Childcare without grandparents (abuelos) nearby

Terms used

• Abuelos — Abuelos are grandparents, who in Spain often provide regular childcare.
• Comedor escolar — The comedor escolar is the school canteen, which serves lunch and supervises children until mid-afternoon.
• Extraescolares — Extraescolares are paid after-school activities that also keep children occupied until late afternoon.
• Campamentos urbanos — Campamentos urbanos are day camps run in school holidays, where children go home each evening.
• Canguro — A canguro is a babysitter, often a student, hired for occasional hours.
• Cuidadora — A cuidadora is a paid carer who looks after children for regular hours.
• Certificado de delitos de naturaleza sexual — The certificado de delitos de naturaleza sexual is an official certificate showing no sexual offence record, asked of people working with minors.
• Reducción de jornada — Reducción de jornada is a legal right to shorter working hours, with proportionally lower pay, to care for young children.

Key rules

• School holidays: School services are often closed in July and August, so book camps and plan leave well ahead.
• Early and late cover: Early-morning and after-school services stretch the day from about 7:30 to 17:00-18:00 at many schools.
• Paid carers: Someone who works regular hours for you should be registered as a household employee.
• Local variation: Services, prices and dates vary by school, town and region, so ask your school first.

Why this matters

Spanish school days and school holidays assume that family helps. Grandparents (abuelos) often cover early drop-offs, gaps in the school day and the long holidays. Many children, especially under 3, are looked after by them at least sometimes, and the share is higher for after-school and holiday care.

If your parents or in-laws live abroad, you need to replace that help with paid care or a network of other parents. It is easier if you plan it before term starts.

Cover the school day

Most gaps can be filled with school services. What exists, and what it costs, varies by school, town and region, so ask your child's school early.

• Lunch: the comedor escolar (school canteen) usually covers lunch until about 15:00-16:00.
• Early mornings: many schools run an early-morning service, called aula matinal or "madrugadores", from about 7:30.
• Afternoons: after-school activities, called extraescolares, often run until 17:00-18:00.

If you work until later than that, add a paid carer or a parent swap for the last hour or two.

Cover the school holidays

Holidays are the hardest gap. They are much longer than any parent's leave. The school's own services are often closed in July and August.

• Look for campamentos urbanos (day camps) at Christmas, Easter and in summer. Town councils, sports clubs, schools and private companies run them.
• Book early. Places and dates differ by town.
• Mix camps with your own leave, taken in different weeks from your partner's, to cover the whole summer.

Hire paid help

For one-off evenings, hire a canguro (babysitter). University students are a common choice, often found through campus notice boards. For regular hours, a paid cuidadora (carer) or nanny works better.

If someone works regular hours for you, they should be registered as a household employee. Ask your local social security office how to do it.

Before you leave your child with someone:

1. Meet them in person and check their identity.
2. Ask for references from earlier families.
3. Do a trial session while you are at home.
4. For a nanny or carer who works with your child, ask for a certificado de delitos de naturaleza sexual.

The documents list below covers the paperwork.

Build a parent network

Most families without relatives rely on other parents. Word of mouth is how most people find trusted help.

• Ask parents at your school or nursery who they use.
• Join the parents' WhatsApp group for your child's class.
• Agree turn-taking with one or two families, such as taking each other's children one afternoon a week.
• Get to know neighbours. Expat community groups can also help.
• Online childcare platforms exist for finding canguros and nannies. Their availability and fees change, so compare before you pay.

Use your work rights

Talk to your employer about flexible hours or remote work. You also have a legal right to reduced hours (reducción de jornada) to care for young children. It reduces your pay in proportion, so ask your employer or HR how it works in your case.

The FAQ below answers common questions about finding and checking a canguro and about holiday and after-school care.

Documents you need

• Certificate of no sexual offences (certificado de delitos de naturaleza sexual) for any nanny or carer who works with your child in formal employment

• References from earlier families for a canguro or nanny, which are a good idea but not a legal document

Frequently asked questions

Where can I find a trusted canguro (babysitter) in Spain?

Most families find a canguro through word of mouth, such as other parents at the school or nursery, neighbours and parent chat groups. University students are a common source, often through campus notice boards. Online babysitting and nanny platforms also help you search.

How should I check a canguro before leaving my child with them?

Meet in person, ask for references and do a trial session before you rely on them. For formal work with minors, ask for a certificate of no sexual offences (certificado de delitos de naturaleza sexual).

Who looks after my child in the school holidays if I work?

Town council, sports club, school and private camps (campamentos urbanos) run at Christmas, Easter and in summer. School services are often closed in July and August, so book a camp or a paid cuidadora early. Reduced hours (reducción de jornada) or remote work can fill the gaps.

Can I get care before and after school hours without family?

Yes, many schools offer an early-morning service (aula matinal) from about 7:30, and a canteen until about 15:00-16:00. After-school activities (extraescolares) run until 17:00-18:00. Ask your school which of these it offers, as they are paid extra.