Government expecting 30% increase in childcare demand

After announcing a €3.8 million investment in free childcare centres, the government is expecting a 30% increase over current demand, education minister Evarist Bartolo said.

The minister explained that the government is predicting that around half of the new applicants will be parents who have either re-joined the workforce or who extended their working hours.

"Providing free childcare will not only encourage parents to work but it will also provide children a positive educational experience," Bartolo said, highlighting the programme's economic and social benefits.

Bartolo added that government would be paying €3 an hour per child to privately owned centres catering for children aged up to three years and interested in being part of a public private partnership.

Parents currently pay an average €2.25 for childcare, meaning the government would be paying the centres a higher rate.

The government's scheme will cover the hours the parent are at work as well as an extra hour a day for commuting. Both parents must be in full- or part-time employment to benefit from the scheme.

Asked whether the government has capped the programme, Bartolo said that the government would accept each and every application. Moreover, the minister noted that before looking at the creation of new state or private centres, the government would first look at the existing centres, some of which are run at half of their capacity.

In this week's 2014 Budget, the government allocated almost €4 million to provide free childcare for families that have both parents working, or in the case of single persons that are employed. This initiative is not compulsory and parents may choose where to send their children.

Prime Minister Joseph Muscat yesterday explained that apart from the educational aspect, the concept of free childcare will boost competitiveness, lead to the creation of jobs and contribute to economic growth.

Furthermore, the government is committed to introduce training and courses that would provide qualified carers, saying previous experience of parenting your child does not automatically make you a professional carer.