Vision testing in primary school
Glasses for Kids program
Prep to year 3 students at participating schools can get a free vision screening with our Glasses for Kids program.
The program also provides follow up eye testing and glasses, if needed.
Visiting Primary School Nursing program
Your child may get a free distance vision test as part of the Victorian School Nursing program.
A nurse may assess your child’s vision if:
- your child has not had a three and a half year old maternal and child health check
- your child’s vision has not been checked by an optometrist before
- you raise concerns about your child’s vision on their School Entrant Health Questionnaire
- a teacher raises concerns about your child’s vision
- the nurse has concerns about your child’s vision when they do their health assessment.
A nurse will not assess your child’s vision if they’re already seeing an optometrist or have a diagnosed vision impairment.
Primary school nurses visit your child’s school every year. If you have questions about the Primary School Nurse Program, ask your child’s school.
Extra support for students and teachers
Visiting specialist teachers
Visiting specialist teachers can work with schools to address your child’s learning needs. They can support your child by:
- working with teachers to address your child’s learning needs
- teaching vision-specific skills to minimise the impact of your child’s vision impairment
- helping your child use assistive equipment – for example, text to speech software or screen readers
- providing documents – for example, reports or equipment grant applications
- working with the whole school community to improve their inclusion practices.
Statewide Vision Resource Centre (SVRC)
Our Statewide Vision Resource Centre supports students with vision impairment to take part in learning at school. Their services include:
- transcribing learning materials into accessible formats, including braille, large print, eText and audio
- professional development for teachers and education support staff
- lending specialised equipment and technology to schools
- assessing students for extra support
- delivering the expanded core curriculum.
Expanded core curriculum
The expanded core curriculum covers extra skills your child may need to access the school curriculum. It can be adapted to their specific needs and may include:
- reading skills – braille and tactile graphics, audio reading
- assistive technology use – scanners and text to speech software
- orientation and mobility – using a cane, reading a timetable, road safety and public transport
- career education – career opportunities and work experience
- independent living – banking, shopping, cooking, money management and telling the time
- recreation and leisure – leisure time, learning blindness-specific sports
- sensory efficiency – using other senses for learning and independence
- social interaction skills – eye contact, body language, gestures and facial expressions
- self-determination – believing in oneself, understanding abilities and limitations.
The expanded core curriculum is taught by visiting specialist teachers during your child’s primary and secondary education.
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