The Age of Entry
Phase Four of the Age of Entry Trial 2008
Phase Four of the Age of Entry Trial will commence in Term 1 2008, with 92 NT Government Primary Schools across the Territory adopting a streamlined enrolment structure.
Thirty-four additional Government schools have signed up for Phase Four of the Age of Entry Trial. They will join the fifty-eight schools from Phase One, Phase Two and Phase Three in shifting to a single intake for Transition students. The trial involves:
- Children who turn five on or by 30 June 2008 may begin in Transition at the beginning of Term 1, 2008.
- Children who turn four on or by 30 June 2008 may begin in Preschool at the beginning of Term 1, 2008.
Intake/enrolment into preschool is dependent on the availability of places.
Phase Four participating schools will each receive a start-up grant towards implementing the Age of Entry Trial at school level. The grant could be used for early years teaching resources, part-time instructor assistance in the early years classrooms and/or the support of early years teachers through professional learning opportunities.
Phase Four Schools joining the Age of Entry Policy Trial 2008:
| Top End Group School (TEGS) | Sandover Group School |
| Belyuen School | Alcoota School |
| Dundee Beach School | Alpurrurulam School |
| Gochan Jiny-Jirra School | Ampilatwatja School |
| Middle Point School | Bonya School |
| Milikapiti School | Harts Range School |
| Mamaruni School | Utopia- Aniltji School |
| Nganmarriyanga School | Barkly Group School |
| Peppimenarti School | Canteen Creek School |
| Pularumpi School | Tanami Group School |
| Tipperary School | Walungurru School |
| Warruwi School | Community Education Centres (CEC) |
| Woolaning School | Gapuwiyak CEC |
| Katherine Group School (KGS) | Gunbalanya CEC |
| Bulla School | Lajamanu CEC |
| Bulman School | Milingimbi CEC |
| Jilkminggan School | Numbulwar CEC |
| Manyallaluk School | Yirrkala CEC |
| Urban Primary School | |
| Anula Primary School | |
| Malak Primary School | |
| Moulden Primary School | |
| Woodroffe Primary School |
Phase Three schools continuing in the trial are:
| Alyangula Area School | Moil Primary and Preschool |
| Bakewell Primary and Preschool | Ngukurr Community Education Centre |
| Berry Springs Primary and Preschool | Nhulunbuy Primary and Preschool |
| Braitling Primary and Preschool | Papunya Community Education Centre |
| Durack Primary and Preschool | Pigeon Hole Primary and Preschool |
| Douglas Daly Primary and Preschool | Pine Creek Primary and Preschool |
| Elliott Community Education Centre | Robinson River Primary and Preschool |
| Howard Springs Primary and Preschool | Ross Park and Rona Glynn Preschool |
| Kiana Primary and Preschool | Timber Creek Primary and Preschool |
| Larapinta Primary and Preschool | Umbakumba Primary and Preschool |
| Ludmilla Primary and Preschool | Urapunga Primary and Preschool |
| Maningrida Community Education Centre | Woolianna Primary and Preschool |
| Manunda Terrace Primary and Preschool | Yulara Primary and Preschool |
| Mataranka Primary and Preschool |
Phase Two schools continuing in the trial are:
| Bradshaw Primary School | Jingili Primary School |
| Bees Creek Primary School | Kalkaringi CEC |
| Batchelor Area School | Katherine South Primary School |
| Clyde Fenton Primary School | Larrakeyah Primary School |
| Casuarina Street Primary School | Leanyer Primary School |
| Driver Primary School | Millner Primary School |
| Gillen Primary School | Minyerri School |
| Girraween Primary School | Nightcliff Primary School |
| Humpty Doo Primary School | Parap Primary School |
| Jabiru Area School | Stuart Park Primary School |
| Wulagi Primary School |
Phase One schools in the trial are:
| Alawa Primary School | Gray Primary School |
| Borroloola CEC | MacFarlane Primary School |
| Karama Primary School | Nakara Primary School |
| Sadadeen Primary School | Tennant Creek Primary School |
| Wanguri Primary School | Wagaman Primary School |
Background to Age of Entry Trial
The NT Department of Employment, Education and Training’s Early Years review and Age of Entry Policy Trial are ensuring Territory schools are on track with respect to the Australian Government’s requirement for all states and territories to move to a nationally consistent single intake policy.
The Department of Employment, Education and Training’s Early Years review of the Age of Entry Policy Trial for Preschool and Transition enrolment began in 2003 through consultation with principals, school councils, early childhood educators, professional organisations, parents and school communities across the Territory. The consultation took place in conjunction with extensive research on the broad issues of quality approaches for the Early Years (0 - 8 years of age).
Phase Two Testimonials 2006
Information available through ‘UPDATES’ on the website.
Phase One - Feedback and Evaluation
Phase One of the Age of Entry Trial took place throughout 2004 and 2005 in 10 schools/preschools throughout the Northern Territory. It provided:
- A clear policy about when children access publicly funded pre-compulsory programs (Preschool and Transition)
- A single intake into Transition at the start of the year (for all children turning five on or by 30 June)
- Consistency and equity for access to Two years pre-compulsory early learning programs, which are demonstrated to improve life-learning outcomes.
The single intake for Transition has been beneficial for children in developing relationships and group cohesion, as well as academic development. Community feedback has emphasised the preference for flexible Preschool enrolment.
Further, evidence-based practice strongly supports access to two years of quality pre-compulsory programs to optimise educational outcomes.