Parents moving to Spain can enroll their children in kindergarten. Find out about available preschools in Spain.

Children are not required to start learning Spanish until they are six years old. However, most parents take advantage of kindergartens and preschools in Spain from an early age. In fact, it is not uncommon for them to enroll their babies when they are only three months old. Spain has many kindergartens, or guarderías, that children can attend from a few months to three years old. They can then participate in educación infantil, the level of education before primary school.

Preschool in Spain

Preschool education in Spain consists of two levels. At the first stage, kindergartens (  guarderías  ) serve children from three months to three years. The second level, kindergarten or children’s school (  escuela infantil  ), is for children between three and six years of age. When a child turns six years old, it is compulsory to go to school. Although preschool is not mandatory, it is common. The OECD reports that   in Spain preschool education is almost completely covered  – 96% of three-year-old children and 97% of four-year-old children.

One of the main reasons for the high proportion of Spanish children attending preschool is the low number of parental leaves. Statutory maternity leave in Spain ends after  four months  – one of  the shortest periods  (PDF) in the European Union.

Spanish public school is free for children aged three to 18, although private school options are also available. However, the availability of preschools in Spain depends on your region and local demand. It can often be difficult to find a place for your child, especially in a public preschool.

Kinds of kindergartens/preschools in Spain

Different types of kindergartens are available in Spain:

  • Guarderías (kindergartens): These are for babies and toddlers between the ages of three months and three years.
  • Escuela infantil (children’s school/kindergarten): Children between the ages of three and six attend a Spanish preschool known as an escuela infantil. There they prepare for school and acquire social skills. Teachers introduce them to core lessons, sports, civics and safety concepts. State children’s schools are free.
  • Nannies and nannies: Many young people move to Spain to work as nannies. They advertise in newspapers or through Au Pair agencies such as  Au Pair in Spain  ,  AEPA  ,  Au Pair World  and  Europa Pages  .
  • Niñera/niñero  (nanny): Similar to nannies, nannies in Spain are generally advertised in newspapers and agencies such as  Nannies and Mannies  ,  Miss Babysitter  and  The Nanny Line  .

Guardería preschools in Spain

What are guarderias?

Guarderías are Spanish preschools where you can send your children for the first stage of infant education. It is up to you to decide whether to send your child to a public nursery school or a private one, but keep in mind that private preschools usually accept children over two years old. On the other hand, fees for public preschools are lower, and children can attend them from only a few months.

The Ministry of Education (  Ministerio de Educación  ) is responsible for all public education in Spain, including pre-school education. However, the local government (  comunidad autonoma  ) controls the opening hours of preschools in each region, the ratio of teachers to children and the time spent on each educational activity.

What do children do in guarderías?

Due to the large expat community in Spain, there are many English-speaking kindergartens. Most of them are in big cities, on the “Costas” and on the Spanish islands.

Kindergartens mostly offer low-cost childcare, rather than focusing on child development. However, public Spanish-language kindergartens can help your child learn Spanish quickly, which has many advantages. For example, public school instruction is almost entirely in Spanish, so unless you plan to send your child to an international school, it will be beneficial for them to learn the language as early as possible.

On a paid basis

There are many private paid kindergartens in Spain. They usually cater for children between the ages of two and six and are sometimes attached to primary schools. If this is the case, pupils can go directly from nursery to formal education. There is a reasonable amount of flexibility regarding visiting hours. Parents can choose mornings, afternoons, full days or just a few days a week. Schools sometimes also provide transport between home and school.

Fees for public nurseries usually include lunch and opening hours are usually 09:00 to 13:00. There are usually 20-25 children in a class in public kindergartens in Spain. Classes are usually divided into three age groups (baby-1, 1-2 and 2-3).

