Nursery language, bilingual and international options

Key rules

• Public nurseries: In regions with their own language, public nurseries mainly use it, and families rarely choose.
• Private bilingual: Bilingual private nurseries are mostly in big cities and wealthy or coastal areas, and rare in small towns.
• International nurseries: Not every international school takes under-3s, so confirm the age range directly.
• Bilingual claims: Check the hours, staff and written timetable rather than trusting the label.

The language depends on your region and the type of centre

The language your child hears is set mainly by two things: where you live and whether the nursery is public, private or international. Bilingual claims in marketing vary a lot, so check them before you pay.

Public nurseries in regions with their own language

In regions with a second official language, public nurseries for under-3s generally work mainly in that language. Families do not usually get to choose the language at this age.

• Catalonia: public nurseries (escoles bressol) use Catalan. Spanish is introduced gradually.
• Basque Country: Basque is the main language in most public nurseries. Models differ between centres.
• Galicia: public nurseries use Galician, and it is a priority.
• Valencian Community: public nurseries use Valencian or a mix, depending on the area.
• Balearic Islands: Catalan is the usual language of public centres.

In the rest of Spain, public nurseries work in Spanish. Practice varies by town and by centre, so ask the specific nursery what language the children hear in the room.

Private bilingual and English-immersion nurseries

Private nurseries with English are a standard offer in big cities and wealthier areas. They are most common in Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Málaga and the Costa del Sol, Marbella, Seville, Alicante, Palma, Bilbao and San Sebastián. Some give a few hours of English a day. Others use full immersion with native-speaker staff.

In small towns and rural areas they are much less common. If you live in one, expect Spanish or the regional language, or a drive to the nearest city.

Quality varies widely. The checklist below shows what to ask. Also confirm that the centre is authorised by the regional education department as an escuela infantil, the official registration for ages 0 to 3.

International school nurseries

Many international schools have an early-years section that follows a British, American, French, German or other curriculum. They are concentrated in Madrid, Barcelona, the Costa del Sol and Marbella, Valencia and Alicante, the Balearics and the Canary Islands.

Not all of them take children under 3. Some start only at age 3, and places change, so confirm the age range and availability with each school. Some private bilingual nurseries use English immersion or Montessori methods but are not formal foreign-curriculum schools. Ask which one you are looking at.

How to decide

Start with what you want: integration in the local language, English, or your home country's curriculum. Then see what exists where you live. The decision block below helps you match the language to the type of nursery. Before you sign, visit during the day and use the checklist to test any bilingual claim.

Choosing between options

Which kind of nursery fits the language you want your child to hear?

• Public nursery in the regional language: You live in Catalonia, the Basque Country, Galicia, the Valencian Community or the Balearic Islands and want your child to hear the local language; public nurseries there work mainly in it.

• Private bilingual or English-immersion nursery: You live in a large city or coastal area and want daily English; the level varies widely, so check the actual staff and hours.

• International school nursery: You want a British, American, French, German or other curriculum and live in a major city or expat coastal area; confirm the school takes under-3s.

Choose by the language you want your child to hear, then check the claim: in public nurseries the region sets the language, while in private and international centres you test hours, staff and authorisation before you enrol.

Checklist

• Ask how many hours a day are in the second language; true immersion is usually 3 or more hours, not a weekly 30-minute class.

• Ask whether the teachers are native speakers or hold a C1/C2 level or a recognised teaching qualification, such as CELTA, PGCE or an early-childhood degree.

• Find out whether the lead classroom teacher uses the language or only a visiting specialist does.

• Check that the number of children per educator stays the same during the language session.

• Ask whether the nursery is accredited or partnered with a recognised body, such as Cambridge, a British Council programme or a regional bilingual authorisation.

• Ask to see the written curriculum and the weekly timetable.

• Visit during the day, watch a session and ask to see staff CVs.

• Ask for references from current parents.

• If you want an international school, ask each one whether it has a section for under-3s and whether it has places.

Frequently asked questions

Can I choose the language in a public nursery in Catalonia or the Basque Country?

No, families do not usually choose the language in a public first-cycle nursery in these regions. Catalan is the main language in Catalan public nurseries, with Spanish introduced gradually, and Basque is the main language in most Basque ones. Ask the specific nursery how it works, as practice varies by municipality.

Do international school nurseries take children under 3?

Not always, because some international schools start only at age 3. Many have a section for ages 0-3 or 1-3 following British, American, French or German programmes. Ask each school whether it has a place for your child's age.

Are bilingual nurseries easy to find in small towns?

No, bilingual and English-immersion nurseries are much less common in small towns and rural areas. They are concentrated in big cities and coastal areas such as Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia and the Costa del Sol. In a small town, ask the local nurseries how many hours of English they really offer.