Service for working parents

Working parents can leave their children at school after hours and during school holidays and carry on with their career once a new government service kicks off.

Klabb 3-16, launched yesterday by the Foundation for Educational Services, is primarily intended for parents who would like to work but cannot do so because they have to care for their children. It forms part of the government's efforts to raise the number of women in the labour market. Children will do their homework after school with the assistance of teachers and take part in several activities together with play workers.

The service will this year only be available at three centres, kicking off on October 5 at the Birkirkara primary school, October 12 in Fgura primary and October 15 in Naxxar primary. Other schools will be included over the next few years.

It costs €1.20 an hour. However, a subsidy is available for parents who satisfy certain criteria, such as attending a course to advance their career or those who would like to switch from part-time to full-time work. The foundation would subsidise 85 per cent of the cost in such cases.

Registration will open a few days before each centre starts operating.