Malta Expat Guide

Nursery & Early Years

Your complete guide to childcare centers, kindergartens, and the Free Childcare Scheme for expat families in Malta.

Overview of Early Years Education

In Malta, the early years of education are distinctively split into two stages before compulsory primary education begins at age 5. While neither stage is legally mandatory, the vast majority of parents utilize these services to support both child development and work-life balance.

  • Childcare Centers (Ages 0-3): Focused on early development, socialization, and care for infants and toddlers. These can be run by the state, private entities, or even specific large employers.
  • Kindergarten (Ages 3-5): Often attached directly to primary schools (State, Church, or Independent). Kindergarten marks the beginning of structured, yet play-based, learning to prepare children for Year 1 of primary school.

The Free Childcare Scheme (Ages 0-3)

One of the most attractive policies for young families in Malta is the Free Childcare Scheme. Introduced to encourage parents to remain in or return to the workforce, this government initiative covers the cost of childcare for eligible families.

Who is Eligible?

The scheme is available to Maltese citizens, EU nationals, and Third-Country Nationals (TCNs) residing legally in Malta, provided BOTH parents (or the single parent) are either employed or pursuing full-time education.

How it works:

  • The government pays the childcare center directly on your behalf for a set number of hours.
  • The allocated free hours are calculated based on the working hours of the parent with the lesser workload (plus extra commuting time).
  • The scheme applies to both state-run centers and registered private childcare centers.
  • Parents only pay for extra hours outside their allowance, or specific extras like meals, nappies, or registration fees set by private centers.

Kindergarten (Ages 3 to 5)

Once a child turns 3, they transition from childcare into Kindergarten (often referred to as Kinder 1 and Kinder 2). Unlike childcare centers which offer flexible hours suited to working parents, Kindergartens operate on standard school hours (typically 8:30 AM to 2:30 PM).

State Kindergartens

Attached to local public primary schools. They are free of charge. The environment is highly bilingual (Maltese and English), making it an excellent option for long-term integration into Maltese society.

Church Kindergartens

Operated by the Catholic Church. They do not charge tuition but ask for voluntary donations. Entry is extremely difficult as it relies on a highly competitive national lottery system.

Independent Kindergartens

Attached to private schools (like San Andrea, Chiswick House, or International Schools). They are fee-paying. They operate almost exclusively in English and boast diverse, international environments.

Note for Working Parents: Because Kindergarten finishes at 2:30 PM, working parents often rely on the highly subsidized government after-school program, "Klabb 3-16", which provides supervision until 6:00 PM.

Costs and Budgeting (2026 Estimates)

If you do not qualify for the Free Childcare Scheme, or if you opt for private Independent Kindergarten, you will need to budget accordingly.

Facility Type Estimated Cost
Private Childcare (No Scheme) €3.50 - €5.50 per hour. Roughly €500 - €800 per month for full-time care.
State/Church Kindergarten Free (Church schools request voluntary donations of approx. €400 - €800 annually).
Independent Kindergarten €3,500 - €5,500 per year, plus registration fees and uniforms.

How to Enroll Your Child

  1. For the Free Childcare Scheme: You must first secure a place at a registered childcare center (state or private). Once the center confirms your spot, you submit an application to the Ministry for Education through the `freechildcare.gov.mt` portal. You will need to upload your employment contract, recent payslips, and JobsPlus registration to prove both parents are working.
  2. For State Kindergartens: Registration is handled by the local College Principal's office in your residential area. You must provide your child's birth certificate, your Maltese e-Residence cards, and a registered lease agreement as proof of address.
  3. For Independent Kindergartens: You apply directly to the private school. Expat Warning: Private English-speaking kindergartens are in massive demand. It is highly recommended to place your child on a waiting list months, or even a year, before you plan to move to Malta.