Q: WHAT ARE THE STANDARDS FOR EARLY
CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AND CARE SERVICES?
The
National Standards for Early Childhood Education and Care Services were launched by the
DQSE in October 2021 to regulate the running of Childcare Centres. The Standards
regulate both the process and the structure quality of the service. These are
further complimented by the Registration Criteria for Early Childhood
Education and Care Services which establishes the regulations and criteria that the
Legally Responsible Person (LRP) must comply with, prior to opening an Early
Childhood Education and Care centre and maintain during operation. These
established criteria specifically relate to the design and layout of the
premises, as well as the facilities and the documentation required to operate.
Q: IS THERE ANY LEGISLATION THAT
COVERS THE OPERATIONS AND USE OF EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AND CARE SERVICES
(0-3 YEARS)?
The Education Act (Cap 605) covers the
operation and use of Early Childhood Education and Care centre.
Q: WHAT PROCEDURE SHOULD I FOLLOW TO OPEN AN EARLY CHILDHOOD
EDUCATION AND CARE CENTRE?
You may
access information regarding opening a new Early Childhood Education and Care
centres by clicking here. Should you require further information, please contact the
Directorate for Quality and Standards in Education within the Ministry for
Education and Employment on +356 25981400 or email: customercare.dqse@gov.mt
The
Department will provide guidance and assistance regarding the provision of Early
Childhood Education and Care services.
Q: HOW CAN I OBTAIN A LICENCE TO
RUN AN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AND CARE CENTRE?
The
Education Act establishes that it is unlawful to establish and run any childcare centre without a valid licence. The applicationfor Licencing of a New Early Childhood Education and Care centre can
be filled in online and submitted together with the required supporting
documentation. Once all documents are
evaluated by the DQSE and are found to be according to requirements a site
visit is conducted. On completion of the visit, officers inform the LRP whether
all conditions have been satisfactorily addressed or whether any further action
is required. Once all conditions have
been addressed satisfactorily, a recommendation is made to issue a temporary
Licence which is valid for 6 months. A
review visit is held before the expiry of the temporary licence during which
officers conduct a full assessment of the centre. Based on the outcomes of the
review visit the licence may be issued or further temporary licence may be issued
valid for 1 year if not all standards have been addressed satisfactorily.
Q: WHICH EARLY CHILDHOOD
EDUCATION AND CARE CENTRES ARE LICENCED?
Please click here to find the entire list of Licenced Early Childhood Education and
Care centres.
Q: HOW CAN A POTENTIAL SERVICE PROVIDER APPLY FOR CLEARANCE OF PROTECTION OF MINERS FROM THE LAW COURTS?
One can download the template to request the Law Courts for clearance in terms of the Protection of Minors (Registration) Act.
Q: WHAT ARE THE OPENING HOURS OF
EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AND CARE CENTRES?
Every centre is free to establish
its own operating hours. You may have to contact a number of providers to find
a service which suits your particular needs.
Please to find the entire list of Licenced Early Childhood Education and Care
centres.
Q: HOW CAN I CHOOSE AN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AND CARE CENTRES WHICH MEETS THE
NEEDS OF MY CHILD AND FAMILY?
An Information Booklet for Parents and
Guardians looking for an Early Childhood Education and Care centre may be accessed by clicking here. This booklet is a
practical tool for any parent/guardian who wants to be informed prior to deciding
on which centre to send their child to. It gives readers a clear idea of what
to expect from a Childcare Centre and addresses frequently asked questions that
any parent/guardian may ask.
Q: I’M CONCERNED ABOUT MY CHILD BEING LEFT WITH SOMEONE IRRESPONSIBLE OR WITH A
PERSON WHO HAS A CRIMINAL RECORD. HOW CAN THE SERVICE PROVIDER REASSURE ME THAT
THIS WILL NEVER HAPPEN?
The
Ministry for Education requires that all persons employed within Early Childhood
Education and Care centres are of good conduct and all employees have to supply
detailed police conduct to support this requirement. Furthermore, in compliance
with the Standards, the employees have to provide two referees to attest to
their good character and moral conduct. Furthermore, each centre is to have all
its employees cleared according to the Protection of Minors (Registration) Act
on a yearly basis. The DQSE checks this documentation for all centres on a
yearly basis.
