How to arrange daycare and childcare in Spain

Before you start

• Child’s age, health/allergy needs and identity; parent/guardian and address documents requested by the provider.
• Work/commute hours, required start date and a written weekly/holiday coverage plan.
• Provider authorisation details, safeguarding/pick-up rules and a full fee schedule.
• Regional/municipal aid conditions and deadlines; household-income evidence where required.

The steps

1. Define the gaps you actually need to cover

   List the earliest drop-off, latest collection, commute buffer, school holidays, summer closure and sick-child days. A place from 9 to 4 may not cover a full workday. Include phased settling-in and days when a child cannot attend. Plan a trusted backup carer rather than assuming school or nursery covers every weekday of the year.

2. Understand nursery versus school provision

   The first infantil cycle is 0–3; the second is 3–6. Public, municipal and private authorised early-years centres may have different admissions, fees and extended hours. Some regions fund eligible first-cycle provision or offer aid, but the terms and actual vacancies must be checked. Ask whether the centre is authorised for the age group and whether meals, nappies and longer hours are part of the quote.

3. Apply for public/municipal places on the local calendar

   Ask the education authority or municipality for current admission windows, age cut-offs, points, waiting-list rules and enrolment deadlines. Late arrival may mean asking about vacancies rather than using a closed ordinary round. Submit the required file and keep proof; aid applications may be separate from the nursery application. Check whether accepting a private place affects a public waiting-list position.

4. Visit and compare the daily care

   Ask about staff qualifications, ratios, settling-in, naps, outdoor time, meals, allergies, toileting, sickness policy and communication with parents. Observe how staff interact with children and how collection is controlled. Ask which languages are used. Check inspection/authorisation information and what happens if the usual carer is absent. Do not decide only by photographs or the word “bilingual”.

5. Get the complete price and cancellation terms

   Request registration/reservation fees, monthly care, meals, extended hours, holiday weeks, materials and deposit rules. Confirm start date, notice period, refund terms and any annual increase. For subsidies, ask who pays initially, what evidence is needed and whether aid is paid to you or directly to the centre. Budget the unsubsidised amount until approval is certain.

6. For school-age children, arrange wraparound and holidays

   Ask the school about aula matinal, comedor, after-school activities and holiday programmes, then check the exact hours and age groups. Extracurricular classes may not provide continuous childcare or transport. Coordinate authorised collection and a backup for strike days, closures or illness. Municipal camps can have separate application windows and limited places.

7. For a nanny or childminder, check the legal arrangement

   Verify references, identity, relevant safeguarding credentials and the care setting. Agree duties, hours, pay, cancellations, emergency instructions and authorised outings. If directly employing someone, employment and Social Security obligations may apply; use the appropriate official route rather than treating a regular employee as informal cash help. Ask a professional about the exact arrangement.

Important details

Common questions