The Education Minister, Evarist Bartolo announced today that the Government will be paying €3 an hour per child to child care centres catering for children aged up to three years and interested in being part of a public private partnership.

The Minister added that parents currently paid an average €2.25 for childcare, meaning that the Government will be paying the Centres at a higher rate. “Childcare would be paid for during the hours the parent were at work and an extra hour a day to cover commuting.

Those parents who wish to benefit from the scheme, need to register their children at a registered child care centre, as well as with the Education Department. Both parents must also be in full-time or part-time employment.

Minister Bartolo said that according to a Government survey, by next year there would be a 30% increase over the current demand, as parents had been aseked if they were prepared to work more if they had access to safe and free childcare.

A White Paper on childcare is available online on the Education Ministry’s website. The Government is inviting suggestions on the Paper to childcare@gov.mt.

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