Well-Child Visits – Checkups for Success! | Health Trends in Early Childhood Education (ECE) – April 2026

March 26, 2026

Trend

Well-child visits and vaccination rates are declining in parallel, and the trend is worsening. A key driver of this trend is declining trust in government health agencies, medical institutions, and government officials.
Who the Public Trusts For Health Information - KFF Polling on Health Information and Trust | KFF

Explanation

Well-child visits are associated with fewer hospitalizations and emergency department use. Despite these benefits, children miss between 30% to 50% of well-child visits. Many families struggle to access and utilize well-child preventive healthcare services and supports in the community. Why Some Parents Skip Pediatrician Visits—And What You Should Know

Busy schedules, lack of transportation, and/or long wait times for appointments make it harder for working parents to prioritize well-child checkups.
Uninsured families may prioritize immediate needs like food and housing
Families who don’t immunize their children are also less likely to seek well-child care. (It’s not just vaccines — parents are refusing other routine preventive care for newborns – OPB)

Impact

Taking the “whole child” approach to health goes beyond the physical to include social-emotional needs, mental health, and healthy behaviors, ensuring the best outcomes in early childhood and throughout the life course. Health promotion and preventive services for young children must be comprehensive, evidence-based, and evidence-informed.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that children receive 12 well-child visits during the first 3 years of life to serve the needs of children. Bright Futures Guidelines and Pocket Guide
Well-child visits during early childhood are a critical opportunity to identify and intervene on developmental risk or delay, maternal depression, and household social needs, including stable and safe housing.
These visits are important for ALL children, including children and youth with special health care needs who may also be under the care of specialists.

The benefits of well-child visits: AAP Schedule of Well-Child Care Visits – HealthyChildren.org

Raising any concerns. The well-child visit is the time to talk about a child’s behavior, sleep, eating, and how they are getting along with other children and/or family members. How to Ease Your Child’s Separation Anxiety – HealthyChildren.org. Discussions include safety and injury prevention in the home, in child care, and in school settings.
Tracking growth and development. The well-child visit provides an opportunity to discuss developmental milestones, social behaviors, and early learning experiences. My daughter is extremely shy and anxious around strangers. How can I help her? – HealthyChildren.org
Team approach. Regular well-child visits build strong, trusting relationships among parents, children, and healthcare providers.
Prevention. Children need various health and developmental screenings and recommended immunizations to prevent illness and remain ready to learn.

Action

Child care providers routinely interact with children and families; therefore, they are uniquely positioned to connect families to healthcare resources and social supports.

Talk with parents about well-child visits.

Early childhood educators are trusted sources of information for parents, and they need to be equipped to navigate their community healthcare resources.

Conduct daily health checks and discuss your observations and any concerns with parents
Convey to parents that you want the best for their child, and so do their healthcare providers
Encourage parents to make well-child visit appointments. Start the conversation: “Our program partners with families to make sure every child is healthy and ready for kindergarten.” “If you need help finding a clinic, transportation, or scheduling support, we can connect you with local resources.”
Help families find services: PA Navigate by findhelp – Search and Connect to Social Care

Prepare ahead of time for well-child visits

The Well-Child Visit: Why Go and What to Expect Bright Futures Resources for Families
- To get the most out of your time together, make notes about what you’ve noticed about your child’s health and development. Include any changes in behavior or family routines.
- Write a list of questions to take with you
- Use the Well-Visit Planner: Well Visit Planner is an online tool that can help you identify questions and concerns to raise with your healthcare provider. See Well Visit Planner: Educational Materials
- Bright Futures Resources for Families

Credible Resources

AAP’s Healthy Children
Bright Futures: Guidelines for Health Supervision of Infants, Children, and Adolescents
CDC Learn the Signs, Act Early
- Learn the Signs. Act Early. | Learn the Signs. Act Early. | CDC
- Site Index | Watch Me! Training | CDC
Office of Head Start
- Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic, and Treatment | HeadStart.gov
- Bright Futures Resources for Families

References

Wolf ER, O’Neil J, Pecsok J, Etz RS, Opel DJ, Wasserman R, Krist AH. Caregiver and Clinician Perspectives on Missed Well-Child Visits – PMC. Ann Fam Med. 2020 Jan;18(1):30-34. doi: 10.1370/afm. 2466. PMID: 31937530; PMCID: PMC7227475.

Pittard WB., Well-Child Care in Infancy and Emergency Department Use by South Carolina Medicaid Children Birth to 6 Years Old | SMJ. South Med J. 2011;104(8):604–608.

Tom JO, Tseng C, Davis J, Solomon C, Zhou C, Mangione-Smith R. Missed Well-Child Care Visits, Low Continuity of Care, and Risk of Ambulatory Care–Sensitive Hospitalizations in Young Children | Pediatrics | JAMA Pediatrics | JAMA Network. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 2010;164(11):1052–1058.

About Child Trends in Early Childhood

Welcome to Health Trends in Early Childhood, the monthly release from The Pennsylvania Key, focused on trending health issues related to children birth to age five and their families and caregivers.

Each month, find information about a recent health trend, learn why it is important, discover the impact it has on children, their families and caregivers, and the community, as well as actions we all can take to ensure the health and well-being of children in our communities. Also, find reliable resources to learn more about the issue.

Visit The Pennsylvania Key's Health Trends in Early Childhood Education (ECE) Page

Disclaimer: This is the most updated information at release time. The information in Health Trends is not a Pennsylvania regulatory requirement for early childhood providers. Pennsylvania early childhood providers with regulatory requirements should contact their Cert rep or the Bureau of Certification.