Oakland County Health Division Encourages Parents to Ready Their Kindergarteners for the Upcoming School Year
Pontiac, Mich. – Parents and guardians whose children will enroll in kindergarten for the 2024-2025 school year should take steps now to ensure their kids meet Michigan’s requirements to enter the classroom. These requirements include dental, hearing, and vision screenings and specific vaccinations.
Screenings and immunizations are available at Oakland County Health Division if a child does not have a healthcare provider.
“Kindergarten is an exciting time for families. Screenings and immunizations help keep kids healthy and on track during their first year of school,” said Leigh-Anne Stafford, director of Oakland County Health and Human Services. “Be proactive and talk to your child’s healthcare providers so you can be confident that they are ready to take on this milestone.”
Michigan’s requirements for kindergarteners for the upcoming school year are:
- Kindergarten Dental Screenings: Senate Bill 280 (Public Act 316 of 2023) requires children going into kindergarten to have a dental screening. Children who have dental problems may have trouble sleeping and eating which affects their ability to learn.
- Hearing and Vision Screenings: The Michigan Public Health Code (Act 368 of 1978) mandates children to complete hearing and vision screenings before entering kindergarten. These screenings help children develop and learn by identifying a hearing or vision problem early.
- Immunizations: State law requires kindergarteners to have specific vaccines before beginning the school year. Vaccines are safe and effective tools to prevent diseases that are more readily spread in group settings like classrooms.
Call Oakland County’s Nurse on Call at 800-848-5533 to schedule screening appointments with the Health Division. Screenings are available to children who live or learn in Oakland County. There is no charge.
Immunizations do not require an appointment. Oakland County Health Division clinics are walk-in only and located in Southfield (27725 Greenfield Road) and Pontiac (1200 N. Telegraph Road, Building 34 East). Clinic hours are:
- 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays
- 9:30 a.m. – 6 p.m. Tuesdays
- 7:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. Thursdays
No one will be denied access due to the inability to pay for immunizations. There is a discounted/sliding fee schedule available for those who are under or uninsured. The Health Division accepts health insurance, as well as Medicaid, Medicare, Vaccines for Children (VFC) program, cash, and credit. VFC offers vaccines at no cost for eligible children. There is a $7 fee per vaccination, per client. There are additional fees for credit card payments.
More information about kindergarten readiness can be found on the Health Division’s website at oakgov.info/kindergarten-readiness or by contacting Nurse on Call at 800-848-5533 or [email protected]. Nurse on Call is available 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. For up-to-date public health information, follow @publichealthOC on Facebook and X (formally known as Twitter).
For media inquiries only please contact Bill Mullan, Oakland County media and communications officer, at 248-858-1048.