Place guarantee to ECEC
Childcare Centres and Kindergarten Settings are non-compulsory, there is also no shortage of places for parents who wish to enrol their children in Childcare Centres or Kindergarten settings. The Government employs as much personnel as necessary to make sure that the demand is met. Attendance at childcare level, that is, less than 3 years, was at 43.1% in 2022 (Eurostat, 2023). This is 7.2% higher than the European average, which is at 35.9. In 2021, attendance at kindergarten level, that is, children from age 3 to starting age of compulsory education, was at 86.2% (Eurostat, 2023). This is 6.3% lower than the European average, which is at 92.5%.
Affordability
Childcare Centres
In 2014, the Government introduced the Free Childcare Scheme for children aged from three months to three years of age. Free Childcare is terminated once the child is eligible to enrol into Kinder 1. This scheme entitles all parents who are in employment, or in education, or not in employment due to terminal illness, to avail themselves of free childcare. Other vulnerable cases may be eligible for the Free Childcare Scheme however, the cases are evaluated on a case-by-case basis and subject to the submission of proof as requested. The rate paid by Jobsplus (Malta’s Public Employment Service) includes staff costs and consumables while it does not cover outings, food, nappies, wipes and others related to the individual needs of the child.
All Childcare Centres licenced by the Directorate for Quality and Standards in Education can join the scheme. As of October 2023, a total of 186 Childcare Centres were participating in the free childcare scheme. To ensure eligibility, parents who are in employment and thus paying social security contributions need to provide a copy of the three latest payslips and a declaration by their employer stating their working hours. When applying for the Free Childcare Scheme, Parents in education must provide a statement of course attendance from the respective educational institute or a statement of course recognition from the Malta Further and Higher Education Authority if the course being followed is not provided in Malta. The Government also helps parents who enrol their children in private Childcare Centres but opt out of the free childcare scheme through an income tax deduction of up to EUR2,000.
Kindergarten settings
Kindergarten education for children aged 3 to 5 is provided free-of-charge in all State and Church schools. State-run Kindergarten settings can be found in practically all localities of Malta and Gozo, very often within the same premises of the state primary schools. This makes Kindergartens more accessible for parents. Kindergarten education is also available in Independent Schools and Independent Kindergarten Settings. Within private provision, fees are not regulated.
Parents who pay fees in respect of childcare services for their children are entitled to a deduction against their income (for every child) equivalent to the lower of €2,000 or the fees actually paid during the year. The service provider has to be approved by the Directorate for Quality and Standards in Education.