The free day care centers in Malta are the solution for many people who come here with the objective 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 centers that 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 program, 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 program?
Your son or daughter 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 must fill in some forms, hosted on the site https://freechildcare.gov.mt and you will have to submit this application along with some documents. We recommend you to talk to the daycare center of your choice, because usually they are the ones who 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 Spanish, would be the proof of payment of your salary by your company (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 complete guide to childcare in Malta for children under 3 years old here.
Is there a waiting list for the free scheme?
At this time, no. The scheme is ongoing and available to receive any application. On the other hand, some daycare centers may not have availability. We suggest you contact the daycare center first and do all the paperwork through them.
Can free day care centers in Malta charge additional fees?
No. If you have the benefit of free childcare in Malta, the center you have chosen can only charge a registration fee.. In addition, the institutions carry out extracurricular and non-compulsory activities that will be paid for.
Once I start at one day care center, can I switch to another?
If for any reason you must change institutions, you must notify the current center at least one month in advance. The previous center must in turn notify the office in charge and the new one must also register it.
You should know that if you register in one of the day care centers in Malta, you are signing a commitment with this center, therefore, you must follow all the corresponding policies and conditions of service.
How many hours can my child be in day care?
The hourly load will depend on the number of hours the parents work. Once your scheme is approved, you will receive a letter indicating the hours available to your son or daughter.
If the number of hours the parents work cannot be calculated accurately, 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 amount you want and reserve them month by month. The program attendance will be calculated according to the amount of hours you have booked for each month. This is a process that is done in advance, directly with one of the free childcare centers in Malta that you have chosen.
What happens if my child gets sick and does not attend the reserved hours?
Each child has a 25% of available absences, calculated based on his or her reserved hours. If the child is absent due to illness, they must present a doctor's certificate stating that they are able to return and the time of absence will be deducted from that 25%.
In the case of vacations 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.
Phone: 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 have access to support in a procedure.
