Representatives from the South Australian Department for Education and Child Development (DECD) are visiting the Northern Territory’s Families as First Teachers (FaFT) program in Arlparra to experience the implementation of the program in remote communities across the Territory.
The visit is part of a collaborative partnership between SA and NT education departments and continues to build on the relationships the Territory education sector has with other jurisdictions across Australia.
The group will observe the operations of a FaFT program and Abecedarian approaches first hand, with the opportunity to speak with FaFT educators about planning for families and children using the Abecedarian approach.
NT Early Childhood Education and Care General Manager Susan Bowden said the SA DECD visit at an operational FaFT site “is indicative of the Territory’s experience in adapting and implementing an innovative program like FaFT that suits the context of the unique needs in remote communities.”
“The visit provides an opportunity for the SA DECD to see our highly regarded FaFT program in action, enabling us to showcase our strong commitment to improving education outcomes for Indigenous children and their families,” Ms Bowden said.
SA DECD are working towards trialling the FaFT program in ten remote communities in SA, based on the NT’s program, to strengthen support for the early development of children prior to school entry.
SA’s Executive Director Statewide Services and Child Development Ann-Marie Hayes said this is a culturally appropriate initiative designed to engage Aboriginal families in their child’s learning from an early age.
“We are pleased to partner with the Northern Territory Government to improve child development among South Australia’s Aboriginal community,” Ms Hayes said.
“The focus on adult and child interaction is at the core of this program, and we look forward to working with the Northern Territory to better understand how the program operates in an early childhood setting.”
Mr Paul Newman, DECD’s Education Director Anangu Lands said this is a wonderful opportunity to share good practice and build on existing early years practice.
“We look forward to sharing our practice, additional collaborations and building on the great work of Territory teachers.”
The innovative approach to supporting vulnerable and disadvantaged children from birth to three years of age and their families is a major project of the Department of Education’s Indigenous Education Strategy. The program recognises the importance of educating not only children, but their families as well, as the children grow and learn in isolated geographical settings.
There are currently 28 FaFT sites operating in remote Indigenous communities throughout the Northern Territory, with the scope to expand to more sites in 2017.
Media contacts:
NT Department of Education: Kat Acampora – 0401 119 215
SA Department for Education and Child Development: Media Hotline – 08 8226 7990