It’s not just about shots. Illinois has requirements for eye exams, health exams, dental exams and immunizations for children at various ages.
- School physical exams/proof of immunizations are required when your child is entering kindergarten and 6th grade. idph.state.il.us/health/vaccine/
- All Illinois children entering Kindergarten and Grades 2 and 6 are required to have an oral health examination. Full info here from the Illinois State Board of Education. And the form is here.
- Vision screening must be provided annually for preschool children 3 years of age or older in any public or private educational program or licensed child care facility, and for school age children in kindergarten, second and eighth grades; are in special education class; have been referred by a teacher; or are transfer students. In lieu of the screening services required from the schools and day cares, it’s acceptable to have a completed and signed report form from a licensed optometrist that indicates that an eye examination has been administered within the previous 12 months. Full info here from the Illinois State Board of Education. Full info here and Form here.
- Hearing screenings are required annually for preschool children 3 years of age or older in any public or private educational program or licensed child care facility, and for all school age children grades kindergarten, first, second and third. In lieu of the screening services required by the schools/day cares, a completed and signed report form, indicating the child had an ear examination by a physician and an audiological evaluation completed by an audiologist within the previous 12 months, is acceptable. Full info here.
The Illinois Department of Public Health is your one-stop source for immunization schedules. Click here to double check that you’ve got everything taken care of for the start of the school year. They have printables in English and Spanish for infants and children, preteens and teens and adults. - Sports physical exams are required when your child will be participating in a sport at the middle or high school level. Sports physicals are valid for one year (365 days) and cannot expire at any time during the sport your child is involved. If you take your child for a sports physical during the summer, it will be valid for the duration of the school year. Read more.
- Have a child with allergies or asthma? Schools are allowed to keep backup asthma inhalers on hand for kids to use on the off chance that forgetful youths don’t have theirs with them when they have an asthma attack. Here’s information regarding students’ ability to carry and adminisster their own allergy and asthma medications during the school day: isbe.net/Documents/guidance
- Have another condition that requires special notice for your child’s school? Before the school year even begins, call or email the school and find out what they need from you.
- Some schools have full-time nurses. Other schools have fewer personnel. Be sure that everyone knows about your child’s needs.
