Building Brighter Futures: Families as First Teachers sites Doubled

The Territory Labor Government is on track to deliver on its election commitment to deliver 58 new Families as First Teachers sites with a further 15 delivered in 2020.

This brings the total number of FaFTs around the Territory to 55, with the NT Government doubling the number of sites in the past four years.

The vast majority of FaFT sites are located in remote communities and help support parents and family members to become their child's first and most important teachers, with more than 2,000 children and families using this service.

In addition to supporting families to build their child's early literacy and numeracy through adult-child interaction, the program helps establish good attendance habits from early on, which enables children to be better prepared for day one of school.

So far the Territory Labor Government has spent $5.6 million to expand FaFT to 55 sites around the Territory. 46 are in remote communities and nine are in urban settings.

More than half of all FaFT employees are Aboriginal, which has provided local job opportunities in communities and pathways for Aboriginal Territorians to pursue a career in early childhood services and education.

FaFT funding is part of a $35.6 million Territory Government investment in early childhood development, following the release of its 10 year Starting Early for A Better Future Early Childhood Development Plan in 2017.

As stated by Chief Minister, Michael Gunner:

"When you invest in children, you invest in the future of the Northern Territory.

"A child's early years, from birth to age five, are the most developmentally important in their lives and are critical for preparing them for success at school and into adulthood.

"That's why we have delivered on the promised expansion of our FaFT program, which helps all our Territory children to be ready for day one of school, no matter where they live."

As stated by Minister for Education, Lauren Moss:

"Being ready for day one of school is essential. It shapes a child's ability to thrive educationally, to stay healthy and to be socially connected.

"FaFT is an important program not just for our littlest Territorians, but for parents and families, who are a child's first teachers.

"Additionally, with the majority of our FaFT sites located in remote communities, they provide Aboriginal Territorians with training and job opportunities, while ensuring that the program is delivered with cultural sensitivity, and in a way that helps keep local language and culture strong."

Northern Territory FaFT Sites

*New sites in 2020

**Further sites to come

Central

1. Arlparra
2. Ntaria
3. Papunya
4. Larapinta
5. Yuendumu
6. Harts Range*
7. Braitling*
8. Walungurru (Kintore)*
9. Gillen*
10. Sadadeen *
11. Yuelamu**
12. Laramba**
13. Areyonga**

Barkly

1. Alekarenge
2. Alpurrurulam
3. Elliott
4. Tennant Creek
5. Epenarra*
6. Canteen Creek*
7. Ampilatwatja

Big Rivers

1. Barunga*
2. Borroloola
3. Jilkminggan
4. Kalkaringi
5. Katherine (MacFarlane)
6. Lajamanu
7. Mataranka*
8. Minyerri
9. Ngukurr
10. Numbulwar
11. Wugularr
12. Robinson River*
13. Urapunga*

Top End

1. Gunbalanya
2. Jabiru
3. Milikapiti
4. Maningrida
5. Nganmarriyanga
6. Palmerston
7. Pularumpi
8. Wadeye
9. Wurrumiyanga (Nguiu)
10. Belyuen*
11. Peppimenarti*
12. Mamaruni*
13. Warruwi

East Arnhem

1. Angurugu
2. Galiwin'ku
3. Gapuwiyak
4. Gunyangarra
5. Laynhapuy Homelands
6. Milingimbi
7. Ramingining
8. Umbakumba
9. Yirrkala

Darwin

1. Ludmilla
2. Mimik-ga Centre
3. Malak*