This chapter covers the preoperative assessment of children. It gives general guidance on how to communicate with patients and their families. There is a detailed section on history taking, examination, and routine investigations. The management of common issues that present just prior to surgery, e.g. upper respiratory tract infections, infectious diseases, and the innocent heart murmur, are discussed. The controversy of immunization and anaesthesia, and the requirements for pregnancy testing and DVT prophylaxis, are discussed. Finally, the different forms of premedication are described.