Teddies Childcare Centre

Żurrieq is a village in the south of Malta, a short way from the Blue Grotto and the prehistoric temples at Ħaġar Qim. It is also home to Teddies Childcare Centre, which has looked after young children since 2008. The centre is licensed by the education department and part of the Free Childcare Scheme, so it is a realistic choice for families who live in the southern villages and want childcare close to home rather than a long drive to the harbour towns.

Teddies is listed with other options in our directory of nurseries in Malta.

Approach to early learning

Teddies follows a holistic view of early childhood. Children are given a variety of environments and experiences so they can build a sense of themselves and the world around them, and the aim is that they leave ready for the next stage of their lives. The centre follows the Learning Outcomes Framework for Early Years, which builds learning around children's own interests, and the mission is to spark curiosity and a love of learning through cooperative play in a warm and nurturing setting.

Positive behaviour is encouraged through praise, encouragement and attentive care, and every child is treated as an individual regardless of gender, race or culture. For parents from the UK, the idea of following children's interests will sound familiar from the early years foundation stage at home, although the framework here is the Maltese one.

Ages, groups and the Free Childcare Scheme

The centre cares for children from three months up to school age. Children are not mixed across all ages. They are placed in groups according to age and ability, and the centre's programmes page sets out how each group works. A child remains eligible for childcare until they reach school age, so a child who turns three a few months before starting school in October can still attend.

Places are available under the Government's Free Childcare Scheme, which provides free childcare to families who are eligible. Ask the centre to confirm whether you qualify. Anyone arriving from the UK should also read our relocation guide for UK families, and our Malta tax guide for UK nationals explains how tax works for new residents. Business owners may wish to speak to CLA Malta, our featured partner for company, tax and relocation services.

Potty training is handled in partnership with parents, so families do not have to manage that phase alone.

Working with parents

Parents are treated as a child's first and most important educators. A member of staff is available every day to talk about your child's progress and development, and parents are encouraged to get involved in learning as much as they can. Good communication with guardians is considered essential to the best possible care.

The centre also runs evening activities, which have their own page on its website, and a gallery of photographs gives a feel for daily life. Registration is done through the website's register page.

Hours and the local area

The centre opens at 6am on weekdays and closes at 5pm. A Saturday session is also listed, though the printed times look like a typing error, so ask for the correct Saturday hours. Early opening helps parents who commute to the capital, and our Valletta guide describes the city that many southern families travel to for work.

Żurrieq is close to some of Malta's best-known sights. The Blue Grotto sea caves are nearby, as are the Ħaġar Qim temples and the Ħaġar Qim Archaeological Site about 2.7 km away. For family days out, our guide to the best beaches in Malta and things to do in Malta are good places to start.

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