NT Government Department of Education Annual Report 2017-18 Department of Education Annual Report 2017-18 | Page 14

Page 14
Northern Territory Department of Education
TEGIC P
ENGAGING FAMILIES AND
COMMUNITIES IN THEIR
CHILD’S LEARNING AND
DEVELOPMENT
The Department of Education takes a lead
role for the strategies related to education
services.
We worked with families, communities, the
Commonwealth and Northern Territory governments,
other government agencies and non-government
organisations to improve child wellbeing and prepare
children for school. We placed special emphasis on
supporting children from disadvantaged communities
and Aboriginal children living in remote and very
remote areas.
We worked closely with other Northern
Territory Government agencies on the
development of the ‘Starting Early
for a Better Future – Early Childhood
Development Plan 2018–2028’. It was
launched in April 2018.
Y A
O
C TI
The 2016 Australian Census reported that
there were 19 356 children from birth to
four years of age living in the Northern
Territory’s diverse communities. Of these,
around 37 per cent (7229) were Aboriginal.
We are committed to engaging children
in early childhood education, helping
them learn in a nurturing and stimulating
environment, and supporting their
successful transition to school.
TEGIC P
INTRODUCTION
ENSURING ACCESSIBLE,
QUALITY EARLY CHILDHOOD
EDUCATION SERVICES
Y A
O
C TI
Families and communities play a critical role in children’s
learning and development. The FaFT program engages
parents and carers in their children’s education to
enhance their children’s motivation and confidence
as learners and nurture a positive attitude towards
education.