Childcare Workers Who Speak Maltese To Receive €520 Annual Allowance

A new incentive to encourage the use of the Maltese language in early childhood education is at the heart of the largest ever agreement for free childcare.

As part of this four year agreement, childcare workers who speak Maltese will receive an annual allowance of €520 in addition to their salary.

This incentive applies to both Maltese nationals and foreign workers who use Maltese in their daily work, recognising the importance of language exposure at an early age.

Prime Minister Robert Abela said the measure reflects the educational value of childcare services, noting that early interaction in Maltese provides a strong foundation for children’s development.

He stressed that free childcare is not a cost but an investment in families and society, adding that a strong economy allows the Government to translate growth into concrete measures that improve quality of life.

Minister for Home Affairs, Security and Employment Byron Camilleri said encouraging Maltese speaking childcare workers was a key priority during negotiations.

He explained that the aim is not only to retain those already in the sector but also to attract more workers who choose to build a career in childcare while contributing to the preservation of the national language.

Beyond the language incentive, the agreement represents a total investment of €276.7 million over four years, making it the largest free childcare agreement to date.

Families benefit from 210 hours of free childcare per month per child, averaging 50 hours per week. A Central Bank study shows that the scheme has enabled 6,200 women to enter the workforce, generating almost €180 million in additional wage income for families.

The agreement also complements other Budget measures, including tax cuts, increased Children’s Allowance and strengthened in work benefits

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