Scheme Benefits

Launched in 2014, the Free Childcare Scheme aims to facilitate women's re-entry into the workforce during their children's early years. By offering childcare services while parents work or study, it ensures children receive early education.

The Free Childcare Scheme offers significant benefits for children whose parents are either employed or pursuing education. It encompasses:

• Parents in Work: This includes both parents or guardians engaged in employment, as well as single mothers, fathers, or guardians who are working and contributing to social security.

• Parents in Education: Both parents or guardians pursuing education leading to a recognised course, diploma, or degree are covered, including single parents in the process of education.

The scheme ensures that while parents work or study, their children have access to quality childcare services, thereby facilitating the parents' involvement in the workforce or education. 

If you are already benefitting from the Free Childcare Scheme, you may keep track of your child’s profile and attendance by visiting: https://freechildcare.gov.mt/applyonline and logging in using your e-ID credentials (username = your ID card number, password = your e-ID password and click on “Logon using e-ID”). We encourage all parents to monitor their children’s profile regularly. Should you need help or more information, kindly call on 153 ext 18 or email [email protected]

Eligibility Criteria

• Parents in Work: Refers to parents or guardians employed and paying social security contributions. This includes single parents who are working. 

• Parents in Education: Applies to parents or guardians pursuing education leading to a recognised qualification. They must provide a statement of course attendance from their educational institution. For courses outside of the University of Malta, MCAST, or ITS, a statement of course recognition from the “Malta Further and Higher Education Authority” (MFHEA) is required.

  TCNs granted a residence permit under the Students Directive are not eligible for the Free Childcare Scheme unless they are in possession of an Employment Licence.

• Single Parents: Applicants must provide evidence of their status, such as the child’s birth certificate or a legal document indicating full care and custody of the child. 

• Fostering Parents: Applicants need to present an official document from the Fostering Board, along with additional supporting documentation.

• Extension to Non-Employed Parents: The scheme may also extend to parents who are not in employment due to terminal illnesses. 

Scheme Documentation

Free Childcare Scheme Brochure

List of Childcare Centres Participating in the Free Childcare Scheme

List of Nationalities

Transfer Request Between Childcare Centre Form 

​Termination Form from the Free Childcare Scheme

Compendium of circulars issued by the Free Childcare Scheme Unit

Employer Declaration Template

Free Childcare Scheme - Terms and conditions for Parents and Guardians

Maltese Language Allowance For Childcare Employees Claim Forms - Version 1.3