Preventive care checklist for a healthy school year

Keep Your Family Healthy All Year Long

The start of a new school year is the perfect time to check in on your family’s health. Staying on top of preventive care helps ensure your kids are ready to learn, play, and thrive.

With the Curative health plan, members who complete their Baseline Visit within the first 120 days of enrollment continue to access $0 in-network care and prescriptions, including preventive screenings. That means you can take care of these important health steps with no cost standing in your way.

1. Schedule annual physicals

A yearly physical is the cornerstone of preventive care. It’s a chance to track your child’s growth, development, and overall well-being, and to address any concerns before they become problems.

During the visit, your pediatrician may:

• Review growth charts
• Check vision and hearing
• Assess nutrition, sleep, and physical activity
• Update immunizations

If your child plays sports, the annual physical often doubles as a sports clearance exam—saving you an extra trip.  

Schedule your Curative Baseline Visit to maintain $0 costs on in-network physicals and other preventive services.

2. Stay up-to-date on immunizations

Vaccines are one of the most effective ways to protect children from serious illness. Schools may require proof of immunization for enrollment.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends age-appropriate vaccines such as:

• DTaP/Tdap (diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis)
• MMR (measles, mumps, rubella)
• Varicella (chickenpox)
• HPV (human papillomavirus)
• Annual flu shot
• Meningococcal vaccine for preteens and teens

You can review the full AAP immunization schedule here.

3. Plan routine screenings

Beyond physicals and vaccines, preventive care may include:

• Dental checkups every six months
• Vision screenings annually or as recommended
• Hearing tests as advised by your pediatrician

These screenings can catch small issues before they affect learning, sports, or daily life. Dental and vision screenings are covered by separate insurance. 

Vision and eye health are particularly important with more learning than ever happening on screens. Encourage the 20-20-20 rule: Every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds. Also be sure to adjust screen brightness and posture during homework.

4. Manage allergies, asthma and other chronic conditions

If your child has asthma, allergies, diabetes, seizure disorders, or other ongoing health needs:

• Provide the school nurse with updated action plans and medications
• Ensure prescriptions are current and refilled before school starts
• Work with the school to create an Individualized Health Plan (IHP) or 504 plan, if needed
• Train key staff on recognizing and responding to health emergencies
• Keep emergency medication supplies (like inhalers or EpiPens) at school

Curative members can access $0 preferred prescriptions, specialist visits, and other support for managing chronic conditions.

5. Keep it clean and germ-free

No need to tell a parent – schools are hotspots for germs. Encourage your child to:

• Wash hands often with soap and water
• Use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol when soap isn’t available
• Bring their own water bottle
• Keep tissues handy for coughs and sneezes

These small habits help reduce the spread of illnesses like colds, flu, and RSV.

6. Focus on nutrition and healthy eating

A balanced diet supports focus, mood, and immunity.

• Offer a nutritious breakfast with protein, fiber, and healthy fats.
• Pack lunches with whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins.
• Be mindful of food allergies and school policies.

If you want personalized guidance, find in-network nutritionists through the provider search.

7. Support healthy sleep routines

Adequate sleep is essential for memory, mood, and physical health.

• Recommended hours per night: 9–12 hours for school-age children, 8–10 for teens (AASM source).
• Set a consistent bedtime and wake time—even on weekends.
• Limit screen time 1 hour before bed.

8. Encourage physical activity and prevent Injuries

• Aim for at least 60 minutes of physical activity daily.
• For sports, ensure proper warm-up, hydration, and protective gear.
• Teach kids to listen to their bodies and rest when needed.

9. Support mental health and emotional well-being

Back-to-school transitions can be stressful. Keep communication open and watch for signs of anxiety, depression, or burnout. Curative covers:

• $0 therapy sessions through in-network providers, including pediatric-focused care
• Virtual mental health care
• Medication management as needed

Find options: Curative Mental Health Resources

10. Prepare for emergencies

• Update emergency contact forms each year.
• Teach your child basic safety procedures without creating fear.
• Ensure the school has permission forms for urgent care if needed.

Preventive care = A stronger start

Following this checklist ensures your family starts the school year—and stays—healthy, engaged, and ready to thrive. With Curative’s $0 cost structure, completing your Baseline Visit, and using your Cash Card, you can remove financial barriers from the equation and focus on what matters: your family’s health.

Learn more about the Curative Health Plan

References:

Asthma Management for Children – American Lung Association

Managing Chronic Health Conditions in Schools – American Academy of Pediatrics

Back-to-school health checklist. (2 Aug 2023). Rush. https://www.rush.edu/news/back-school-health-checklist

Requirements & laws. CDC. Last reviewed 15 Nov 2016. https://www.cdc.gov/schoolvaxview/?CDC_AAref_Val=https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/imz-managers/coverage/schoolvaxview/requirements/index.html

Requirements and exemptions. CDC. Last reviewed 12 Oct 2017. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/imz-managers/coverage/schoolvaxview/requirements/index.html

Stay up to date with vaccines. CDC. Last updated 17 Jul 2023. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/stay-up-to-date.html

Here are the back-to-school vaccinations your kids need. (24 Aug 2022). Cedars-Sinai. https://www.cedars-sinai.org/blog/back-school-vaccinations-kids-need.html

Flu (influenza). CDC. Last reviewed 2 Aug 2019. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/parents/diseases/flu.html

Screen time and children. MedlinePlus. Last updated 25 Apr 2023. https://medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000355.htm#:~:text=Children%20under%20age%202%20should,do%20not%20improve%20their%20development

Rogers, L.S. (28 Jul 2023). What’s in store for the upcoming respiratory virus season? Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. https://publichealth.jhu.edu/2023/rsv-covid-19-and-flu-outlook-for-2023-2024

New poll: mental health challenges prevalent among Gen Z youth; more than three in four have discussed their struggles with others. (3 Aug 2023). Blue Shield of California. https://news.blueshieldca.com/2023/08/03/new-poll-mental-health-challenges-prevalent-among-gen-z-youth-more-than-three-in-four-have-discussed-their-struggles-with-others 

Ruder, D.B. (19 June 2019). Screen time and the brain. Harvard Medical School. https://hms.harvard.edu/news/screen-time-brain