Childcare, kindergarten, Klabb 3-16: what's the difference?

Maltese early years has several stages with names that get used interchangeably. Here's which is which, and which one you need.

Parents new to the Maltese system — and plenty who aren't — get these confused, partly because the words are used loosely in conversation.

Childcare (0–3)

Childcare centres take children from around three months old. They're licensed by the Directorate for Quality and Standards in Education and work to the national standards for 0–3. This is what the Free Childcare Scheme pays for, and it's what this directory lists.

A rule change worth knowing. Since June 2025, a child who turns three can choose to stay on at their childcare centre until the first October intake after their third birthday, rather than having to leave straight away. That closes a gap that used to leave parents scrambling for a few months. Note that the free funding still stops once your child is eligible for Kinder 1 — staying on beyond that is at the centre's own rate.

Kindergarten — Kinder 1 and Kinder 2 (roughly 3–5)

Kindergarten is part of school, not childcare. It runs inside state, church and independent schools, and takes children for the two years before Year 1. State intakes are on 1 October and 1 February, with eligibility keyed to your child's birthday.

Your free childcare stops once your child can start Kinder 1 — the two don't overlap. Kindergarten hours are school hours, which is shorter than a working day, and that surprises a lot of parents.

Klabb 3-16 (after school)

Run by the Foundation for Educational Services, Klabb 3-16 covers children aged 3 to 16 after the school day ends, in schools across many localities. It's what bridges the gap between school finishing and work finishing.

Skolasajf (summer school)

Also run by FES, Skolasajf is the summer programme for children aged 3 to 16 during the long school holiday. It's usually searched for in Maltese as skola sajf, and applications open well before the summer.

So which do I need?

• Under three? A childcare centre — that's what this site is for.
• Turning three soon? Kindergarten, through a school, keyed to the October or February intake.
• At school, but you work past 3pm? Klabb 3-16.
• Summer holidays? Skolasajf.

We currently list childcare centres (0–3) only. Kindergarten places are arranged through schools, and Klabb 3-16 and Skolasajf through FES.

Last updated 23 Aug 2026. childcare.mt is independent and not affiliated with any government body.