Plans for childcare centres in state schools

The government is thinking of opening childcare centres in public schools, Family Minister Dolores Cristina said yesterday.

Schools are already well-equipped to deal with children - they are child-friendly, have open spaces and enjoy the trust of parents, she said.

"It is only natural to open childcare centres within schools," she said.

Although the project - being discussed by the family and the education ministries - is still at a planning stage, Ms Cristina said, more information should be available in the next few weeks.

Speaking during a conference organised by the National Commission for the Promotion of Equality, she said opening such childcare centres carries the advantage of not needing new buildings.

Moreover, since the birth rate had dropped, the number of children attending schools had decreased, leaving space for the childcare centres.

Ms Cristina told members of the media the authorities were still looking at the localities where childcare centres were needed.

She pointed out that they should be set up in areas that did not already have any such facilities.

She also referred to standards for childcare centres, which were launched last year and are being implemented gradually.

It was better to set standards that give centres time to come in line rather than enacting a law that could lead to the closure of some of them.