Issue 16– January 2020 www.fes.gov.mt fes@gov.mt

FoundationforEducationalServices Triq l-Imtarfa, Mtarfa.

Tel 22586812

The Foundation for Educational Services

has launched a new logo, which bears at its

centre the image of two children holding

hands. This image is in fact representative

of the services offered by FES, as children

are at the centre of all its services.

This core focus allows FES to continue

striving for a person-centred approach that recognises individual needs, and to

increase its involvement in facilitating an educational pathway.

The colour scheme projects the energy the foundation has towards achieving its goals

and also prioritising its inclusion policy. The circle is a universal symbol with

extensive meaning. It represents the notions of totality and wholeness and this is in

line with the foundation’s vision:

“Together we contribute to the educational development of the learner

whilst supporting an evolving society’’.

The Foundation for Educational Services (FES)

currently operates 13 childcare centres across Malta.

Childcare centres provide care to children who are

aged between three months and three years.

These centres are guided by the National Child Day

Care Standards. These standards ensure the best

service for the children, the parents, and the general

community. The adherence to such standards is

essential to stimulate and enhance the children's

emotional, social and educational development.

Registering for any of the FES Childcare Centres is as easy as 1-2-3.

1. Choose your preferred centre

2. Pay an orientation visit to the centre

3. Fill in the application form.

A FES Childcare Centre is a guarantee of:

Quality care ~ High standards ~ Safe environment

Il-Kuluri Childcare Centre, Birgu, Tel: 23985119

Il-Ferrovija Childcare Centre, B’Kara, Tel: 2598 5561 / 2

Ix-Xemx Childcare Centre, Qawra, Tel: 21577639

Il-Merill Childcare Centre, Pembroke, Tel: 2137 6644

Id-Denfil Childcare Centre, Siġġiewi, Tel: 21432348

Il-Bebbuxu Childcare Centre, Sta. Venera, Tel: 2144 3855

Il-Bejta Childcare Centre, Cospicua, Tel: 21807090

It-Tgħanniqa Childcare Centre, Floriana, Tel: 2598 2611 / 13

It-Tbissima Childcare Centre, Qormi, Tel: 2598 7620

Il-Pespus Childcare Centre, Marsa, Tel: 21 231 038

Pizzi Pizzi Kanna Childcare Centre, Naxxar, Tel: 2598 6820

Is-Sardinella Childcare Centre, San Gwann, Tel: 2137 2851

Żmeraldi Childcare Centre, Haz-Żebbuġ, Tel: 2598 7681 / 2

Click on the link of your preferred centre to get more information about the service.

Spend a day at some of our centres:

There is never a dull moment at the FES Childcare Centres. Playtime as a form of

learning, guides the numerous activities that keep the children well engaged and on

their toes. There is no better environment to stimulate the children’s curiosity and

their love to discover new talents and competences. Follow the images and captions

below to get a taste of the wonders that lie behind the doors of the FES Childcare

Centres.

The Wonder of Stories! Children at It-Tghanniqa Childcare Centre at Floriana,

managed by the Centre Coordinator Ms Kirsty Camilleri, have just enjoyed a series

of activities based on popular fairy tales. Apart from the story telling sessions, the

children engaged in activities such as collage, painting, sensory activities, and

matching cards.

The stories covered were The Very Hungry Caterpillar and The Scarecrow that didn’t

Scare. Activities related to The Very Hungry Caterpillar included balloon painting to

make a caterpillar, posting pictures of fruit in a caterpillar tub, and playing with

caterpillars made out of pipe cleaners.

Activities related to The Scarecrow that didn’t Scare included a sensory tuff tray filled

with leaves, pictures related to the story, and use of the soft toys of the story sack

(birds, mice and rabbits) which live in the habitat of the aforementioned story.

Let’s have an Orange Day! The Zmeraldi Childcare Centre at Haz Zebbug,

managed by the Centre Coordinator Ms Kristina Spiteri, organised an Orange Day.

Each child, apart from donning an orange piece of clothing, also brought an orange

item from home. The activities on the day kicked off with a discussion about the

objects found in the Orange Basket, while each child described their personal orange

item. A sensory tray with ornage fruit and vegetables enhanced the experience

further as the children tasted the produce items and engaged in pretend

play…..cooking a meal.

Moving On! Meanwhile at the Id-Denfil Childcare Centre at Siggiewi, managed by

Ms Amy Gerardi, a number of children who have reached the stage of transition to

Kindergarten, have celebrated their stay at Id-Denfil with a Moving On Celebration.

The same event was also held at Il-Pespus Childcare Centre at Marsa, managed

by the Centre Coordinator Ms Rosann Grech, who is pictured here with members of

the centre’s staff and the parents of the children involved.

Joined by their parents and other significant relatives, the children in both centres

bid a tearful farewell to the carers who have nurtured them for so many wonderful

months. We wish these young pupils all the luck as they take their first steps in their

new educational adventure.

In the meantime, children at Il-Bejta Childcare Centre, managed by the Centre

Coordinator Ms Cher Muscat, were treated to another experience beyond their

Moving On Celebration. These children were hosted by the Kindergarten classes at

the Bormla Primary School, where they got acquainted with the surroundings and

spent some time using the resources available in the classrooms. This experience

helped the children to feel more relaxed as they moved to a new environment while

still in the company of their trusted carers, thus helping the children to make a

smoother and less stressful transition.

