There are both private and public childcare options in Malta. Childcare in Malta is inexpensive compared to the rest for Europe.
Public: Child Care Centers are for children ages 3 months to 3 years. Public childcare is offered to all Maltese children and families, but priority is given based on a needs assessment. Financial contribution by parents or guardians is based on means testing.
Private: Most expats enroll their children in private childcare centers, due to higher rates of availability.
You may meet with other expat parents once landed in Malta to inquire about local child care facilities. Cafes, parks, and playgrounds (especially in Sliema and St. Julian's) are great places to meet fellow parents. You can also consult EasyExpat's Malta forums.
A full listing of Child Care Centers in Malta can be found on the Ministry of Education's web site.
There are many playgroups in Malta, especially in the Sliema and St. Julian's areas (popular areas to live amongst expats). A local listing of playgroups in Malta can be found on the popular KidsMalta web site.
The average cost of childcare in Malta is €250 per month (1 child). Sometimes discounts are given for multiple children (up to 5%-10%).
The Government of Malta provides a tax deduction to parents whose children attend Child Day Care Facilities in Malta (registered with the Department of Social Welfare Services [DSWS]). A list of qualifying facilities can be found on the DSWS' website.
Babysitters are generally employed on a temporary or short-term basis. Often a friend of the family or relative is employed for an evening to watch over the child at the parents' residence.
Most families in Malta find a babysitter by word-of-mouth, letting friends, co-workers, and family know that they are looking. Parents may also try posting on bulletin boards at community centers, cafes, or expat hangouts. Networking with fellow parents at parks and playgrounds may also be helpful to find a reliable babysitter in your area.
It is not uncommon to interview potential babysitters in Malta, and allow them to interview you. Questions you may consider asking include:
A great online resource is to post on expat forums, such as Easy Expat's Malta forum.
For consistent babysitting, you may look at an au pair. Consult the section on "Au Pair" under "Find a Job".
Babysitter prices in Malta are typically €5-€8/hour.