The launch of the free childcare scheme five months ago has resulted in more mothers joining the workforce, comprising 25% of the 700 people who started working since April.

Lunching a new childcare centre in Gzira this morning, Finance Minister Edward Scicluna said that through such an initiative, families would be saving up to €10,000 over a period of three years.  Dr Scicluna added that women are able to pursue a career as much as their male counterparts ,however it is a well known fact that they face certain obstacles along the way, and this scheme has at least helped to remove the financial hindrance.

Education Minister Evarist Bartolo said 2,722 children attend child care centres free of charge. The project, he added, does not only allow for mothers to re-enter the workforce, but also provides for educational development, core during the first 1,000 days of a child’s life. The number of child care centres in Malta add up to 72 – 13 are run by the state, 5 by private entities and 45 by public private partnership.