical time to determine the developmental progress of a child. All children should receive an Enhanced 18-Month Well-Baby Visit (using the 18-Month Looksee Checklist and Rourke Baby Record) to ensure they are developmentally on-track.

Billing code for the Enhanced 18-Month Well-Baby Visit

  • GP/FP- A002
  • Paediatrics- A268

Halton continuing medical education webinar

On January 24, 2024, Halton Region Public Health hosted a webinar on the importance of early identification, intervention and referral in child development. The focus is on the Enhanced 18-Month Well-Baby Visit in primary care.

Continuing medical education webinar recording (YouTube video)

Early Years Check-in Tool

This a simple, online resource designed to support parents and caregivers of children aged 18-months to 6 years old. This tool consists of 11 items related to social, emotional, language, movement, thinking and learning skills. Discover what steps parents can take to help foster their child’s development. Have parents complete the Early Years Check-in starting at 18-months old!

Early Years Check-in online resource (external link)

Resources, programs and services for infant and child development

  • HaltonParents is a team of public health nurses available to answer any questions you or your patients have about breastfeeding, pregnancy, parenting, mental health supports and more! In a world where parents have access to an abundance of information, evidence-based and quality information is more important than ever. Encourage your patients to call 311 or email haltonparents@halton.ca.
  • HaltonParents eBulletins are newsletters emailed to parents/caregivers on a regular basis until their child is 4 years of age. They provide helpful tips about topics such as feeding and nutrition, health and safety, growth and development and parenting. Register for ebulletin at halton.ca.
  • Early Years Check-in Tool (external link) is a simple tool of 11 items related to social, emotional, language, movement, thinking and learning skills. Discover what steps parents can take to help foster their child’s development.
  • Play & Learn (external link) provides fun games and activities that parents and caregivers can do with their child to help them learn, grow and thrive. Once enrolled, families will receive an email or text weekly with suggested activities based on their child’s age.
  • Nutrition Support For information on nutrition and healthy eating, you and your patients can speak with a registered dietician for free by calling Health811 at 1-866-797-0000 or visit unlockfood.ca (external link)

Refer families to any of the programs below using the Coordinated Referral Form (PDF file) or direct families to call 311.

Halton Region services and supports

  • Infant Child Development Services (birth to 5 years) provides supports for babies born prematurely or prenatally exposed to substances, children with a special needs diagnosis or concerns related to their development. A developmental consultant and/or an occupational therapist provide free in-home services that support baby or child’s communication, play, feeding, sleeping, routines and transition skills.
  • Family, Community and Behavioural Services (2 to 21 years) provides support to children or youth with a special needs’ diagnosis (not including Autism Spectrum Disorder) or suspected or confirmed Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder and a behavioural concern. A behavioural consultant provides free services to families in their home, child care, schools or other community settings and can support skill building for daily living, communication, social interactions, emotional regulation and transitions.
  • Inclusion Services (birth to 12 years) provides support in licensed childcare centres, licensed home care, or before and after school programs to children with a special needs diagnosis or a developmental concern. A Resource Consultant can work directly with educators to support child development and the inclusion of all children in the classroom.
  • Childcare Subsidy- Social Medical Referral. Financial assistance may be available for eligible clients referred by community professionals based on social/medical needs of a child and/or parent. The following criteria must be met: reason for referral, period and duration of care, and agency plan to support the family. Note: Childcare subsidy is not available for before and after school care with a social/medical referral.
  • Healthy Babies, Healthy Children (HBHC) program Ontario’s HBHC program provides free home visits to parents-to-be and families with young children (from birth to the start of school) by public health nurses and trained family visitors. Information and guidance can be provided on how to:
    • have a healthy pregnancy;
    • build a positive relationship with their child;
    • support their child’s growth and development including healthy eating and routines; and
    • take care of themselves and connect with community supports and services.
    Patients can also self-refer for this program.
  • Halton Prenatal Nutrition Program is a free, weekly program run by a public health nurse and a registered dietitian for parents during their pregnancy and after baby is born. Offered in-person and provides:
    • a welcoming environment for those needing extra support; including young pregnant parents, families new to Canada or new to their community;
    • an opportunity to learn about pregnancy and parenting;
    • a healthy meal each week and help accessing healthy foods and vitamins;
    • a chance to meet other parents and make new friends;
    • transportation and language translation services if required.
    This is a drop-in program. No referral needed.
  • Kids & Me Drop-In Neighbourhood Groups is a free, weekly parenting and early learning structured drop-in play groups for families with babies/children up to 6 years who would like extra support. The program is run by a public health nurse, early childhood educator, child development consultant and a librarian. Parents can access parenting support and ask questions about their child’s growth and development. The aim of the program is to support parents and to help children learn, socialize and practice routines to prepare for a successful transition to childcare or school. Registration is not required.

Other community services



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