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Eurydice

EACEA National Policies Platform:Eurydice
National reforms in early childhood education and care

Malta

14.Ongoing reforms and policy developments

14.1National reforms in early childhood education and care

Last update: 13 March 2024

2024

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.

2021

National Standards for Early Childhood Education and Care (0-3 years) -National Policy Framework for Malta and Gozo

Early Childhood Education and Care October 2021 (0–7 years) National Policy Framework for Malta and Gozo,


In October 2021, the Directorate for Quality and Standards in Education (DQSE), responsible for the quality assurance of Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) services (0-3 years), published the Early Childhood Education and Care October 2021 (0–7 years) National Policy Framework for Malta and Gozo. This document identifies five primary goals in achieving the national vision in Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) where the focus is for young children’s development to be maximised.

National Standards for Early Childhood Education and Care Services (0-3 years)

National Standards for Early Childhood Education and Care Services (0-3 years)
In October 2021, the Directorate for Quality and Standards in Education (DQSE), responsible for the quality assurance of Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) services (0-3 years), published the National Standards for Early Childhood Education and Care Services (0-3 years). These standards supersede the National Standards for Child Care Facilities, published in 2006.  The new standards reflect the significant changes and development in the area of early years education. The need for a review of these standards was also brought about by the fact that the area of ECEC has been included as one of the main areas of foci towards achieving the targets outlined in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) in particular target SDG 4 which aims to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.

The objectives of the updated National Standards for Early Childhood Education and Care Services (0-3 years) are to:

 

•    Reflect recent developments in the ECEC (0-3) field within the Maltese context;

 

•    Be in line with ongoing ECEC research for children aged (0-3 years);

 

•    Develop and strengthen a more socially just and active labour market in Malta by sustaining availability and accessibility to quality ECEC services;

 

•    Ensure that these standards, are consistent with the overall framework for Early Years pedagogy (0-7 years) within the National Curriculum for All (2012);


The DQSE appointed a reference group including practitioners and experts in the fields of ECEC provision for under 3-year-olds. This reference group provided initial feedback and independent advice on the draft of the proposed standards.  During the period between June and July 2021, a wider public consultation exercise was carried out.  The feedback emerging from this exercise informed amendments that needed to be carried out prior to finalization of the document.

These newly revised standards are informed by the principles of the National Curriculum Framework for All (2012) as well as national policies and international research that incorporate the key elements of best practices in ECEC, including the Proposal for key principles of a Quality Framework for Early Childhood Education and Care under the auspices of the European Commission (DG Education and Culture, European Commission, 2014).

Top-up degree for Early Years Education

The Institute of Education and MCAST are jointly offering a top-up degree to provide Kindergarten Educators in Malta the opportunity to further enhance their skills and competences while obtaining a Bachelor of Arts in Early Years Education and Care. This top-up degree is open to those in possession of an MQF level 5 diploma.

MQF Level 3 Award in Assistant to the Child Care Educator

The Institute for Education (IFE), in conjunction with the Quality Assurance Department within the Ministry for Education and Sports, is working on the accreditation of an Award in 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.  

National Standards for Early Childhood Education and Care Services (0-3 years) consultation

In May 2021, the Directorate for Quality and Standards in Education (DQSE), responsible for the quality assurance of Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) services (0-3 years), launched a consultation to update the National Standards for Early Childhood Education and Care Services (0-3 years) to reflect the significant changes and development in the area of early years education. The need for a review of these standards was also brought about by the fact that the area of ECEC has been included as one of the main areas of foci towards achieving the targets outlined in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) in particular target SDG 4 which aims to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.


The objectives of the updated National Standards for Early Childhood Education and Care Services (0-3 years) are to:


•    Reflect recent developments in the ECEC (0-3) field within the Maltese context;


•    Be in line with ongoing ECEC research for children aged (0-3 years);


•    Develop and strengthen a more socially just and active labour market in Malta by sustaining availability and accessibility to quality ECEC services;


•    Ensure that these standards, are consistent with the overall framework for Early Years pedagogy (0-7 years) within the National Curriculum for All (2012);

 

The DQSE appointed a reference group including practitioners and experts in the fields of ECEC provision for under 3-year-olds. This reference group provided initial feedback and independent advice on the draft of the proposed standards.  


During the period between June and July 2021, a wider public consultation exercise was carried out.  The feedback emerging from this exercise will inform amendments that need to be carried out prior to finalizing the document.  The updated version of the National Standards for Early Childhood Education and Care Services (0-3) will be officially launched by end 2021/ beginning 2022.  


These newly revised standards are informed by the principles of the National Curriculum Framework for All (2012) as well as national policies and international research that incorporate the key elements of best practices in ECEC, including the Proposal for key principles of a Quality Framework for Early Childhood Education and Care under the auspices of the European Commission (DG Education and Culture, European Commission, 2014).

Early Childhood Education and Care - National Policy Framework for Malta and Gozo (2021)

Several factors have led to the need to develop a National Policy Framework for Early Childhood Education and Care. There has been increasing awareness that developments in society, the economy and the environment have direct impact on child development and consequently the wellbeing of tomorrow’s adults. It has also become increasingly evident that the early years are the starting point for successful lifelong learning and that these are integral in addressing sustainable development goals. Indeed, the increasing importance of investing in young children, safeguarding them, and the need to realise their rights, learning and holistic development fuelled the need for a National Policy Framework for Early Childhood Education and Care. Additionally, the potential advantages of high quality ECEC are significant, far-reaching, and long-lasting. 


The publication of this policy framework is another step towards a comprehensive high-quality ECEC provision in the Maltese context. The final aim is to address the fundamental need for a multi-sectoral response embedded within an integrated ECEC system. Additionally, this policy framework is being regarded as an opportunity to maximise young children’s development which will profoundly impact on children’s future learning, health and earning potential which can perpetuate intergenerational benefits. It will also contribute to sustain the G20 Action Plan on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (2016). The policy framework focuses on five priority areas, which are, access, workforce, curriculum, monitoring, and governance. These five priority areas follow on the European Commission’s Council Recommendation on High-Quality Early Childhood Education and Care Systems which was adopted by the EU Member States’ Education Ministers in 2019. Shedding light on these five goals will provide the necessary framework that will guide and sustain high quality practice which is so important for the continual improvement of all services related to Early Childhood Education and Care.

 

Top-up degree for Early years Education and care
The Institute of Education is working with MCAST to offer a top-up degree to provide Kindergarten Educators in Malta with a means to further enhance their skills and competences while obtaining a Bachelor of Arts in Early Years Education and Care. This top up degree will be open to those in possession of an MQF level 5 diploma.