Search and choose a guardería in Spain

There are several ways to find a guardería. Before you move, you can contact the Spanish embassy in your country for a list of Spanish preschools in your area. You can also check the website of your town hall (  ayuntamiento  ) or ask in person when you arrive in Spain. The Ayuntamiento will tell you which kennels are in your service area. See general information on the website  of the Ministry of Education. If you want to find an English-speaking nursery, contact  the British Council  .

When choosing a guardería, think about what you want for your child. Is it important that they interact with other young people, or do you just need a safe space for them to work with? This will help you choose the right preschool in Spain. You can also ask other foreign parents about the reputation of different kindergartens. Try joining a local expat group on Facebook or a web forum such as  Expat Forum  .

How to enroll in a guardería preschool in Spain

Kindergartens in Spain have attendance zones, so you will need to live close to your chosen preschool. However, you do not have to be a legal resident to enroll your child in it – just register at the city hall. Usually, upon registration, you need to present your passport, lease or ownership document, and utility bill.

Each  community  has a different process for enrolling in a preschool, so it’s a good idea to check with your local town hall in advance. This is usually done by submitting an application form to the local education authority with a list of pre-schools you prefer. Since guarderías are often oversubscribed, places are allocated according to a points system that may take into account:

  • Your working hours and income
  • How far from the preschool do you work?
  • Does your child have siblings in preschool?
  • Regardless of whether you are a single family
  • How many children in the family
  • Any defects that the child has

You will usually need the following documents:

  • Proof of where you live and work
  • Declaration on the income of individuals
  • Libro  de Familia  (Family Book) – a document from the Spanish Ministry of Justice that lists your family members.

You will probably also need to show ID, proof that you are registered with the ayuntamiento, and some kindergartens also require immunization certificates. If you have a child with special needs, you must indicate this when applying.

Recruitment usually begins in March or April, when preschools publish the number of available places for the next school year. You can then start applying and by June you should know if your child has a place. Contact your local  ayuntamiento  for exact times.

The costs of a preschool guardería in Spain

The Spanish government subsidizes public kindergartens. They are generally inexpensive, but the exact fees depend on your income. In Barcelona, ​​for example, preschool costs  30-395 euros per month  , depending on how much you earn and whether your child stays there for lunch. The Comunidad autónoma will ask you to provide proof of income during the assessment.

Fees for private nurseries also vary widely and tend to be much more expensive. Factors such as the age of the child, the number of hours, the language spoken by the staff, and whether or not lunch is included affect the price.

What is escuela infantil?

Children between the ages of three and six can attend an escuela infantil in Spain. These preschools offer a second stage (  segundo ciclo  ) of babies’ education before primary school. Although this stage is also not mandatory, most parents send their children to these Spanish preschools. There are both public institutions managed by the Ministry of Education and local authorities, as well as private preschools.

In escuelas infantiles, children learn social skills and prepare for primary school. These preschools are either state-run or run as private enterprises. Sometimes they are located on the same territory as primary schools and are staffed by qualified teachers.

What do children do in educación infantil?

These Spanish preschools teach  the following  :

  • Communication skills
  • How to interact with peers and resolve conflicts
  • About their bodies, the differences between bodies, and respect for differences
  • Problem solving
  • Basics of maths, reading, writing, ICT, sports, dance and music
  • About family, environment and society
  • Foreign language learning is often introduced at this level or even below

A typical day starts at 09:00, followed by a siesta from noon to 15:00. During this break, children usually go home, returning to preschool between 15:00 and 17:00. However, in some preschools in Spain, children stay for lunch.

Search and choose escuela infantil

You can find a list of Spanish preschools in your area on your autonomous community’s website or in  the public registry  .

Registration requirements vary by region and municipality. As with pre-schools, competition is fierce and if you apply to a public nursery school, admissions decisions are based on a points system. This usually includes:

  • Whether you are a single parent
  • Annual gross income of the family
  • Does the child have defects?
  • Where do you live
  • Does the child have siblings at school?

