All students entering government or private schools in the Cayman Islands for the first time are required to have health screenings in the summer preceding the start of the school year.
The screening includes a growth and development assessment, screening for vision and hearing, a dental assessment, the administration of necessary immunisations and obtaining a student’s personal medical history. This includes students entering reception programmes.
Public Health Department staff conduct the screenings in the run up to the new school year at district health centres for those entering schools in West Bay and the eastern districts and at John Gray High School’s medical centre for all other students. Screenings are free.
Appointments can be made at the school the child will be attending, and the child should be accompanied by a parent or guardian. They should also bring the child’s immunisation record.
Parents may have their child’s health screenings done by a private doctor, as long as that doctor completes the school health screening forms provided by the Public Health Department. Screening records completed by private paediatricians, should be taken to the Public Health Department, Smith Road Center, where a screening certificate will be issued. Once the record has been received, a health screening certificate will be issued, which must then be taken to the school that the child will be entering in September.
In Cayman Brac and Little Cayman, appointments for school entry screenings can be made by contacting the public health nurse.
Detailed information sheets for parents and guardians are available at the schools.
For more information, contact nurse Carvell Bailey on 244-2735, 244-2648 or 326-4882.