About ECEC services
In the NT, early childhood education and care (ECEC) is provided by qualified educators who understand how children grow and learn.
Families can access high-quality, play-based services that support brain development and enhance physical, social, emotional, cognitive and language skills.
Early childhood education and care services
The types of ECEC services available in the NT include:
- long day care
- family day care
- outside school hours care
- preschool
- Families as First Teachers programs.
You can also find out more about local, individual early childhood education and care services by visiting the Australian Government's Starting Blocks website.
Long day care, or centre-based care, provides education and care for children from birth to school age.
These services typically operate from 7:30am to 6pm to meet the needs of families.
Children are usually grouped by age and developmental stage.
Family day care is an early childhood education and care service provided in an educator’s own home.
This service may provide flexible care including before and after school, weekends and overnight care.
Limits apply to the number of children who can be cared for in a home at one time.
Outside school hours care provides supervised care and recreation programs for primary school age children:
- before and after school
- during school holidays
- on pupil-free days.
These services are generally located on school sites but may also operate from other community facilities.
Preschool is a structured, play-based learning program delivered by a qualified early childhood teacher.
Most preschools in the NT are part of a school, however long day care services may also provide a preschool program.
Families as First Teachers (FaFT) is a program that helps parents and carers support their children's learning and development.
FaFT works with local communities to create programs that meet their needs and helps parents feel confident in giving their children a great start in life.
The program delivers parenting support and high-quality early childhood education, tailored to meet the needs of young children and their families.
Find out more about Families as First Teachers.