The Child Development Programme (CDP) has released a new guide aimed at helping caregivers and child care professionals monitor child development.

The Red Flags guide adapted from a guide used in Canada, is designed to assist professionals and families in identifying when a child six year or under could be at risk of not meeting health and development milestones and help carers determine when and if a child should be referred for formal assessment and treatment.

A spokesman said the guide was intended to be used in conjunction with other validated screening tools commonly used to monitor healthy child development.

The Canadian Red Flags guide was first piloted in 2002 by the Simcoe County Early Intervention Council. Permission for the Bermuda Child Development Programme was granted by the York Region Red Flags in 2010, and the guide has since then been modified to meet Bermuda’s needs.

CDP Coordinator Sherri-Lee Bucci said: “The sharing of the Government published guide book is our contribution to celebrating and honouring our community’s children and those that care for them.

“The Red Flags booklet is designed to ensure childcare providers are aware of the typical development of the young child and know when to refer young children for further services and support. It will help ensure the needs of our young children are met through early identification and referral.”

CDP will host a formal launch of the Red Flags Guide by hosting a training for child care providers on Thursday at 6pm.

For more information contact CDP at 295-0746 ext 2224 or e-mail amatherden@gov.bm.