Start the School Year Strong with This Parent-Approved Guide
As summer winds down and the new school year approaches, parents everywhere are preparing backpacks, buying supplies, and adjusting routines. But one essential part of back-to-school readiness is often overlooked: your child’s health. At Premium Healthcare, we believe that good health is just as important as good grades—and we’re here to help you check all the boxes before the first bell rings.
Here’s your complete back-to-school health checklist, designed to keep your child safe, strong, and thriving all year long.
1. Schedule a Back-to-School Physical
A routine check-up is the cornerstone of your child’s health and a requirement for many schools and sports programs. These exams help ensure your child is growing and developing properly, and give your provider a chance to catch any concerns early.
✔ Height, weight, and developmental screenings
✔ Vision and hearing checks
✔ Blood pressure and heart health assessments
✔ Review of growth milestones and puberty (if applicable)
✔ Updated family and medical history
✔ Review of allergies and chronic conditions
If your child plays sports, a sports physical may also be required. Our providers at Premium Healthcare can complete both in one convenient visit.
2. Update Immunizations
Schools require proof of certain vaccinations to enroll, and staying up to date helps protect your child—and others—from preventable diseases. Your provider will check your child’s immunization record and make sure everything is current.
Vaccines often required for school-aged children include:
✔ DTaP (Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis)
✔ Polio (IPV)
✔ MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella)
✔ Varicella (Chickenpox)
✔ Hepatitis A and B
✔ HPV (Human Papillomavirus – recommended for ages 11+)
✔ Meningococcal
✔ Annual Flu Shot
✔ COVID-19 (based on eligibility and CDC guidelines)
If your child missed vaccines during the summer or due to the pandemic, we’ll help you catch up on schedule.
3. Check Vision and Hearing
Undetected vision or hearing problems can make it harder for kids to concentrate, follow lessons, or succeed socially. A simple screening before school starts can identify potential issues and allow for early intervention.
✔ Schedule an eye exam, especially if your child squints, complains of headaches, or sits too close to screens
✔ Ask your provider about a hearing test if your child shows signs of delayed speech or struggles with listening
If glasses or hearing aids are needed, we’ll guide you through the next steps.
4. Discuss Mental and Emotional Wellbeing
Starting a new school year can bring excitement, but also stress, anxiety, or fear—especially for kids transitioning to a new grade, new school, or post-pandemic learning environment. Emotional health is just as important as physical health.
Talk with your child about:
✔ School-related worries or pressures
✔ Changes in behavior, sleep, or appetite
✔ Feelings of sadness, irritability, or isolation
✔ Friendships and social situations
At Premium Healthcare, our mental health professionals are part of your care team. If your child needs additional support, we’re here with counseling and behavioral health resources.
5. Manage Allergies, Asthma, and Chronic Conditions
If your child has a condition like asthma, diabetes, food allergies, or ADHD, now’s the time to update their action plans and communicate with their school.
✔ Renew prescriptions and ensure medications are current
✔ Provide copies of emergency care plans to the school nurse
✔ Confirm that inhalers, EpiPens, or insulin supplies are available and not expired
✔ Schedule any necessary follow-ups with specialists within our multispecialty network
We’ll work with you and your child’s school to keep care consistent and safe throughout the year.
6. Establish Healthy Habits at Home
School success starts with routines that support your child’s health every day. As summer transitions into fall, begin easing into school-year habits like:
✔ Setting consistent bedtimes to ensure 8–10 hours of sleep
✔ Eating balanced meals and snacks with fruits, vegetables, and whole grains
✔ Limiting sugary drinks and processed snacks
✔ Encouraging regular physical activity and screen-time breaks
✔ Creating a quiet, organized space for homework and reading
Need help planning healthy meals or addressing sleep struggles? Our care team can support the whole family’s wellness goals.
7. Don’t Forget Dental and Dermatology Check-Ups
A clean bill of health includes teeth and skin. Schedule a dental cleaning and oral health check-up, and consider seeing a dermatologist if your child has acne, eczema, or other skin concerns.
✔ Professional dental cleaning and cavity check
✔ Orthodontic referrals if needed
✔ Skin exam for rashes, warts, or chronic conditions
Premium Healthcare offers access to dental and dermatology specialists within the same network—so appointments are easy to coordinate.
8. Pack a Safe and Healthy Backpack
Backpacks that are too heavy or worn incorrectly can cause back and shoulder strain. Help your child carry smarter:
✔ Choose a backpack with wide, padded straps
✔ Keep total weight under 10–15% of your child’s body weight
✔ Use both shoulder straps to distribute weight evenly
✔ Pack heavier items closer to the back
We can assess posture and spine health during your child’s physical, and provide tips for backpack safety.
9. Know When to Keep Kids Home
Sometimes kids get sick, and knowing when to keep them home prevents spreading illness. Ask your provider for guidance on:
✔ Fevers (usually 100.4°F or higher)
✔ Coughing or wheezing
✔ Vomiting or diarrhea
✔ Skin rashes that haven’t been diagnosed
✔ COVID-19 symptoms and return-to-school protocols
We offer same-day sick visits and virtual care options to get your child feeling better fast.
Start the School Year with Confidence
At Premium Healthcare, we understand how busy this time of year can be—and we’re here to make it easier. With primary care, pediatrics, specialists, and diagnostics all in one place, we help families get back-to-school ready without the hassle.
✔ Same-day and weekend appointments available
✔ Bilingual staff ready to assist
✔ Locations across Miami
✔ Multispecialty care under one roof
📞 Call (305) 265-4441 or visit premiumhealthcare.com to schedule your child’s check-up today.Premium Healthcare – One Team. One Mission. Your Family’s Health.
Simplify your care. Elevate your wellness. Start the school year strong.
