[Health care for children: perspectives for community health services]

The study aims at analysing the community health nursing practice in the care of children and to point out the perspectives for the coming millennium. The study was conducted by review of the literature. It provides a brief synthesis of the current social context and a short historic reflection about health practices with children and community health nursing practice. It is observed that the practice of nursing is conducted according to the official Health Assistance Program for Children. Despite its goals, however, the program has not been efficient. In this way it will be valued the multiprofessional work in the accompaniment of the growth and development, domiciliary visit, and "groups of mothers" in which the nurse will be a co-participant of the staff, with the great contribution that health professionals with preventions and promotions background frequently offer.