‘Life’s obstacles are just stepping stones to greater opportunities’ – MC Innovative Ltd Founder & Managing Director

Established in 2014, Magic Castle Waldorf is Malta’s first and only childcare organisation to offer a curriculum shaped around the holistic educational style of Steiner Waldorf. Led by Founder and Managing Director Charmaine Mangion, Magic Castle Waldorf today forms part of MC Innovative Ltd, which also includes related services such as parental talks and the nutritional food concept ChefKody, to ensure every child can thrive, learn and grow on their own terms.

Like many successful startups, Magic Castle Waldorf Childcare was born out of a need. During the final year of her teaching degree, Charmaine Mangion – today the company’s CEO and Managing Director – discovered she was pregnant. To complete her studies and graduate, she sought suitable childcare for her young daughter.

“I began searching for a childcare centre to be able to finish my studies, but I quickly noticed a gap in the sector,” she recalls. “As a mother, I dreamt of finding a place with large outdoor spaces, free from bright colours or overstimulating environments. I wanted my daughter to be exposed to natural resources, ideally wooden rather than plastic, and, most importantly, somewhere that offered no screen time during the day. Having studied early years development, I’m very much a by-the-book mother and became passionate about these elements.”

While teaching, Charmaine continued to develop her vision until she found potential premises for her first childcare centre. “I redesigned the space to meet each developmental need, creating areas for art, music and a mini library, as well as a spacious outdoor area, all tailored to provide a curriculum focused on open-ended art and play.”

An opportunity to observe the holistic Steiner Waldorf approach abroad solidified Charmaine’s perspective. “After that, we reshaped and refined our curriculum towards the Steiner Waldorf pedagogy,” she says, explaining that the educational style focuses on developing children’s intellectual, artistic and practical skills through imagination and creativity. “Waldorf education gives children space to express their interests through music, art, storytelling, drama, yoga, and outdoor play. Unlike Montessori, where the adult gives the child an item along with instructions on how to use it, Waldorf revolves around child-led play, using open-ended resources through which children can express themselves with no structure, direction or expectations.”

Charmaine’s journey is one of self-made success, having taken on nearly every role within her organisation – from financial planning and business development to administration and educational leadership. She has also partnered closely with parents, understanding their perspectives to shape client experiences. What began as a small team of two in a single centre has, over 10 years, evolved into a thriving team of more than 30 across four centres in Qormi, Ħamrun and San Ġwann. Today, as Founder, Charmaine remains deeply involved, collaborating with senior management and educators, and ensuring that Magic Castle Waldorf’s vision is realised every day.

“We focus on policy reform to shape the company’s future direction and the services we offer, while continuously refining our practices to meet children’s needs for expression, creativity and emotional well-being. I ensure our policies align with the latest research in early childhood development, regularly integrating new insights and methodologies into our programmes to keep our approach innovative, evidence-based and distinct from traditional childcare models. Policy reform is not just about addressing threats; it’s an opportunity to challenge conventional thinking and transform obstacles into pathways for innovation and progress. We can draw inspiration from a child’s perspective, where a simple pine cone embodies endless imagination,” Charmaine asserts.

Continuous learning and a holistic approach for both the children and the team remain top priorities as the company grows. “I’m currently prioritising vertical expansion beyond conventional childcare services. We recognised the need to offer a range of services that support holistic child development, and we’ve carved out this niche,” explains Charmaine.

While Magic Castle Waldorf remains a key part of the business, today, MC Innovative Ltd encompasses a broader range of initiatives. Launched in 2024, ChefKody is a nutritional food programme where a nutritionist plans and freshly prepares the children’s daily meals at the childcare centre, promoting healthy eating habits from an early age. Meanwhile, MC Innovative Ltd also offers parental talks and workshops to bridge the gap between home and the centre, creating a cohesive learning environment for children and their parents, grandparents or guardians.

Innovative by name and nature, the company also houses Charmaine’s ever-growing list of intellectual property related to childcare, particularly regarding optimising the space for holistic development and creating a conducive and inspiring environment for both employees and children – reflecting the CEO’s detail-oriented ethos. “I’ve always believed in the importance of details,” Charmaine affirms. “In every aspect, I’m the one looking to add that extra touch, whether it’s implementing a new policy or procedure, designing the premises, or planning activities for the children.”

A positive working environment is also essential, continues Charmaine. “Every staff member works differently, so what motivates one person might not work for another. But I believe it’s important to treat every staff member as an individual, not just a number – just as we do with the children. We want to ensure every person feels happy, respected and supported. For both children and educators, this philosophy has proved effective. It’s incredibly rewarding to see a child who was scared upon arrival leave with confidence and to witness  our staff’s growth in confidence when they’re in the right position with everything they need to succeed.”

Indeed, Charmaine’s innovative leadership has been recognised since Magic Castle Waldorf’s establishment in 2014, with the company winning the Company of Excellence Award at the Business Woman of the Year Awards in both 2019 and 2020 which were presided over by H.E. President Emeritus Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca and by H.E. President Emeritus George Vella.

“A big part of the journey has been about challenging the taboos around childcare, especially for women,” Charmaine highlights. “Winning these awards empowered me as a woman and motivated me to further promote the potential of women in society by enabling them to build C-suite careers and take on leadership positions alongside motherhood, just as I have done. Innovation is key, especially in childcare, and it’s never more important than when challenging society’s understanding of what a childcare centre can be, as well as addressing the gender care gap and the role of women as both parents and businesspeople. My goal is to change society’s view of childcare centres from mere babysitting services to educational experiences. I would also love to see more men pursue careers in care-related roles.”

Determined and focused growth, while challenging societal norms, continues to be at the forefront of Charmaine’s vision for 2025. MC Innovative Ltd is set to celebrate Magic Castle Waldorf’s 10th anniversary with the launch of an additional centre, which will serve as a kindergarten for children aged three to five. “As an alternative to traditional preschool, we plan to open the first Waldorf-inspired kindergarten,” shares Charmaine. “Here, children can follow a curriculum on literacy and numeracy while also learning key life skills such as time management, coping techniques, mental health practices, and organisational skills – all based on our holistic, child-led ethos.”

Although the children enjoy a tech-free environment, educators remain paperless where possible and communicate with parents via an app. Charmaine is keen to continue leveraging technology to support the business, care for the environment and strengthen ties with the local community.

Charmaine is committed to challenging outdated policies and introducing fresh ideas in her field. Her unconventional journey – becoming a mother before graduating, founding her company before earning her MBA and now pursuing a law degree at 31 – has shaped her belief in the power of creative thinking and finding growth in every challenge. As she puts it, “no matter the industry, life’s obstacles are just stepping stones to greater opportunities.”

Thinking ahead to the coming years, Charmaine plans “to embrace the stability the past decade has given us, solidifying our position as a leader in the childcare sector. I’m also excited to launch our new kindergarten concept, pursue industry partnerships and continue my succession plan as CEO. Additionally, we’ll be focusing even more on our CSR and ESG goals, serving our community and protecting the environment. We want MC Innovative Ltd to keep building a bright future with certainty and vision for the next generation – and for those raising them.”

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.