Smart from the Start

Smart from the Start Smart from the Start Centres are located in Żabbar, Gżira and San Ġwann. Within our settings children learn and have fun through active play and engagement.

We encourage and support each child in all areas of development and promote a positive environment

01/09/2026

With many of our children recently going abroad on holiday and excitedly talking about aeroplanes, we followed their interest and read the Maltese book ‘Andrew l-Ajruplan’ by Nathalie Portelli. 📖✈️

But of course, we didn’t stop at the story! Our aeroplane-themed tuff tray quickly became a hit with our little toddlers, inviting them to explore, imagine and play. 🥰

Through these simple, child-led experiences, we supported pre-reading and language skills, new vocabulary, communication and imaginative role play — all while building on something already meaningful and exciting in the children’s lives. 💛

27/08/2026

🔦🌿 A little jungle mystery…

With a simple beam of light 💡 , hidden jungle animals slowly came into view. 🐒🦁

An invitation to wonder 💭 , notice 👀 and discover 👩‍🔬— where curiosity leads the learning. ✨

25/08/2026

For today’s jungle invitation to play, we combined familiar jungle animals 🦍🐅🦁 with real natural resources — twigs 🪵, carobs, leaves 🍃 wooden log slices and, of course, natural clay. 🤎

Natural clay offers a very different sensory 👋experience from playdough. It is cooler, heavier and more resistant, encouraging children to squeeze 👌, press, pinch 🤏 , roll and mould — wonderful for strengthening little hands and developing fine-motor skills 🫶.

Unlike playdough, clay also connects children directly with an earth-derived material. Its texture changes as it is handled, it holds impressions beautifully, and children can explore the marks and patterns created by bark, twigs, animal footprints and other natural treasures.

A little jungle where nature, sensory exploration and imaginative play come together. 🌿🐘🦒

18/08/2026

Our little learners at Smart from the Start Żabbar 📍 are currently fascinated by farm animals 🐄🐑🐖🐓🐐. Their excitement is evident as they explore the animals through small-world play, stories, songs and, of course, all those wonderful animal sounds!

But today, their learning became real! ❤️

Much to their surprise, “Lady Goat” — a beautiful little kid 🐐 — came to visit us! And oh… the excitement was REAL! 🥰

Experiences like this take learning far beyond pictures and toys. Meeting a real animal gives children the opportunity to observe closely, listen, touch gently and make connections between what they have been exploring and the real world. It encourages curiosity, builds vocabulary and communication, provides a rich sensory experience, and helps nurture empathy, kindness and respect for living things.

Most importantly, it follows the children’s interests — taking their fascination with farm animals and giving them an authentic, meaningful experience to build upon. 🌿

This is what an emergent curriculum looks like… we notice what captures their curiosity, and we find ways to make that learning come alive. ❤️🐐

Thank you, Lady Goat, for making today’s learning extra special! 🥰

A little table filled with nature’s treasures 🌿🤎Carobs, leaves, pine cones, twigs and more… thoughtfully offered, but wi...
18/08/2026

A little table filled with nature’s treasures 🌿🤎

Carobs, leaves, pine cones, twigs and more… thoughtfully offered, but with no instructions and no expected outcome. In true Reggio-inspired spirit, the materials become an invitation to touch 👋, investigate 🧐, arrange, compare, imagine💭 and create.

When we offer children open-ended natural resources, we give them the freedom to decide what these materials can become. 🍂🌲✨

The environment becomes the third teacher, and nature provides endless possibilities. 🫶

08/08/2026

11 years of Smart from the Start ❤️

11 years ago, in August 2015, we opened our doors for the very first time. I still remember that first day — just three little children, and the beginning of what would become our new family. 🥹

Fast forward 11 years, and that little family has grown into three centres, all blooming with laughter, learning and happy little faces. ❤️

It hasn’t always been a joy ride. There have been challenges, difficult days and plenty of lessons along the way… but we wouldn’t change this journey for anything.

To the many families who have trusted us with their most precious little ones over the years — thank you. Your trust has allowed us to grow, learn and become who we are today.

And to every child who has walked through our doors — you have each left a little footprint on our hearts. ❤️

From 3 little ones to 3 thriving centres… what an incredible 11 years it has been. 🥂

03/08/2026

Children learn best when they are trusted with real experiences.
By hammering 🔨 golf tees into sturdy cardboard, they are strengthening the muscles needed for future writing ✍️ , refining hand-eye coordination 👀👌, developing bilateral coordination, and enhancing their ability to control force and movement 🙌. Beyond the physical skills, this open-ended invitation encourages concentration 🙇‍♀️, problem-solving, perseverance, risk assessment, and independence. With simple materials and endless possibilities, children become active learners—exploring🧐, experimenting👩‍🔬, and constructing knowledge through meaningful, hands-on experiences. These are the moments where confidence grows, curiosity flourishes, and learning truly comes alive.🫶

Address

33, Triq Il-Bahrija
Haz-Zabbar
ZBR1917

Opening Hours

Monday 06:00 - 18:00
Tuesday 06:00 - 18:00
Wednesday 06:00 - 18:00
Thursday 06:00 - 18:00
Friday 06:00 - 18:00
Saturday 08:00 - 13:00

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