Child Health Fairs

Here you will find information about FREE child health fairs, who can attend and what happens while visiting a child health fair.

Upcoming Fairs

Community agencies who provide services to families in the area will be present for networking opportunities with parents.

Call 519-669-5139 to register. Walk-ins will be accepted if there is space. Interpreters will be provided - ask when making an appointment.

What are Child Health Fairs?

• Free community-based events supporting the growth and development of children in the early years (birth to six years old).
• For families living in the Region of Waterloo.
• Welcoming to all families. Interpreters and other supports can be provided.
• Held in communities throughout Waterloo Region (up to seven Child Health Fairs per year).

Frequently Asked Questions about the Child Health Fairs

Who can attend?

• Children from birth to six years old with their parent or caregiver (with the parent's consent).
• Parents, relatives and caregivers of children from birth to six years old.

What happens at a Child Health Fair?

• Parents or caregivers (with the parent's consent) meet with an early child development professional to check their child's developmental progress (e.g., learning, social, emotional, language, and muscle development).
• Vision, dental care, nutrition and speech skills can also be checked.
• Families with concerns about their children can be directed to the appropriate services for further assessment or assistance. Often, the person is present at the Fair and families can speak to someone immediately.
• See information displays and talk with staff about children's health and community services for families.
• Light snacks and a play area are available.
• After the Child Health Fair, families who were directed to other services (and gave consent) will be contacted by a Public Health Nurse. This phone call is to find out if the family was able to make contact and get the information needed, and if not, to provide assistance.

Who screens the children?

A staff person from one of the following agencies meets with the family to complete the Nipissing District Developmental Screen. Depending on the location of the fair, different agencies are involved in the screening process:

• Region of Waterloo Public Health, Family Health Program
• Region of Waterloo Social Services, Infant Development Program
• KidsLINK, Early Intervention Services
• Community Living Cambridge
• Elmira & District Association for Community Living
• K-W Habilitation Services

Families can also meet with:

• A Speech/Language Pathologist from KidsAbility to discuss language development and communication skills (for children from birth up to three years old, and including their Junior Kindergarten year, if a speech issue has been identified.
• An Early Intervention Specialist from K-W Community Spirit Lions Club or Canadian National Institute for the Blind to check vision (children from four to six years old).
• A Dental Hygienist from Region of Waterloo Public Health to discuss dental care.
• A Public Health Nutritionist who can answer questions about feeding your child.
• A Public Health Nurse from the Healthy Babies Healthy Children Program to discuss parenting or health issues.

What displays are at a Child Health Fair?

Professionals are available to provide information about services for families in the community, including:

• Car Seat Safety
• Healthy Eating
• Immunization
• Dental Care
• Indoor Air Quality
• Parenting Programs
• Child Care and Subsidies
• Starting School (Public and Catholic School Boards)
• Ontario Early Years Centres
• Reading
• Hearing
• Vision
• Support for New Immigrant Families
• Services for Children with Developmental Cconcerns
• Supports for New Parents

Do I have to make an appointment?

Families are asked to make an appointment by contacting the organization hosting the Fair. Please see the information listed at the top for the child health fair nearest to you. Displays can be seen without an appointment.