The free childcare in Malta are the solution for many people who come here with the aim of studying and working on the island.
Although parents must initially pay for private day care, there is the possibility of accessing public day care centres which are part of the Maltese government's free scheme.
Here, we have compiled some frequently asked questions about how the free childcare scheme works in Malta and below you will find the most up to date information so that you are aware of everything you need to know.
What is the free childcare scheme in Malta?
Free childcare in Malta is part of an initiative launched in April 2014. Through this programme, the local government provides childcare services for parents of children under 3 years of age.
Parents or guardians of children, who work and need care and attention for their children, may be eligible for this benefit.
Who is eligible for the free childcare programme?
Your child will be eligible for this benefit if he or she is between 3 months and 3 years old, and if both parents work and pay social security. In the case of single parents, they must provide documentation proving this status.
How do I apply for the free childcare scheme in Malta?
You have to fill in some forms, hosted on the site https://freechildcare.gov.mt and you will have to submit this application together with some documents. We recommend that you talk to the day care centre of your choice, because they usually do all the paperwork for you.
What documents do I need to apply for the scheme?
- As you are a foreigner, it is important that your work is registered with Jobsplus and you must provide proof of this.
- Last 3 payslips, which in English would be the proof of payment of your salary from your employer (in some cases you can apply with only one).
- A letter from your employer stating your type of contract, hours to be worked and salary.
Read our full guide to childcare in Malta for children under 3 years old here.
Is there a waiting list for the free scheme?
At the moment, no. The scheme is ongoing and available to receive any application. On the other hand, some childcare centres may not have availability. We suggest you contact the childcare centre first and do all the paperwork through them.
Can free day-care centres in Malta charge additional fees?
No. If you have the benefit of free childcare in Malta, the centre you have chosen can only make a registration charge.. In addition, the institutions carry out extracurricular and non-compulsory activities which will be paid for.
Once I start at one day care centre, can I change to another?
If for any reason you have to change institution, you must notify the current institution at least one month in advance. The previous institution must in turn notify the office in charge, and the new one must register it as well.
You should know that if you register at one of the day care centres in Malta, you are signing a commitment with this centre, therefore, you must follow all the corresponding policies and conditions of service.
How many hours can my child stay in childcare?
The number of hours will depend on the number of hours the parents work. Once your scheme is approved, you will receive a letter telling you how many hours your child has.
If the number of hours parents work cannot be calculated exactly, the system will give you an average number of hours per month.
If you do not wish to use all the hours, you can choose the number of hours you wish and reserve them month by month. Attendance at the programme will be calculated according to the number of hours you have booked for each month. This is a process that is done in advance, directly with one of the free childcare centres in Malta that you have chosen.
What happens if my child is sick and does not attend the booked times?
Each child has a 25% of absences available, calculated on the basis of their booked hours. If the child is absent due to illness, they must present a medical certificate stating that they are able to return and the time of absence will be deducted from that 25%.
In the case of holidays and other absences, it is important to give prior notice, to avoid losing the benefit or incurring additional charges.
If I have further questions, who can I turn to?
For more information, you can contact the regular channels of the government office.
Telephone: 2598 1167 / 2598 1168
E-mail: [email protected]
How can I get help from Boom Studies with my processes on the island?
If you purchased a Boom premium membership StudiesIf you have a child or even yourself, you will be able to access accompaniment in a procedure, whether for your children or even for yourself.