Factors to consider when choosing a preschool in Spain

There are many important factors to consider when choosing a Spanish preschool. Some of the most important considerations are:

  • Lunch provision – Do you want to pick up your children for lunch and then drop them off again or pay for them to have lunch at preschool?
  • Cost – may vary depending on the availability of seats and the financial status of your family.
  • Reputation – Ask other local and international parents about the reputation of your child’s preschool.
  • Consider whether you want your child’s lessons to be taught in English or according to a specific curriculum.

How to enroll in education infantil in Spain

As soon as your family is registered at the local municipality, you can start applying. Do this as early as possible, before the last two weeks of March, to register your child for the next school year. You will need:

  • Your lease or documents for your home, if you own it
  • Passport or residence card (NIE/DNI card)
  • Your child’s birth certificate
  • Confirmation of your child’s vaccinations

You may also need to provide documents to prove your marital status. Due to high demand, it can be quite difficult to find a place.

The cost of a children’s preschool in Spain

The second stage  of educación infantil  is absolutely free. You only pay for the first learning cycle when your child is 0-3 years old.

International kindergartens and preschools in Spain

There are many reasons why you might want to send your child to an international preschool in Spain. For example, you may want your child to follow your country’s curriculum, or perhaps you prefer a particular system, such as the British or American curriculum. Also, you may not want your child to face a language barrier when you first arrive in Spain. You can find a German, French or British international preschool in your area. However, if you want your child to get a taste of the local language as early as possible, you can also find bilingual international preschools.

Another advantage of international children’s schools is that your children are surrounded by like-minded children. Due to the multicultural nature of international schools, most visitors have foreign parents and family abroad and can speak other languages. In addition, classes are smaller than in public preschools, so each pupil can be given more attention.

Search and selection of an international preschool

You probably won’t have any trouble finding an international preschool in Spain. After all, the country ranks fifth in the world in terms of the number of international schools.

There are many online databases containing comprehensive lists of international schools and preschools in Spain. Check if the preschool belongs to one of the many accreditation bodies. They include:

Other childcare options in Spain

If preschool isn’t right for you or your child, there are other options. These include babysitters, babysitters and babysitters. Au pairs are usually young foreigners who come to Spain temporarily to earn money and gain cultural experience. They usually share meals with a family whose children are looked after, have their own bedroom and receive a monthly stipend. In contrast, nannies and caregivers are salaried employees who are paid monthly or hourly.

You can easily find directories of professional au pair agencies, nannies and nannies on websites including:

Transition from kindergarten to school in Spain

Escuela infantil  should help your child prepare for primary school, as it introduces him to the topics that will be covered in his compulsory education. These include mathematics, reading, writing, art, ICT and sports. Another advantage of preschool in Spain is that your child will have the opportunity to develop their communication skills with other children.

The process of choosing a public or private primary school in Spain is similar to applying to a preschool. For some schools, this is even easier – for example, when your child is transferring from a pre-school that is part of a primary school. However, there are some good ways to prepare:

  • Check your town hall’s website for a list of primary schools
  • Consider international and other private primaries
  • Check registration dates (usually March/April/May)
  • Register your family at City Hall if you haven’t already
  • Fill out the application form (at the town hall, if a public elementary school, at a private school)
  • Follow the school’s instructions below and provide any documents they require

General tips for kindergarten in Spain

There are a few things you can do to make the nursery as comfortable as possible. Example:

  • Teach them a few simple Spanish phrases if they attend public school
  • Tag their belongings, including coats, bags and shoes
  • Provide emergency contact information, including a doctor
  • Notify the facility of any known allergies
  • Reassure the child that you will be there to pick them up
  • Allow enough time on the first day to talk to the teachers about their needs
  • Consider extra Spanish lessons if your child does not speak the local language well
  • Prepare them for Spanish birthday traditions – it is customary to pull the birthday girl’s/birthday boy’s  ears!

Useful resources

For more information, inspiration and support, check out:

Children’s and preschool institutions in Spain