THE FREE CHILDCARE SCHEME IS AN INITIATIVE WHICH WAS LAUNCHED IN APRIL 2014, WHEREBY GOVERNMENT PROVIDES FREE CHILDCARE SERVICES TO PARENTS/GUARDIANS WHO WORK OR WHO ARE PURSUING THEIR EDUCATION. 

Who is eligible for the Free Childcare Scheme? 

Children whose parents are either both employed or in education can benefit from the free childcare scheme. ‘Parents in work’ refers to both parents/guardians who are employed, or a single mother/ father/guardian who is employed and paying social security contributions. ‘Parents in education’ refers to parents/guardians who are pursuing their education, leading to a recognised qualification. In this case, applicants have to provide a statement of course attendance from the respective educational institution. In addition to the application, applicants not following a course at the University of Malta, MCAST or ITS are to provide a statement of course recognition from the NCFHE (National Commission for Higher Education). In the case of single parents, applicants should provide evidence of their current status. Documentation submitted should be: either the child’s birth certificate or a legal document, such as a Decree/rikors from the Maltese Courts, indicating that the single parent has full care and custody of the child. In the case of fostering parents, applicants are to provide an official document from the Fostering Board and additional supporting documentation. The scheme may also be extended to parents who are not in employment due to terminal illnesses. 

The age group for this scheme is for children from three months up to three years of age. Free Childcare is terminated once the child is eligible to enrol into Kindergarten 1 provided by the state. State kindergarten has two intakes during each scholastic year: 1st October and 1st February. Children will be admitted to Kindergarten 1 on the 1st October provided that the child would have attained three years of age by the end of December. Children will be admitted to Kindergarten 1 on the 1st February provided that the child would have attained three years of age by the end of April. Using Scholastic year 2019 / 2020 as an example, a child is eligible for Kindergarten 1 on the 1st of October 2020 once he/she would have attained three (3) years of age by the end of December 2020. A child is eligible for Kindergarten 1 on the 1st of February 2020 once he/she would have attained three years of age by the end of April 2020. Therefore, all children who will be three years of age by the 31 December 2020 will no longer be eligible for free childcare with effect from the 1st of October 2020. After this, all children who will be 3 years of age by the 30th of April 2020 will no longer be eligible for free childcare with effect from the 1st of February 2020. It is important to note that this applies to all children, even those whose parents/guardians intend on sending their children to a Church or Independent kindergarten. Once a child becomes eligible for kindergarten as indicated above, the Free Childcare Scheme will be terminated. Parents on parental leave/career break leave are not eligible for the scheme. 

How do I apply for the Free Childcare Scheme? 

Application forms can be downloaded either from the link above, from the Jobsplus official website or collected from your preferred Childcare Centre. Once the application is complete - along with all the requested documentation - you are to present it to your preferred Childcare Centre which will then pass it on to the Free Childcare Scheme Office. Any missing or incomplete information in the application may result in delays in application processing. 

For further assistance about this scheme, do not hesitate to get in touch with us and the manager will be glad to explain further in detail.