Q: I AM WORRIED THAT MY CHILD WOULD GET
SICK FROM ILLNESSES THAT OTHER CHILDREN MIGHT HAVE WHILE ATTENDING THE CENTRE.
All
centres should follow a clear Sick Child Policy. Prior to registering your
child with a centre, it is important that you inquire whether such a policy is
in place. If you are still concerned that adequate precautions are not being
taken, discuss this with the service provider. If still unconvinced, it is
important to shop around to find the most suitable centre which follows a
satisfactory Sick Child Policy.
Q: HOW COULD I KNOW THAT MY CHILD IS HAPPY
IN THE EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AND CARE CENTRE AND PARTICIPATING
IN THE DAILY ACTIVITIES?
The
Standards stipulate that the service provider is to work closely with parents.
Parents are to be encouraged to involve themselves in their children’s progress
at the centre. The presence of parents within the facility should also be
encouraged and supported. If these policies are followed, parents would have
the opportunity to see for themselves whether their children are happy and
participating in the daily activities.
Q: SHOULD I BE CONCERNED THAT AN EARLY
CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AND CARE CENTRE EMPLOYS YOUNG INEXPERIENCED STAFF?
In
accordance with the Standards, all staff, irrespective of age, must possess a
qualification in childcare. The mix and match of energy and maturity in staff
members provides for supervision and promotes good quality service for the children.
Q: SHOULD I BE CONCERNED IF MY CHILD DOES
NOT BRING ANY WORK TO CONTINUE FROM HOME?
Early
Childhood Education and Care services are meant to complement the home
environment and to help the child develop independence and social skills
through play. Play within the age group 0 to 3 is the basic and most essential
aspect of learning. To assign homework to children of this age is
counterproductive, places them under unnecessary stress and makes the more
formal learning approach at a later stage unattractive.
Q: I'M WORRIED THAT PHOTOS OF MY CHILD ARE TAKEN WHILE ATTENDING AN EARLY CHILDHOOD
EDUCATION AND CARE CENTRE.
To
take photos of the children attending their centre, the Service Providers
should first acquire written consent from the parents/guardians. Service
providers may take photographs of the children when they are involved in
activities so that parents can follow what their children are doing at the
centre. However, in such cases, the service provider still needs written
permission and parents have every right to refuse.
Q: WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I HAVE SEEN BAD PRACTICE IN A CHILDCARE
CENTRE OR IF I HAVE A COMPLAINT ABOUT A PARTICULAR FACILITY?
Please
click here for procedure to file a complaint.
Q: WHAT PROCEDURE SHOULD I FOLLOW TO OPEN AN EARLY CHILDHOOD
EDUCATION AND CARE CENTRE?
You may
access information regarding opening a new Early Childhood Education and Care
centres by clicking here. Should you require further information, please contact the
Directorate for Quality and Standards in Education within the Ministry for
Education and Employment on +356 25981400 or email: customercare.dqse@gov.mt
The
Department will provide guidance and assistance regarding the provision of Early
Childhood Education and Care services.
Q: HOW SHOULD AN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AND CARE CENTRE
HANDLE A SITUATION WHERE A CHILD IS BELIEVED TO BE SUFFERING FROM AN INFECTIOUS
DISEASE?
Should
a centre suspect or be notified that one of the children under its care is/has
been suffering from an infectious illness, the Manager of that facility shall
report the case to the Infectious Disease Prevention and Control Unit.
The Infectious Disease Prevention and Control Unit will provide further
guidance on precautionary measures to be taken by the Child Day Care Facility
to prevent the spread of infection. The Infectious Disease and Control Unit can
be contacted on the following contact numbers and email address:
Office
Hours (+356)23266109/ 122/ 119/ 111/ 117/ 145/ 146
Out
of Office Hours (+356)21332235/ 21324086
Email
address disease.surveillance@gov.mt