Well-Child Checks in London, with a Consultant Paediatrician
Most parents only see a doctor when something is wrong. A well-child check is the opposite: an unhurried appointment while your child is well, to look at how they are growing, developing and coping, and to answer the questions that never seem to fit into a ten-minute slot.
Every check is with a consultant paediatrician. There are no nurses or registrars in the room, and no referral is needed.
What happens at a well-child check
- A full history, including sleep, feeding and eating, behaviour, school or nursery, and family health
- A complete physical examination
- Growth measurement (height, weight, BMI) plotted against your child’s own trajectory
- A review of developmental milestones for their age
- Emotional wellbeing and behaviour, including mood and screen use for older children
- A review of their immunisation record
- A written health plan and summary letter for you and, if you wish, your GP
Why we follow the AAP Bright Futures guidelines
Our checks are built on the American Academy of Pediatrics’ Bright Futures programme, a structured, age-by-age framework for preventative child health. It gives each visit a clear purpose: the right questions, the right examination and the right guidance for your child’s age, from infancy to the teenage years.
This is care that sits alongside NHS services rather than replacing them. Your child’s NHS checks and immunisations carry on as normal. Our appointments add time, continuity and consultant-level attention.
Development checks
Worried about whether your child is meeting their milestones? Developmental screening is part of every well-child check. We look at movement, language, social interaction and learning, and explain what we find in plain language. If we think a closer look is needed, we will say so and explain the next step.
Which age?
Well-child checks are for children from birth to 18. The guidelines recommend frequent checks in the first two and a half years and yearly checks from age 3. Many families come once to start with and then return at key points, such as before school, around age 5, or in adolescence.
- Babies 0–6 weeks: see our newborn and baby check
- Toddlers and pre-schoolers: milestones, speech, sleep, eating and behaviour
- School-age children: growth, learning, friendships, sleep and activity
- Teenagers: puberty, mood, sleep, and time with the doctor on their own
Not sure which appointment is right? See all appointment types, or call us and we will point you in the right direction.
Frequently asked questions
Is a well-child check the same as a developmental assessment?
Developmental screening is one part of a well-child check. If a fuller assessment is needed, we will explain what it involves before arranging anything.
Does private health insurance cover it?
Usually not. Most UK insurers classify well-child checks as preventative care and exclude them. Please check with your insurer before booking. Self-pay is available for everyone.
Do I need a referral from my GP?
No. You can book directly.
What if my child is unwell today?
Our focus is preventative and longitudinal care, by design, so we do not provide urgent or emergency care. If your child needs urgent attention, contact your GP, NHS 111 or 999.
Book a well-child check
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Questions? Call 020 3633 2915 (Mon–Fri, 9am–6pm) or email [email protected].