Children are our most valuable natural resource. Moreover, research has amply demonstrated that the first few years of children’s lives are crucial in their development. This knowledge has inspired the Ministry for the Family and Social Solidarity to develop further this important building block of social policy. Throughout these past years, considerable effort has been invested in the early childhood development and care sector. The most important milestones achieved so far include the drafting of the proposed standards for child day care facilities and the ensuing consultation process, the setting up of the Department for Social Welfare Standards, the ESF project for childcare facilities at the work place managed by the Employment and Training Corporation, and the drawing up of separate planning guidelines for childcare facilities by the Malta Environment and Planning Authority. During the course of this work a good working relationship has been established with a good number of providers who have already embarked on improving their services in line with the proposed standards for child day care facilities. As announced during the 2006 Budget speech, Government will be granting financial assistance to existing facilities in order to help them achieve the proposed standards.

The main objective of the Ministry for the Family and Social Solidarity is to ensure that facilities offering child day care for children under three years deliver a good quality service. This work has also been inspired by the main thrust of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child – that of giving prime consideration to the best interests of the child.

The Ministry for the Family and Social Solidarity also believes that good quality childcare could also enhance social inclusion. Children hailing from disadvantaged backgrounds are known to benefit particularly from exposure to activities specifically provided to enhance their development. Early childhood development and care services provide children with the stimulation that they may not be receiving at home, presenting opportunities for them to develop at a similar rate as their peers. The role of good quality children’s services has been proven to actively reduce social inequality by improving the life chances of children.