2 - 4 years

Your child's health and development

Your toddler will have a health and development review between 2 and 2.5 years. If your child is at a childcare setting they will have a progress review too. These conversations are a great opportunity to see the development that your child is achieving

If your child needs more support they can get an integrated review with their health visitor and their childcare provider together.

Your child will have more vaccinations when they are three. Find out more about vaccinations and when to have them.

Free vitamins and healthy eating

Free vitamins are available for all residents with a Healthy Start card to collect from Best Start Family Hubs in Brent. To find out if you are eligible for the Healthy Start card please visit: How to apply - Get help to buy food and milk (Healthy Start).

Dental health

NHS dental treatment for children is free.  It is a good idea to take your child with you when you go for your own dental appointments introduce them to the idea of going to the dentist.

Communication Development

You can get advice about how best to support your child’s communication development within the Best Start Family Hubs.

If you have any concerns about your child’s communication skills a referral to Speech and Language Therapy can be made via NHS Speech and language therapy (Brent).

If your child is aged two, three or four you might be able to get free early education and childcare.

Some 2 year olds can get 15 hours of free childcare whilst all 3- and 4-year olds can get 15 hours of free childcare. Working families can get 30 hours of childcare for their 3 and 4 year old. You can use this at a registered childminder (who looks after children in the childminders home) a private, voluntary on independent nursery or in a school.

Most children start school full-time in the September after their fourth birthday. You must apply for a primary school place a year before your child can start school. Applications open in September and close on 15 January. 

Find out more about  schools, education and learning.

If you are experiencing domestic abuse and violence and would like to talk about it, there are several local and national agencies that can offer support. 

• Advance
• Women’s Aid Live Chat
• Domestic Abuse Helpline

Parent and toddler groups

Having a baby is a big change and it can sometimes help to find other parents or groups whom you can share your experiences and socialise with. A good idea is to join different parent and toddler groups in your area.

Brent libraries

Children of all ages can join the library for free, you can register your child online. All Brent libraries have an amazing range of books, stories and fun activities on offer for children as well as a dedicated parent collections with advice and inspiration on subjects from pregnancy, weaning, supporting your child’s development and self care for parents and carers.

Sports clubs and activities

Find a range of sports clubs and activities around Brent for the whole family.

• BBC Tiny Happy People offer parenting advice and guidance on children's language development and how you can support your child’s language and communication skills.
• Baby Buddy is a free multi-award-winning, interactive pregnancy and parenting app with personalised information and advice for every day of pregnancy and up to the child's first birthday.
• The Potty Training Guide offers clear, research-based advice to help parents and carers support children in learning to use the toilet. It explains the best time to start and provides practical tips to make potty training easier and more positive for you and your child.