ABSTRACT
This chapter begins with a discussion on the theoretical background to the concept's development and developmental impairment. This is followed by consideration of possible outcome measures which will allow one to assess how far the aims of developmental surveillance are being achieved. Then methods of developmental surveillance are described, in particular the Van Wiechen check-list used in the Netherlands. The general objective of pre-school Child Health Care is to secure and advance health, growth and development. In the context of developmental surveillance this is achieved on the one hand by early detection of disorders and on the other hand by increasing the knowledge and competence of parents. To evaluate developmental surveillance, the effectiveness of both the means has to be examined separately. In the Netherlands, developmental surveillance in the pre-school age group is carried out with the aid of the Van Wiechen check-list developed in the early 1980s.
