A group with links to the Church of Scientology is targeting Australian kindergartens, claiming that new health checks will put children at risk from psychotropic drugs.

The federal government is expanding its health checks program, performed by GPs, which ensures children are ready for school by assessing their development. But the group, the Citizens Commission on Human Rights, said these checks could lead to drugs being prescribed.

Risky new health checks: Letters have been sent to the directors of kindergartens across the country. Credit:Janie Barrett

The group warns that common drugs used for hyperactivity, anxiety and depression could have the side-effects of hallucinations, weight loss, stunted growth and heart problems.

Letters have been sent to the directors of kindergartens across the country in the past year. Fine print beneath the group's name reads: ''Established in 1969 by the Church of Scientology to investigate and expose psychiatric violations of human rights.''