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The thematic Klabb 3-16 programme for the month of January 2020 highlighted the

importance of three of the natural elements – Water, Earth, and Air.

It contained a variety of games, literacy, craft, and science activities related to the

main theme, aimed at making children aware of how and why we rely on these

elements in our lives.

The images shown here are of activities carried out by children at the Klabb 3-16

of St Paul’s Bay, managed by the Centre Coordinator Ms Julie Galea. The staff

members implemented the thematic activities with children from the Early Years and

Primary sectors, tailoring the activities to the age bracket of the children in their

care. This helped the children understand the properties of these natural elements,

and the importance that they play in our daily lives.

…….the Institute for Physical Education and Sport.

The Klabb 3-16 service is currently offering University of Malta students from the

Institute for Physical Education and Sport, the opportunity to practice their theoretical

knowledge in the form of placements with potential pupils. Students from IPES are

delivering weekly sessions of games and of general physical education in various

Klabb 3-16 Centres.

This collaboration is proving to be very valuable for our service users as they are

experiencing a more structured programme of physical activity. It is also proving to

be a positive experience for the IPES students as they are

developing hands-on skills which will come very useful when they embark

on their professional journey after graduating from their academic stud-

ies.

The month of January saw the donation of the very generous collection of food items

to the Foodbank Lifeline Foundation. Pictured above is Mr David Chircop, the Head

of Programmes, handing over the goods to the representative from the Food Bank.

Collected by staff, service users, and parents from the Childcare Cen-

tres and from the Klabb 3-16 centres, and by the FES Head Office

staff, the

substantial donation was an essential addition to the reserves of the

Foodbank to help people in need.

Name: Bernard Grixti

Role: Centre Coordinator - Started working with FES

on the 14th February 2011 (nearly nine years ago)

How has this role of a centre coordinator helped

you both professionally and personally?

I believe that such a role brings with it a degree of

responsibility and several challenges, which require a

lot of dedication, discipline and hard work.

However, it also provides the opportunity to embark

on a journey of self-growth, both on an inter-personal

and intra-personal level. Professionally this role has

helped me to reinforce my abilities related to areas

such as teamwork, self-reflection and administrative work.

How would you describe the benefits that an after-school service such as

Klabb 3-16 has to offer for the development of a child?

Klabb 3-16 provides a non formal learning and fun environment where students can

engage with one another in a myriad of activities within a safe environment. This

helps in the development and character formation of the students that attend the

after-school programme. Depending on the age, the students can acquire and/or

reinforce skills related to social interactions, creativity, critical thinking, physical

well-being, cooperation and collaboration and many more competences.

Name: Thelma Gatt

Role: I currently hold the position of a

Childcare Centre Coordinator since August

2017. I am currently a Centre Coordinator at

Il-Bebbuxu Childcare Centre at Santa Venera.

The challenges of managing a centre.

I have the responsibility to make sure that the

service is running as smoothly as possible. This

is only possible, when we work together as a

team. I am fortunate to have a great team of

colleagues who give their outmost to ensure

that the children are given all the possible

opportunities to develop holistically. Moreover, I can also say that the support

provided from FES plays an important role in my continued motivation in my work.

Most memorable moment at your workplace?

There are always funny/memorable moments when working in childcare. Every day

brings a new moment, which makes this job even more memorable. Seeing the

smiles of the children as they walk through the doors every morning is the best way

to start the day. This enthusiasm and happiness shows me that all the hard work

that my team and I have put in is all worthwhile. The children’s continuous growth in

their social, emotional and physical aspects is what keeps me going and builds my

passion and commitment in the profession.

Carnival Holidays applications (2nd Call)

Open from 13th February 2020 till 16th February 2020

•

Klabb 3-16 will be offering the services during the Carnival holidays. The dates are

Monday 24th February, Tuesday 25th February and Wednesday 26th February,

from 7:00am to 5:30pm (subject to demand).

Applications for the Carnival Holidays are open till 16th February

2020.

Parents can either apply online, at any Servizz.gov hubs, or at the

Klabb 3-16 Centre of their choice.

The physical environment is a very important asset in any organisation, and even so

in a childcare setting, where it is even listed as one of the national standards to be

upheld. It is also one of the main components in a Childcare Centre that lends itself

as a teaching tool. Bright , clean and airy surroundings are a constant in FES child-

care centres, which are maintained to the highest possible standards.

The interior area at It-Tbissima

Childcare Centre at Qormi was given a

new look with new LED panels, making it

much more energy efficient and

providing more effective lighting.

Moreover, the outdoor area

at Il-Pespus Childcare

Centre at Marsa had an

upgrade with the pillars

being padded to make them

safer for the children.

Courses:

Child Support Workers Course - (Deadline: 6th March 2020)

Playworkers Development Course—(Deadline: 6th March 2020)

Calls:

Centre Coordinator (part-time) - Klabb 3-16

(Deadline - 17th February 2020 at noon)

Tutors (part-time) - Klabb 3-16

(Deadline - 17th February 2020 at noon)

Child Support Worker - Klabb 3-16

(Deadline - 17th February 2020 at noon)

Playworker - Klabb 3-16

(Deadline - 17th February 2020 at noon)

A number of internal calls for Skolasajf 2020 are also available

HERE.