Free childcare could encourage women to get jobs but the released White Paper does not provide this service for working parents after their child turns three, according to the National Council of Women.

The council welcomed the document Early Childhood Education and Care in Malta – The Way Forward, which was released and uploaded on the Education Ministry’s website earlier this month.

The electoral proposal to offer free childcare up to the age of three could be an incentive for women seeking employment, it said.

However, the NCW added that this was a family issue, not just a woman’s issue, and both parents should be able to use this possibility.

The council noted that although the White Paper addressed childcare facilities, it did not address the issue of matching childcare provision with working hours of both parents: specifically for children older than three.

“Babies and toddlers grow up and women will still need to go to work when children are in kindergarten or primary school.

“NCW feels that a holistic approach must be taken, including addressing summer periods when schools are closed.

“A possible solution would require an increase in staff and adequate facilities that perhaps can be set up through private-public partnerships.”

Employing qualified staff and the adult-to-child ratio were crucial aspects of the proposed scheme and all childcare facilities should also be registered to ensure regulations were observed.

The council emphasised the “absolute” need for staff to be well-trained.

Meanwhile, men should be encouraged to take up relevant courses as they had excellent caring skills, it added.