Childcare and School in Malta: Who is Eligible and How To Apply

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If you’re a parent looking to learn more about childcare in Malta and the school system here, this page is just for you! So, keep reading on to find all about who is eligible and how to apply for childcare and school in Malta.

Malta’s Free Childcare Scheme

Parents and guardians in employment or who are studying can benefit from free childcare. This is provided directly through government services or through Registered Childcare Centres. You can find a list of childcare centres that fall under the government scheme here .

Good to know!

• You can benefit from free childcare until your little one becomes old enough to attend kindergarten, that is age 3. State schools have two kindergarten intakes: February and September. Some church and independent schools only have one intake – September. So if your child turns three before September, but you want to enrol them at a church or independent school, you have to pay for childcare services to cover those extra months.
• You can book more childcare hours than those you’re entitled to under the free childcare scheme. Extra hours have to be paid to the childcare provider.
• If your child is absent for more than 25% of the hours you booked, then you have to pay for those missed hours, even if your child missed those days due to sickness.
• Free childcare is extended during maternity leave, but not parental leave.

How to apply for free childcare:

1. Print and fill in this form .
2. Apply directly with your preferred Childcare Centre. If they can accept your child, they will forward the application to the Free Childcare Unit to determine eligibility.
3. Together with your application, you have to submit the following documents:
   If you’re a student:

1. i) Statement of course attendance from educational institution.
2. ii) Statement of course recognition from the NCFHE.

If you’re employed:

1. i) 3 most recent payslips of the eligible parent (defined as a mother or single parent (mother or father) who is in work or pursuing studies).
2. ii) A declaration from the employer of both the eligible parent and, were applicable, the 2nd parent (defined as a father who is already in employment and or education) stating:

Fixed schedule: average number of weekly working hours and the number of days of work per week.

Flexible schedule: average number of monthly working hours and the number of days of work per month.

If you’re self-employed:

1. i) The most recent tax return and relevant acknowledgement from the Inland Revenue Department.
2. ii) A declaration stating:

Fixed schedule: average number of weekly working hours and the number of days of work per week.

Flexible schedule: average number of monthly working hours and the number of days of work per month.

iii) An eligible parent claiming sole custody of the child will have to provide legal documentation that indicates that this parent has full care and custody of the child.

1. iv) All parents, be they employed or self-employed, are responsible, if necessary, to have their position with Jobsplus regularised. Any eventual checks by the Department which proves otherwise may result in disqualification from the free childcare scheme and possible legal action.

You may need to pay a registration fee to secure your child’s place at the childcare centre and to cover the application process.

Paying for childcare privately

Parents/guardians who pay for childcare can benefit from a tax rebate. You can contact the Office of the Commissioner for Revenue to ask for the latest capping and tax deduction form.

Education in Malta

Education in Malta is compulsory from age 5 to 16 and is offered through three different providers: the state, the church, and the private sector.

Who is eligible for state school?

• Children who are of kinder age (three years old or will turn three before the end of year)
• Foreign students
• Students from church or independent schools

How to Apply for Kindergarten, Primary and Secondary State Schools in Malta

You can apply for admission into Maltese State Schools via this link .

The following documents must be submitted together with your application:

1. Child’s birth certificate (in case of non-Maltese students ONLY).
2. In case of separated/divorced parents, the official documentation relevant to the child’s custody (if applicable)
3. Death certificate, if one of the parents/legal guardians is deceased (in case of non-Maltese students ONLY).
4. If one of the parents/legal guardians refuses or is not able to sign the application form, for whatever reason, an application needs to be filed in the law courts of Malta so that the request for the registration of the child in the chosen school can be processed without the other party’s consent. The request for the registration of the child will only be processed when a copy of the official document, issued by the court, is presented with this form.
5. The parents’/legal guardian’s original Identity Card OR their original passports (translated officially into English, in case of non-Maltese parents).
6. In case of non-Maltese parents or parents who will be residing in the same locality as the school where they wish to register their children, a copy of the leasing agreement or promise of sale is required.
7. If a request is made by the parents/legal guardians to register their children in a school which is not in the locality in which they reside and the reason given is related to the fact that both parents work, and therefore cannot accompany and pick up their children to and from school, an official letter from Jobs+ and an attestation from the employers of the parents/legal guardians will be needed in order to certify that they both work as well as to indicate the hours of work being performed.
8. Letter of consent, written by a third party, who will be assuming the responsibility of accompanying and/or picking up the child to and from school instead of the parents/legal guardians (if applicable).
9. The original Identity Card of the person who is authorized to assume the responsibility of accompanying and/or picking up the child to and from school
10. Copy of report issued by Statementing Board (if applicable)
11. You may also be asked for other documents, such as school results or reports from previous schools.

Good to know!

• Students who do not reside within the College locality cannot be provided with school transport
• If you reside outside the College locality, but want to send your child there, the application should be sent to the Office of the College Principal
• If you reside in the same locality as the school, then you can send the application directly to the school’s administration.
• Once you fill in the application, both parents/legal guardians must make an appointment with the school so that the original documentation can be verified.

How to Apply for Church School in Malta

Click here for a list of Church Kindergarten Schools in Malta

Click here for a list of Church Primary Schools in Malta

Click here for a list of Church Secondary Schools in Malta

Click here for a list of Church Kindergarten Schools in Gozo

Click here for a list of Church Primary Schools in Gozo

Click here for a list of Church Secondary Schools in Gozo

Good to know!

• Regulations for Admission into Church Schools 2023-24, both in Malta and Gozo, will be published towards the end of November 2022. Click here for updates.
• Admission for Church Schools in Malta will be for Kinder 1 and 2, Year 1 Primary and Form 1/ Year 7 Secondary and for girls only Year 4 Primary. Admission for Church Schools in Gozo will be for Kinder 1 and Form 1 / Year 7 Secondary.

Private Schools and Colleges in Malta

Click on the school name for information on eligibility, how to apply, and fees.