A rural Darwin childcare centre and three of its staff have been charged after the death of toddler Ebony Thompson in 2023.

The 22-month-old died after becoming trapped on a fence at the Humpty Doo Community & Child Care Centre during a period of up to 10 minutes in which she was unaccounted-for.

On Tuesday, the NT government confirmed the education department had charged the centre and three of its supervisors for inadequately supervising children and inadequately protecting children from harm and hazards.

In a statement, Northern Territory Education Minister Jo Hersey said "childcare centres need to be held accountable".

"This is the first time childcare staff have been charged in the Northern Territory, which sends a clear message child safety must come first," the minister said.

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