Last week, a child carer anonymously took to Facebook to open up about alleged maltreatment she claims to have witnessed whilst on the job.

Writing in the Facebook Group 'Ommijiet Nghinu Lil Xulxin,' or 'Mothers helping each other,' she mentions the maltreatment of children, both from the side of some parents and of the child care centres, saying she has experienced this in a few childcare centers around the island.

After reading the post, The Malta Independent contacted sources working in the field, who wished to remain annonymous, and confirmed that what was written in the post are things which really occur, however cannot be generalised to all child centres, carers and parents.

The anonymous writer of the post said that she did so as it is in parents interest to know what happens, going on to explain that, so far, she has been to about five private childcare centers whilst completing placements.

She wrote that whilst on the placements, she noted that many children spend long hours at the centre, from as long as seven in the morning till five in the afternoon, "being nurtured far away from the bond of family blood". She also noted how some parents order that their children are allowed to sleep before they are picked up from the centre. "My heart breaks seeing children exhausted, falling asleep whilst trying to steady themselves against a wall," she wrote.

She wrote that at times parents are so rushed that they "don't even have the chance to change a nappy" before taking their children to the centres.

"And what can we say about the children's' personal hygiene and belongings?" she said. "We notice everything, children wearing the same clothes for four whole days or more. Bags are sometimes not be checked to see if there are any soiled clothes. We often find mouldy clothes, and notes where we write something about their children remain unread."

She goes on to mention flaws that she has noticed from the side of the care centers. "Now it is the norm that every centre puts up photos on Facebook of the children and what activities the children did, for advertising and the satisfaction of parents," she said. "Sorry, but behind the scenes none of you know exactly what is happening."

She noted that policies say that there must be six children for each child carer, however it will sometimes be two carers with 17 to 20 children in a room, or one carer with about ten babies in the morning.

"Owners always want to see how they are going to save money," she said.  She said that if the children have a condition like hyperactivity, lack of social skills or behavioral problems the children are maltreated by "being tied up the whole time in a pushchair, playpen or highchair.. with the consequence that the condition worsens with the fear that the child will hurt others."

Other things she mentioned were that art activities are done by the carers not by the children, or that wipes provided by parents will end up being used on other children "because the centre does not provide anything."

She also alleged that the children are sometimes handled aggressively. "I have seen children being handled aggressively, placed violently on a chair or tossed into the playpen".

"I am writing all this to increase awareness," she said, "parents pay attention where you send your children." She suggested that "at random" parents should go and visit their child to see how they are being treated, and take note of the ratio etc.  "There needs to be transparency!" she said.

This newspaper has sent questions to the Minister for Education and Employment Evarist Bartolo to find out more regarding the situation. No replies were received at the time of writing.