A public lecture on the use of and satisfaction with child-care and small kindergarten centres in Malta is to be held at the University of Malta on Thursday, December 5.
The lecture will be given by Dr Valerie Sollars from the Faculty of Education, who will present the results of research conducted in 10 child-care centres and 13 small KG schools earlier this year.
Her study suggests the need for the public to be well-informed about options available for child-care and to educate parents in making choices for their children while ensuring good, quality care.
Although 96 per cent of the parents who participated in the survey reported that they were satisfied or highly satisfied with the information they had about the centre of their choice prior to enrolling their child, only 18 per cent chose the centre on the basis of information about the programme offered. Parents seemed happier to choose a centre on the basis of recommendations by relatives and friends or because the centre is close to home.
Yet, among the parents' comments there were remarks about the lack of safety precautions, the dearth of quality care, a high child to teacher ratio in some centres, and teachers who lacked professional qualifications.
According to the research, there is a very pressing need for the area to be well-regulated by competent authorities.
In her talk, Dr Sollars will seek to answer questions such as: What are parents' expectations of child-minding and KG centres? Are parents satisfied with the services available? What motivates service providers to open these centres and how do they ensure that standards are met and maintained?
How qualified are they for running these centres and what criteria do they adopt to employ people who will be working with young children?
The minister of education, Dr Louis Galea and Ms Helen D'Amato, chairperson of the Social Affairs Committee and representing the Ministry of Social Policy, are expected to give their reactions to the research.
Maelis Karlsson-Lohmander, Director of the Early Childhood Research & Development Centre, Goteborg University, Sweden is also expected to address the audience.
The lecture will take place at the New Gateway Building (Hall E) at 5.30pm.