Early Childhood Screening

Early Childhood Screening is a check up on how your child is growing and developing.

At your child’s screening, trained staff will check your child’s:

• Vision and hearing
• Height and weight
• Movement and balance
• Thinking, language, and communication skills
• Social and emotional growth
• Review Health/Immunization (shots) records

When your child is 3-5 years old:

1. Set up a FREE screening appointment. Call 612-668-3715 or schedule online. 

2. Complete the registration form and the ASQ-SE that will be sent to you.

3. Bring your child to the screening appointment.

4. The screening process will take from 1-1 ½ hours. 20-25 minutes for your child to complete the screening and 20-30 minutes for staff to go over the results with you and answer any questions you may have.

5. We would like your child to separate from you during the screening portion of the appointment. Please talk with them in advance about this. If your child is anxious about participating in the activities, you are welcome to sit with them.   

One of the first school experiences you will share with your child is Early Childhood Screening. We have compiled a list of frequently asked questions to assist you with questions you may have about the screening process. 

What is the best age to have my child screened? 

It is best to have your child screened at age 3. 

Why is it important to have my child screened before age 4? 

Screening at age 3 helps you to know if your child is on track to be prepared for kindergarten. If your child is not on track early school services can help your child become ready by age 5. If screening is done later there is less time for your child to receive the early learning services that can help them be kindergarten ready. 

What if my child is not screened at age 3? 

We will screen your 4 and 5 year olds as well. MN state law requires early childhood screening for all children before kindergarten entrance at a public school.  

Is there a cost to have my child screened? 

There is no charge for screening services. 

How do I set up an appointment? 

Call the Minneapolis Early Childhood Screening offices at 612-668-­3715 or book an appointment online. 

What do I bring to the appointment? 

Please bring a current immunization record, a birth certificate and a completed health history form that we sent to you. Not required but it will be helpful if you have it. 

How long is the screening appointment? 

Most screening appointments take about 1 to 1½ hours. The length of the appointment may vary depending on your child's participation and other factors during the screening process.

What will my child do at screening? 

Your child will have their vision, hearing and height and weight screened. We will check your child’s learning with a developmental screening tool called the Minneapolis Preschool Screening Instrument.  

What do parents do during the screening? 

After your child has been screened you will review the screening results with an Early Childhood Screening staff.  Parents will have the opportunity to talk with staff about their child’s health and developmental history and family needs. 

Will screening staff help my child get into a preschool or other early learning program? 

Yes. We will give you information about the programs in Minneapolis that offer early childhood programs. We will help you to sign up for district programs that serve preschool aged children. 

Who does not need Early Childhood Screening?

1. Children who have already completed Early Childhood Screening between the ages of 3 and 5.
2. Children who were screened through Head Start or another public school district.
3. Children with an active IEP. (Note: this does not apply to children receiving speech services only)

What if I don’t want my child to participate in screening?

If you are a conscientious objector to Early Childhood Screening, your child is not required to participate. You will need to complete a Conscientious Objector Form and submit it to the school district.

(If you are a conscientious objector, please email the signed form to the ECS program screen@mpls.k12.mn.us)

Complete this interest form to receive information about Early Childhood Screening, ECFE, Teen Parent Services, and/or PreK programs. 

ECE Interest Form 

Early Childhood Screening programs will provide virtual developmental screening for parents/guardians who make a request based on their or their child’s immunocompromised health or other health status. (Minnesota Statutes2022, section 121A.17)

To request a virtual screening with Minneapolis Public Schools, call 612-668-3715.

Minnesota Department of Education offers programs to support families through Help Me Grow, an early intervention system that provides families with information and resources to support child development. Early Learning Scholarships are available for families to increase access to high-quality early childhood programs for children ages birth to 4 years old with the highest needs.