‘It’s not a one-size-fits-all method’ – Donha Muscat, St Paul’s Institute and Childcare CEO

In Malta’s evolving childcare sector, St Paul’s Institute and Childcare has gained a loyal following for its innovative approach to early years education and flexible childcare solutions. Under the leadership of CEO Donha Muscat, the centre has evolved from addressing a personal need into becoming a cornerstone of modern childcare services in Malta, with expansion plans already underway.

Donha Muscat’s journey into childcare began with a challenge familiar to many working parents. Recalling her difficulty in finding suitable childcare, she laments, “after I gave birth to my daughter in 2017, I couldn’t find childcare and was really struggling to go back to work.”

This personal experience set the wheels in motion, leading her to identify a gap in the market and inspiring her to create a solution. “I decided I needed to do something and wanted to open a childcare centre myself,” she recalls. With a strong background in the childcare sector and a higher diploma in management already under her belt, she felt confident in her ability to manage and direct early childhood education services. She is currently in the final year of a Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA), further enhancing her expertise in managing and advancing early childhood education services.

In 2020, she found a suitable property in Pietà, and by 2021, St Paul’s Childcare was operational. The centre’s success was both immediate and enduring – it is currently fully booked well into 2025, with a substantial waiting list.

Delving into Donha’s mindset and approach, it is clear that what sets St Paul’s apart is its keen attention to market needs and flexible approach to childcare. The centre offers extended hours and drop-in services, addressing the real needs of today’s working parents. “We’re open till late, not only on Saturdays but all week, excluding public holidays and Sundays,” Donha explains.

This flexibility has proven so successful that it’s led Donha to launch 24-hour services, particularly catering to healthcare and other shift workers. “There is a big demand,” Donha reveals, adding that the Government has also shown interest in utilising their 24/7 services. Addressing a common misconception around 24-hour care, she posits, “each parent is entitled to a set number of hours – if you use them in the morning because you work mornings, you cannot use additional hours at night. Parents use the hours according to their work shifts.”

But St Paul’s success isn’t just about convenient hours, the CEO insists – it’s built on a foundation of quality care and structured programming. The centre maintains strict adherence to regulatory ratios, often exceeding requirements to ensure optimal care. “If the Quality Standards in Education say three babies with one carer, that is exactly what I am doing,” Donha emphasises, refusing to cut corners or jeopardise the safety of those in her care.

Her dedication is also immediately apparent as she highlights the most rewarding aspects of her role: “I love seeing the staff’s dedication and happiness – for example, when they want to return early after being away because they miss the children. The children’s attachment to the centre is also rewarding – when they come back in for a small hug or want to play with us, even after being picked up.”

The centre’s physical layout is carefully designed, Donha continues, with separate rooms for different age groups rather than an open-plan set-up. This approach helps control the spread of illness and creates calmer, more focused environments for children at different developmental stages.

Throughout her experience, Donha identifies staffing – particularly maintaining a diverse, qualified workforce – as one of the major challenges facing the sector. “We try to adapt the staff accordingly… I have a total mix,” she explains, noting that while this diversity brings its own challenges in terms of communication and cultural differences, the CEO sees it as an opportunity to create a richer environment for the children. “Some cultures have different approaches to punctuality or different work styles. However, as long as they are kind and patient with the children, I focus on that more than on their qualifications,” Donha states.

Moreover, to address the qualification gap in the industry, she has recently established St Paul’s Institute, offering childcare training courses. The institute, she explains, provides flexible on-demand learning options and practical placement opportunities, including placements directly at St Paul’s Childcare, making education more accessible for aspiring childcare professionals.

The CEO’s leadership style emphasises adaptability and understanding, which filters through every facet of St Paul’s Institute and Childcare. “You learn by doing. I begin by understanding each individual’s character, and then lead accordingly. It’s not a one-size-fits-all method,” she explains. This strategy extends to both staff management and parent relations, creating an environment where everyone feels valued and supported.

Looking back, Donha reflects on how the COVID-19 pandemic has transformed parents’ views of childcare services. “Before, when parents worked from home, they usually kept the children with them, but now there has been a shift,” she observes, noting how parents increasingly recognise the value of professional childcare not only for convenience but also for their children’s cognitive development. The pandemic also led to enhanced health and safety protocols, which she embraces as positive progress for the industry.

Setting her sights on the future, Donha reveals that St Paul’s is poised for significant expansion in 2025, with plans to open a second location in Paola. The new centre will replicate the effective layout and model of the Pietà location, with an expected capacity of 40–50 children, she explains, adding that it will also maintain the same commitment to separated spaces and high-quality care that made the original location so successful.

And as St Paul’s Institute and Childcare continues to grow, the CEO remains focused on upholding the high standards that have defined its success story – a story that demonstrates how understanding and responding to community needs, combined with a commitment to quality and innovation, can create a thriving business that truly serves its community.   

This article is part of the serialisation of 50 interviews featured in Malta CEOs 2025 – the sister brand to MaltaCEOs.mt and an annual high-end publication bringing together some of the country’s most influential business leaders