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Early Childhood Education and Care - National Policy Framework for Malta and Gozo

​CLOSED CONSULTATION  

  
 
From: Ministry for Education
(
Directorate for Quality and Standards in Education)​
​Published: ​21 May 2021
Running till: ​2 July 2021
​Last Updated: ​5 July 2021
1.        Background

The development of society, economy and the environment, directly influence child development and consequently the wellbeing of tomorrow’s adults. The early years are the starting point for successful lifelong learning and are integral in addressing sustainable development goals. Investing in young children, safeguarding and realising their rights in practical ways and ensuring optimal foundations for their well-being, learning and holistic development fuels the need for a National Policy Framework for Early Childhood Education and Care.
It is evident that the potential advantages of high quality ECEC are significant, far-reaching and long-lasting. The development and publication of this early years’ policy framework is a first step towards a comprehensive high-quality ECEC provision in a Maltese context. The aim is to address the fundamental need for a multi-sectoral response embedded within an integrated ECEC system. Additionally, this policy framework is being regarded as an opportunity to maximise young children’s development which will profoundly impact on children’s future learning, health and earning potential which can perpetuate intergenerational benefits. It will also contribute in addressing the G20 Action Plan on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (2016).

Following on the European Commission’s Council Recommendation on High-Quality Early Childhood Education and Care Systems, which was adopted by the EU Member States’ Education Ministers in 2019, this National Policy Framework addresses five goals:

Each goal has been purposefully designed bearing in mind three overarching principles, which are considered equally important and for successful implementation:

 


2.        Consultation Questions
 

Q1. Do you think that the most important goals for early childhood education and care are in the overarching 5 goals of the National Policy Framework?

Goal 1: Accessibility

Q2: Do you agree that education for children in the early years should be available and affordable?

Q3: What do you think one should consider if we put these accessibility goals into action?

Goal 2: Workforce

Q4: Do you agree with the goals for the early years’ workforce?

Q5: What do you think one should consider if we put these workforce goals into action?

Goal 3: Curriculum

Q6: Do you agree that the learning experiences of young children should be well-balanced, revolved around the children’s interests and caters for the children’s preferred way of learning?

Q7: What do you think one should consider if we put these learning experiences goals into action?

Goal 4: Monitoring and Evaluation

Q8: Do you agree that we need to know if young children are being well looked after, learning well and happy?

Q9: What do you think one should consider if we put the monitoring and evaluation goals into action?

Goal 5: Governance and Funding

Q10: Do you agree that Ministries, researchers and other stakeholders should join forces to sustain this early childhood education and care policy framework?

Q11: What do you think one should consider if we bring different stakeholders together to support the implementation of this National Policy Framework?

3.        Documents
 
4.        Submission of input
 

The Ministry for Education would like to invite public entities, private sector, constituted bodies, civil society and individuals to assist the development of the National Policy Framework for Early Childhood Education and Care (0-7 years) by providing feedback in the form of answers to the above questions. Additional suggestions may also be put forward.

Feedback was received through:​

You can find the questions by clicking on: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc00GyBOh​mxfbTA4n3Yw6V8WyW7UxpIOCWuKC4YcrQAZZ2IAw/viewform

E-mail:     ececpolicy.mfed@gov.mt

​Post:        ECEC Policy 
                Directorate for Quality and Standards in Education
                Triq Joseph Abela Scolaro
                Hamrun
                HMR1304​   
   
Submissions were received by 2 July 2021.                    
We thank you for your input.
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The General Data Protection Regulation and the Data Protection Act Chapter 586 regulate the processing of personal data whether held electronically or in manual form. The Ministry for European Affairs and Equality collects only information which is necessary for it to perform its intended functions and is set to fully comply with the Data Protection Principles as set out in the Data Protection Legislation.  Verification of the ID number provided will take place as deemed necessary. All personal data provided will be processed according to the General Data Protection Regulation and the Data Protection Act (Cap 586).

 

In addition, please be aware of:
 
·         Disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act (Chapter 496)
As we are a public authority all documents we hold, including documents related to this public consultation process, may be released following a request to us under the Freedom of Information Act (Chap. 496), unless such request may be subject of an exemption arising from the same Act.

​​www.konsultazzjoni.gov.mt

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