ALLIANCE READY TO WORK WITH NEW NT GOVT ON MAKING THE TERRITORY A GREAT PLACE FOR YOUNG FAMILIES
27 August 2024 – With too many families struggling to access childcare and allied health services, the new Northern Territory Government is being urged to take five key actions to create a better future for Territory children and families.
The Thrive by Five NT Early Childhood Alliance, which comprises 18 organisations, is calling for the establishment of an independent Office of Early Childhood Development and more funding for First Nations-controlled services.
Alliance convenor Sarah Rheinberger congratulated new Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro on her election win and said the Alliance was ready and willing to work with her Government.
“As an alliance of service providers and experts, we have started the work to reform the NT’s early years system. We hope the new government will work with us to help make the Territory a great place for young families,” Ms Rheinberger said.
Creating more accessible and appropriate early education and care would be good for children, parents and the entire Territory, Ms Rheinberger said.
“Childcare and early learning is too expensive or inaccessible for many Territory families, depriving children of valuable learning and socialisation experiences in the first five years of life.
“As well as disadvantaging children, this means parents and carers cannot go back to work when they want because there is no childcare, which ultimately deprives their communities of workers.
“At the same time, too many children with learning disabilities, neurodivergence or trauma are going without the support required to learn and thrive, because their families cannot access services.”
Two in five children in the NT are developmentally vulnerable when they start school, meaning they have not met the milestones you would expect at their age. This is the highest of any state or territory.
“Setting children up to thrive begins right from birth. The first five years of life are crucial for their social, cognitive and emotional development. But too many children in the NT are starting school behind.”
The Alliance also would like to recognise the considerable contribution to the early years and education by the Labor government, led by Former Chief Minister Eva Lawler and Education Minister Mark Monaghan.
Other recommendations in the Thrive by Five NT Early Childhood Action Plan include a $10 million fund to overcome the staffing crisis which is contributing to long wait lists for childcare and other wrap around services, especially in remote areas.
