Central Otago Kindergarten Association manager Angela Jacobson said children at Alexandra, Terrace, Cromwell, Wakatipu, Frankton and Hawea would be screened by Alexandra speech language therapist Bridget McArthur.
The move followed a successful screening programme at Alexandra Kindergarten, Mrs Jacobson said.
"The idea is to pick up children's speech and language issues early in their education.
"If you can sort those problems out before they start school, then they won't have these things holding them back later."
Most of the cost of the screening programme is coming out of kindergartens' bulk funding, she said, with the rest coming from association reserves.
Following the screening, a brief report would be given to parents and kindergarten teachers with recommendations regarding any further intervention required.
Ms McArthur said by blanket screening all the children, she could pick out the ones needing help.
No other kindergartens in the country ran a similar programme, she said.
"It's quite a new thing."
Screening will begin next term.
