There are 4 Checklists: Age-Independent Criteria, Motor Criteria (fine and gross motor), Communication/Play/Behaviour, and Feeding/Eating
A referral to Niagara Children’s Centre can be made when the score in 1 or more checklists warrants a referral according to each checklist’s individual instructions
Note: The results will trigger an automatic notification of whether a referral is recommended after you have completed or bypassed all 4 checklists.
You may leave entire checklists or questions within a checklist blank. If you leave checklists/questions blank it will be assumed that there are no concerns with the child’s development in those areas.
When/how to correct for prematurity:
- Motor and Feeding/Eating Checklists: correct child’s age until 1 year
- Communication, Play, Behaviour Checklists: use child’s chronological age
If the child doesn’t appear to be eligible for a referral but you are still concerned: call our Intake Coordinators for a discussion.

Niagara Children’s Centre Birth-School Start Core Services Referral Checklist