2024
There was no major measure in this domain this year.
2023
Directorate for Quality and Standards in Education launches 2 documents
In July 2023, the Directorate for Quality and Standards in Education (DQSE) within the Ministry for Education, Sport, Youth, Research and Innovation, which is responsible for the quality assurance of ECEC and compulsory school education, launched two documents namely The National Quality Standards in Education (3-16 Years) and A Quality Assurance Framework for Education in Malta (0-16 years). Further details can be found in Chapter 14.2.
2022
Implementation of the National Standards for Early Childhood Education and Care Services (0-3 years)
Following the publication of the National Standards for Early Childhood Education and Care Services (0-3 years), the Directorate for Quality and Standards in Education (DQSE) developed an implementation plan. The plan is implemented through a quality assurance exercise carried out regularly with childcare service providers. This quality assurance exercise focuses both on ‘Structure’ quality, which is mainly concerned with the compliance and the quality of the environment, as well as ‘Process’ quality, which deals with the care, learning and play aspect in childcare settings. A set of professional development sessions for childcare centres staff, especially regarding the introduction of internal review processes within childcare centres, is also being planned.
Launch of MQF Level 3 Award in Assistant to the Childcare Educator
The Institute for Education (IFE), in conjunction with the Quality Assurance Department within the Ministry for Education, Sport, Youth, Research and Innovation, has launched an Award entitled Assistant to the Child Care Educator (MQF Level 3, 30 ECTS), to improve the level and competencies of those aspiring to become childcare assistants in order to facilitate and strengthen their employability.
Implementation plan for the Early Childhood Education and Care - National Policy for Malta and Gozo (0-7 years)
In order to successfully implement the Early Childhood Education and Care - National Policy Framework for Malta and Gozo (0-7 years), a working group will be set up, tasked with developing an implementation plan for the implementation of the policy. The policy has five main areas: access, workforce, curriculum, monitoring and governance. The Directorate for Quality and Standards in Education is partly implementing the policy through evaluation and monitoring of educational institutions offering Early Childhood Education and Care.
Training of all childcare educators within the Foundation for Educational Services (FES) childcare centres in Child Led Approach
FES will be funding a ‘Train the Trainer’ concept by providing intensive training to childcare centre coordinators within FES childcare centres. With this training, coordinators would be more confident and knowledgeable to mentor and support the Childcare Educators (CEs) in the Child Led Approach. This would result in a sustainable change with current and new staff and with the source of training being carried out in-house and with external agencies.