Impact on centres to be studied

A study is to be carried out on how child-care centres will be affected by proposed new regulations aimed at raising standards and regulating the sector.

The government's Technical Committee on Child Day Care, which drew up the proposals, has commissioned the Malta Efficiency Unit to carry out the study.

"Recommendations on how best to balance affordability of the service with high quality provision will be included in this report and the government will then consider the results and recommendations of the study," said a spokesman of the Ministry for the Family and Social Solidarity.

The proposals were launched last month for public consultation. They cover all day-care and education services provided to children under three, including child-care centres and home-based care, kindergartens, play schools and nurseries. The ministry said there were about 40 private child-care facilities in Malta.

The proposed regulations lay down minimum standards - where so far there have been none - for carers' qualifications, physical environment, health and safety, behaviour management and educational input, among other aspects.

A limited study carried out two years ago by a member of the technical committee had found some serious shortcomings in a number of centres.

The ministry was asked whether, besides the quality aspect, it had any plans to try and increase the provision and take-up of child-care services, especially in the light of the need to increase the percentage of women in the labour market.

"While quantity is important, the main focus of the document is to safeguard the rights and interests of children," said the spokes-man, Laura Mifsud Bonnici.

"The role of child care is multifold - it promotes social solidarity, employment, children's development and social equity amongst others.

"The government will not assume the role of national provider. Our child-care facility, Smartkids, at Access in Cottonera, is an unqualified success and an example of best practice which should be repeated in other central localities.

"However, the government is not planning to be a service provider of child-care services - at least not on a national level - like kindergartens."

The ministry added that regulation will ensure better quality and is bound to play a role in increasing take-up of child-care and development services for children under three.

"The ministry already receives requests by parents, on a regular basis, for a list of approved, licensed centres."

Besides the private facilities, there are a number of child-care services at the place of work such as at St Luke's Hospital and at the university. The Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology is also planning to open a centre.

Under the proposals, the services will be monitored by the Development and Regulating Unit within the Department for Family Welfare. The unit will also help existing child-care providers to upgrade and improve their service.

The ministry said the committee would like to encourage providers of such services who haven't made contact to do so at their earliest. This would enable them to obtain the necessary support and information so that they would be in line with proposed regulations and eligible to obtain a licence.

Parents are also invited to make contact if they require information on child-care standards.

Address: The Technical Committee on Child Day Care, Ministry for the Family and Social Solidarity, Palazzo Ferreria, Republic Street, Valletta.

E-mail: childcare@gov.mt
Tel: 2590 3133 or 2590 3132