Listening to the radio this morning from the UK there was a report out about the woefully inadequate child care facilities available and how much those that are available actually cost. Childcare can cost up to 22000 Pounds annually apparently. Ouch! For families thinking of coming to Spain to live with children they often worry about this aspect of life in Spain and that worry is totally without foundation.
All of my three children have been in Spanish nurseries prior to starting school, and remember that children in Spain can start school at 3 which takes away two years of trying to find childcare. My eldest went to a nursery in Asturias when we lived there and was then looked after by a carer until we arrived home from work. I cannot remember the costs but that was 15 years ago and even though we earnt very little, being English teachers in an acedemy, I don't remember having problems paying the amount.
Where I can add my experience is here in Valencia. I have a 5 year old and 3 year old who both went to the same nursery from 1-3 years old before going into school. The nursery opens from 9am to 5pm for five days a week and includes two snacks and a balanced lunch for a monthly cost of 240 Euros. (Yes a MONTHLY cost not weekly). However we actually paid just 90 Euros per month as that cost was subsidised by the regional government, even though it is a private nursery, in order to give parents the opportunity to work if they had the chance. (This system is reflected in the education system as a whole with a three tier system of state schools, private schools and a mid range called "Colegios Concertados" where a subsidy is paid to reduce their cost)
The nursery system encourages socialisation and early skills and in many they actually bring in classroom helpers to give English classes to the children, ie they play in English and learn to count, learn the colours etc... This is often an optional extra but in many cases is also free.From our point of view speaking English in the home with English language TV the nursery also serves as a place to make sure that our children learn Spanish without making a conscious effort to speak in Spanish at home even though we could. When there are birthday parties for the kids at the nursery there are also invites and the friendships built up with the other parents are usually Spanish speaking too.
Nurseries are regulated, meaning they have to have a certain amount of outside space, staff to children ratio and various other things and staff are usually well trained and vetted.If this is one of the things holding you back from coming to Spain don't let it. This should be one of your least important concerns.
Related Posts (Some must reads for parents here)
1) Upgrading a Lifestyle or Upgrading a House?
2) Nick Snelling on Education
3) Education in Spain. What About the Kids?
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