European election candidates today visited the Kidstart Childcare & Development Centre and exchanged views with the management on measures facilitating the lives of working mothers, maternity and paternal leave and other measures promoting work-life balance within the theme: Elezzjonijiet Ewropej 2014: Nahdmu ghal Xoghol Ahjar.
MEP candidates Arnold Cassola, Therese Comidini Cachia, Peter Cordina, Miriam Dalli, and Norman Vella toured the premises and interacted with the childcarers and the children during their play-time.
Ms Rosette Thake and Ms Lorraine Spiteri Managing Partners of Vista Co-op explained that the centre offers childcare for ages 0-5 years, started operations 7 years ago and has seen the transit of hundreds of children and parents making use of the facility.
”Trends have changed in the last 7 years. Parents are becoming more accustomed to the idea of childcare and this is making it possible for young mothers and fathers to pursue a career in full comfort that their children are properly cared for,” said Mrs Thake while mentioning that parents need to verify that childcare facilities are provided by trained carers. The centre’s staff are qualified with diplomas in childcare.
PL candidate Miriam Dalli highlighted the need to support the female portion of society to enter into employment, a need which is constantly growing as more and more females reach post-secondary and teritiary education. Dalli also outlined the importance of having childcare centres conform to high regulations for the benefit of children.
AD candidate Arnold Cassola said that the government’s new scheme is a good initiative especially in the crisis that the Maltese education system is said to be facing due to the level of school absenteeism. He believes that children who are introduced to a fun-learning structure from a tender age as in these childcare centres can be the best antedote against the perception among some parents that education in life is secondary.
PN candidate Norman Vella stressed the value of children as the lifestem of our continent, explaining that issues such as maternity leave and work-life balance should be construed as investment that result in the overall good of our country, even from an economic perspective. Vella also lauded the initiative of the childcarers who created a work opportunity from a problem they themselves had faced years ago, having themselves been working mothers.
Therese Comodini Cachia, also a PN candidate, welcomed the valuable work of the childcare centres while also streessing the importance that these structures adhere to high regulatory standards, even in the recruitment of qualified and dedicated staff that offers peace of mind to the parents. She also highlighted the need to involve the fathers in the upbringing of the children.
Peter Cordina, PL candidate, welcomed the initiative and highlighted ht eneed ot have propoerly designed childcare centres which offer parents the security of mind that their children are in good hands.
Dr Peter Agius, Head of the European Parliament said that this visit is part of the thematic campaign leading ot the European Elections on 24 May. ”In the run up to these elections we have duty to put our choices in context. MEPs are taking decisions affecting the labour market and striving to promote the role of women in society. The Union has been pushing an agenda for the inclusion of women in the workforce and equality at the workplace. It all starts in places like this.”
Dr Agius also recalled that the year 2014 has been designated as the European Year for reconciling work with family life.