St Cecilia's Tarxien

Tarxien is a town in the south-east of Malta, best known for the prehistoric temples that stand at its heart. St Cecilia's Childcare and Kindergarten works from Napuljun Caruana Dingli Street in the town, combining a childcare centre with an independent kindergarten school, so a child can stay in one place from the earliest years until the move to primary school.

The centre is listed among the other nurseries in Malta on VisitMalta.co.uk, and it is useful for families living around Tarxien, Paola and the Three Cities.

History and management

St Cecilia's first opened in Tarxien several years ago as a sister school to St Cecilia's in Attard. In October 2017 the Tarxien school changed management and now operates under the direction of Ms Tamara Baldacchino Briffa. The building was extensively renovated at that point, while the aim of giving children the care and attention expected of the St Cecilia's name continues.

The school's purpose is to give children educational and social skills for life. Its policies, procedures and educational programme are set out on its own pages, and parents can ask for the forms they need when they enquire.

Childcare, kindergarten and childminding

There are three strands. Childcare is part of the Government's Free Childcare Scheme, which provides free places to eligible families. The kindergarten is the start of a child's school journey, with an educational programme for children as they approach primary school. Childminding is a weekday service for the afternoons.

Younger children are catered for from infancy, and the kindergarten and childcare together cover children up to the age of five. Because published ages differ slightly between pages of the school's website, ask for the age of the youngest child accepted when you enquire.

For British parents used to nursery and reception classes, an independent kindergarten in Malta sits alongside the state system. Our relocation guide for UK families explains how daily life works for new arrivals, and our Malta tax guide for UK nationals is a helpful companion. Business owners and professionals might also contact CLA Malta for company and relocation support.

School hours and extra time

The basic school day is 8:00 to 13:00. Extra hours are offered for families who need them, from 6:30 to 8:00 in the morning and from 13:00 to 17:30 in the afternoon. The weekday childminding service runs from 14:00 to 17:30. Together these give working parents cover from early morning until the end of the working day.

Meetings at the school are by appointment only, because the building is a functioning school with children present. Arrange a time before visiting. When you do, it is worth asking how many adults look after each group, what a typical day looks like, how the Free Childcare Scheme places are arranged, and how the school helps children prepare for their move to primary school. Taking a note of the answers makes it easier to compare Tarxien with other settings in our directory.

Around Tarxien

The Ħal-Tarxien Prehistoric Complex is under 200 m away, and the Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum is around 640 m away. Our Hypogeum guide and Knights of Malta history put them into context, and the Three Cities guide covers the historic harbour towns close by. The capital is a short drive away, and our Valletta guide shows what to see there once the school run is done, whether you are visiting for the first time or settling in for the long term. Families who want a day out at the weekend can browse our things to do in Malta for ideas suited to young children. Immigration support is also close, with ACC Malta Immigration Advisors around 3.3 km away.

To ask about a place, use the VisitMalta.co.uk enquiry form on this page and we will pass your message to the school, who will reply to you directly.