What you sign when you enrol in a private nursery

Terms used

• Matrícula — The matrícula is the one-off enrolment fee a nursery charges at the start of each school year.
• Reserva de plaza — The reserva de plaza is a payment to hold your child's place, sometimes deducted from the first month.
• Comedor — The comedor is the nursery's meal service, either included in the fee or charged as a separate monthly line.
• Madrugadores — Madrugadores is the early drop-off service before normal opening hours, usually an optional extra.
• Baja — The baja is your written notice that your child is leaving the nursery.

Key rules

• Notice: Most nurseries want written notice of withdrawal commonly 15 to 30 days before month end, and bill the next month in full if you are late.
• Absences: Illness and family holidays usually do not reduce the monthly fee.
• August: Many nurseries charge a full or reduced fee for August, so ask what holds the place.
• Non-refundable fees: Treat matrícula and materials fees as non-refundable once paid.

What enrolling commits you to

When you sign, you agree to pay a one-off enrolment charge, a monthly fee and any extras, and to follow the contract's rules on notice, August and absences. Read these terms before you pay anything. Terms differ from one nursery to the next, so the contract is what counts.

One-off charges

Most private nurseries charge a matrícula at the start of each school year. Some also ask for a reserva de plaza to hold the place. That reservation payment is either deducted from the first month or counted as the matrícula, so ask which. Materials (and sometimes uniforms, bibs or insurance) are usually charged once a year or once a term.

Expect amounts from tens of euros to a few hundred, depending on the city and the type of centre. Treat the matrícula and materials as non-refundable once paid. Reservation fees are often stated as non-refundable too, although refund terms depend on the contract and consumer law.

The monthly fee and extras

Fees vary a lot by city and centre. Madrid and Barcelona are generally the highest. Valencia, Seville and Málaga are somewhat lower. Bilingual and international centres cost more than standard ones.

The price depends on your schedule: morning only is cheapest, a full day costs more. Meals (comedor) are either included in the full-day price or charged as a separate monthly line. Early drop-off (madrugadores) and late pick-up are normally optional extras, charged per month or per use. Ask for the exact total for the schedule you need.

Notice if you leave

Most nurseries ask for written notice of withdrawal (baja) before the end of the month, commonly 15 to 30 days. If your notice is late, expect to pay the next month in full. Some centres also keep the reservation or matrícula. Find the exact period in your contract and give notice in writing, keeping a copy.

August

Many private nurseries charge for August or part of it, especially those open all year. Common set-ups:

• A full August fee if your child attends.
• A reduced fee, often a fraction of the monthly fee, to hold the place if your child is away.
• A school year from September to July with no August billing, but a fee to reserve the place.

Some centres run a summer school (escuela de verano) in July and August with its own prices. If you will be away, ask what you pay to keep the place.

Absences

Nurseries generally do not refund the monthly fee when your child is ill or on family holiday, because the fee pays for the reserved place and staff, not attendance days. Common exceptions are:

• A meal credit after a long absence, for example more than a week, usually with notice.
• A discount for long illness backed by a medical certificate.
• A proportional credit if the nursery itself closes.

Check which of these your contract offers.

If a clause looks unfair

Consumer law lets you challenge abusive clauses. If a term seems one-sided, ask your town hall's consumer office before you sign or pay.

Timeline and deadlines

• Read the contract's August terms and ask what you pay to keep the place: before you pay the matrícula

• Expect the next month's fee in full if your notice is late: if you miss the notice period

Checklist

• Ask which one-off charges apply: matrícula, reservation fee (reserva de plaza) and materials.

• Ask whether the reservation fee is deducted from the first month or counted as the matrícula.

• Ask for the monthly fee for your schedule, morning only or full day.

• Check whether meals (comedor) are included or charged as a separate monthly line.

• Find the notice period for withdrawal in the contract and how to give it in writing.

Fees vary by city and centre, so check current figures with the nursery.

Nursery contract traps to check before paying

• Non-refundable reservation and matrícula fees: Many nurseries charge a one-off matrícula (enrolment fee) and sometimes a separate reservation fee, and state both as non-refundable. You could lose that money if your plans change. Ask whether the reservation fee is deducted from the first month or counted as the matrícula, and get the answer in writing before you pay.

• August billing: Some nurseries charge the full August fee if your child attends. Others charge a reduced fee to hold the place, or run a separate summer school with its own price. Ask what you pay for August if your child is away, and whether the contract runs September to July.

• Late notice and refunds: If you give notice late, the nursery generally bills the next month in full, and some keep the reservation or matrícula too. Notice is usually written and due before the end of the month, commonly 15 to 30 days. Find the notice clause, send notice in writing and keep a copy with the date.

• Consumer law limits unfair clauses: Standard clauses you could not negotiate can be declared null if they cause a clear imbalance against you, such as losing money paid with no compensation, or a disproportionate penalty. A nursery may keep an amount that fairly covers its real costs, but a blanket non-refundable deposit can be challenged. The 14-day right to cancel does not apply to a contract signed at the nursery unless the contract grants it. If you think a clause is unfair, ask for the nursery's complaints sheet (hoja de reclamaciones), then go to your regional consumer office (OMIC) or the courts.

Frequently asked questions

Does my child's absence for illness mean I pay less that month?

No, the monthly fee normally stays the same when your child is ill or on holiday, because it covers the reserved place and the staff. Some contracts give a credit for meals not eaten after a long absence, or a discount for long illness with a medical certificate.

What happens if I am away in August and want to keep the place?

Many nurseries ask for a reduced fee, often a fraction of the normal monthly fee, to hold your place in August. Others run September to July with no August billing but a reserved-place fee. Some offer a summer school (escuela de verano) in July and August with its own price.

Are meals and early drop-off included in the monthly fee?

Not always: meals (comedor) are either a separate monthly line or included in the full-day price. Early drop-off (madrugadores) and late pick-up are usually optional extras, charged per month or per use. Ask for the full price list for your schedule.

Can I get my reservation fee back if I change my mind?

Often not, because many nurseries state the reservation fee (reserva de plaza) as non-refundable, and matrícula is usually non-refundable once paid. The contract sets the refund terms, and consumer law can apply to unfair clauses.