The Nursery School

The Nursery School in Mellieħa looks after babies and toddlers from 3 months up to 36 months, in the north of Malta close to the Gozo ferry and the island's best-known beaches. It is the Mellieħa branch of a childcare group with five centres, and families can use it either through the government's Free Childcare Scheme or as a private service.

The group has more than ten years of experience and is licensed by the Ministry of Education. Its stated aim is a safe, nurturing setting where small children learn through play, looked after by qualified staff. The centre is listed on VisitMalta.co.uk among the nurseries in Malta.

Free Childcare Scheme and private places

The Free Childcare Scheme is a Maltese government programme that lets eligible families use registered childcare at no cost, helping parents stay in work or study. The Nursery School accepts children aged 3 months to 3 years under the scheme, and the group invites parents to ask whether they qualify.

The application form is published on the group's website. It asks for details of the child and both parents, and for proof of employment or education from the eligible parent. Foreigners working in Malta must be registered with Jobsplus, the national employment agency, and a parent working abroad can provide an employer's declaration. A transfer form is also available if a family wants to move from one centre to another.

Parents who prefer private childcare, or who are not eligible for the scheme, can pay for the same age range privately. The group describes its rates as affordable and asks families to contact it for the current rates and packages, so no prices are shown here.

The wider Nursery School group

Mellieħa is one of five centres. The others are in Mosta, Swieqi and Gżira, and the Mosta site also has a separate baby care centre for babies aged 3 to 11 months. Siblings or families who move around the island may find the group's other locations handy, and the transfer form makes switching between centres straightforward on paper.

The enrolment form on the group's website asks for the child's date of birth, the days of the week needed and the preferred start and finish times, so parents can describe the hours they need before a place is confirmed. Opening hours themselves are not published, so ask about them when you enquire.

Questions to ask before enrolling

Parents new to Maltese childcare usually want to know a few things before committing. Ask which days and hours are available at the Mellieħa centre, whether a place under the scheme is free for the days you need, and how settling-in works for a baby who has never been in a group. It also helps to ask how the staff keep parents updated through the day and what you should bring for each session.

Because the centre cares for children from 3 months, the daily routine for babies and for toddlers will differ, so ask how the groups are organised. Families who are only in Malta for part of the year should also ask about notice periods and whether a place can be held, since the application and termination forms are published by the group.

Living in or visiting Mellieħa with young children

UK families who move to the north of Malta often choose Mellieħa for its beaches and slower pace, and our Mellieħa guide covers the town. Weekend outings nearby include Golden Bay, the film-set attraction at Popeye Village and boat trips to the Blue Lagoon on Comino. For more choices, see the guide to the best beaches in Malta.

If you are planning a move, our Malta relocation guide explains the practical steps, and the guides to flights to Malta from the UK, where to stay in Malta and the Malta weather guide help with the first weeks. To ask about a place, use the VisitMalta.co.uk enquiry form on this page and we will pass your message to the nursery.