Frequently Asked Questions
    What is this campaign all about?
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      The aim of the campaign is to highlight the benefits of quality childcare for children, parents and society in general. The campaign, which is partly-funded by the European Union, will consist of television and radio ads, leaflets, billboards, bus-shelters and other press advertisements. Furthermore, a national conference will be held to discuss the importance of quality childcare in the local scenario.


    • How can I make sure that the Child Care Facilities are a safe place for my children?
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      You need to become aware of and knowledgeable about the standards which have been issued in 2006 with regard quality childcare.  Visit the centres and observe all your surroundings to ensure that your child will be well-cared for and safe in that centre. You can also follow the tips offered on this website for choosing a childcare centre to help you make an informed choice.


    • What is provisional registration?
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      Facilities offering child day care services can provisionally register with the Department for Social Welfare Standards within the Ministry for the Family and Social Solidarity according to the criteria necessary for provisional registration.

      To register your facility and find out more, kindly contact the Department for Social Welfare Standards on:

      Tel: (+356) 21483116 / 7 / 8

      Fax: (+356) 21447611

      Or email welfare.standards@gov.mt



    • Which Child Care Facilities are provisionally registered?
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      A list of childcare facilities who have provisionally registered their establishments with the Department for Social Welfare standards.



    • What procedure should I follow to open a Child Care facility?
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      To open a Child care centre, please contact the Department for Social Welfare Standards on +356 21483116/7/8 or email welfare.standards@gov.mt


    • How can I become a Child Carer?
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      Since the introduction of the National Standards for Day Care Centres for children in 2006, it is important that anyone wishing to work in a childcare centre be fully qualified. There are a number of institutions which offer courses in Childcaring. One of these institutions is ETC (Employment and Training Corporation). This course offers trainees with classroom-based education on child development, child psychology, nutrition, equality issues and other important areas, as well as practical hands on training where theory is put into practice. There are also other institutions which offer training for the childcaring profession, such as MCAST.


    • I am interested in following ETC's childcare course.  What must I know and how do I go about registering my interest in the course?
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      ETC's childcare course is currently stopped but should reopen later this year.  For more inforamtion, please contact Mr. Sandro Sciberras who is coordinating the new childcare courses at our Valletta Training Centre on 21245778/9 or email sandros@etc.org.mt



    • What should I do if I have seen bad practice in a childcare centre or if I have a complaint about a particular Centre?
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      If you have a complaint or need to discuss something related to the quality of the service in a particular Childcare Centre, it is best to use the freephone and discuss it with the Department for Social Welfare Standards on 80074903.


    • What are the opening hours of these facilities?
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      Each facility has its own opening hours. Of course, this is something you must consider when registering your child with a particular centre. There are centres which open only in the mornings, while others are more flexible and can offer you their services for longer hours. This is something you should discuss with the service provider during your preliminary visit.


    • Are there any provisionally registered childcare centres in Gozo?
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      Currently there are no provisionally registered childcare centres in Gozo.  However, at the moment, the Department for Social Welfare Standards (DSWS) is evaluating a facility in relation to the application for provisional registration.  In view of this, the department would like to encourage other Childcare centres in Gozo to set an appointment for an assessment visit by DSWS so as to ensure that such facilities are also provisionally registered.  To do so, please contact us on 21483116/7.


    • I have heard, that a number of childcare centres are to open in Primary schools.  What information do you have on this?
  •  

      A number of childcare centres are planning to operate, for the summer period only, by utilizing Government primary schools for this purpose.  At the moment, the Department for Social Welfare Standards is not involved with the assessment or registration of such services, but it is envisaged that this will change in the future and such services will have to be registered and will require an assessment of their service provision.

      A few months ago, Ministers responsible for Education, Youth and Employment and Family and Social Solidarity, announced that three new centres would open but as yet, the areas and other details have not yet been made public.  We will keep you posted on any updates relating to this interesting project.





Child Focused
Structural Funds Programme for Malta 2004-2006.
Project part-financed by the European Union - European Social Fund
75% European Union 25% Malta Government
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