Department of Employment, Education and Training

Early Years

Ages 3 to 8 years (approximately)
Year level - Preschool to Year 3

The Department of Employment, Education and Training (DEET) recognises the importance of the early years of a child’s life and its impact on a child’s health, wellbeing and lifelong learning. The ‘Early Years framework’ aligns the department’s priorities to support young children and their families to achieve the best from their early childhood years.

• Assessment of Student Competencies
• NT Curriculum Framework
• Strong Beginnings
• Count Me In Too

Features of Learning

• Quality preschool or early care and learning programs support life learning outcomes
• School is compulsory from the age of six.
• Reading, writing and numeracy are assessed through system-wide tests in Year 3
• The NT Curriculum Framework (NTCF) forms the basis of learning programs from preschool onwards.

Learner Characteristics

Early Years Learners:

• start to acquire skills of negotiation, self-control and cooperation
• need predictable and stable relationships for effective learning
• develop understandings of things such as size, shape, numbers and letters
• learn through supportive and challenging play and experiences that include all their senses
• refine their sense of their body in space, developing gross motor skills
• continue to be strongly influenced by the family with increasing influence from other significant adults and peers.