A new childcare centre in Pembroke, Il-Merill, was officially opened yesterday by Education Minister Dolores Cristina who said that while such centres helped parents strike a balance between work and the family they “still have the duty and obligation to be the first educators of their children”. This is the third centre the government opened his year following those in Cospicua and Siġġiewi. Mrs Cristina said another two centres would be opened in Floriana and Sta Venera next year.