How public nursery places (escuelas infantiles) work in Spain

Key rules

• Three kinds of place: Places are public, convenio-based or independent private, and only the first two use the points-based admission process.
• Uneven chances: Demand often exceeds public places in big cities, most of all for babies, so chances differ by city, district and age.
• Independent private: You enrol directly and prices are set by the nursery, so it works as a backup but usually costs much more.
• Regional differences: Fees, subsidies, coverage and who runs the nurseries differ by region and town hall.

Coverage, demand and fee details change by region and year, so confirm current figures with your town hall or regional education department.

The short version

Spain has three kinds of nursery place for children aged 0-3. Public and convenio places are cheaper but scarce in many cities. Independent private places are easier to get but usually cost much more. Who runs the nurseries, how many places exist and how hard it is to get one all depend on your city and region.

The three kinds of place

Public places. A town hall or the regional education department runs or owns the nursery. You pay a fee based on your income, set by the administration. Places go to families through an admission process based on points.

Convenio places. These are in private centres, or centres run by a company under contract, that have an agreement (convenio) with the council or region. Admission follows the same points system as public places. Fees are close to public ones.

Independent private places. The nursery sets its own prices and you enrol directly with the centre, often at any time of year. There is no points system. These usually cost much more.

Who runs the public nurseries

The operator changes from city to city. In many cities the council owns the nursery and sets the fees, while a company or cooperative runs it day to day under contract.

• Madrid: municipal escuelas infantiles, many run by private firms or cooperatives under contract. There are also regional centres and casas de niños.
• Barcelona: municipal escoles bressol. The council manages some directly, and companies or cooperatives manage many under contract.
• Valencia and Andalusia: regional or municipal centres. In Andalusia the regional government runs the convenio scheme, where private centres take part with a fee subsidy. Seville, Málaga and other cities also have municipal centres.

Contracts change from time to time, so ask your town hall who runs a given nursery now.

How many places exist

Coverage is partial and uneven. The Basque Country, Madrid, Catalonia and Asturias are generally at the high end, with Madrid and the Basque Country highest. The Canary Islands, Murcia, Andalusia, Castilla-La Mancha and Extremadura are among the lowest for public places. Coverage is much lower for babies under 1 and for 1-year-olds than for 2-year-olds.

How hard it is to get a place

In big cities, applicants often outnumber public places, especially for babies. Madrid and Barcelona regularly receive more first-choice requests than places in many districts, and some centres have several applicants per place. The ratio varies by district, age group and year. Ask your city or regional education department for the latest numbers for your district and your child's age.

Because of this, treat a public or convenio place as a possibility, not a certainty. Line up an independent private nursery as a backup.

Help paying for private places

Some regions, such as Madrid, Catalonia and the Basque Country, have cheque or grant schemes that help families pay for private places. Ask your region's education department whether one applies to you. The checklist below covers the steps to take.

Checklist

• Find out which kind of place each nursery near you offers: public, convenio or independent private.

• Ask your town hall who runs the public nurseries in your city, the council or a company under contract, and who sets the fees.

• Ask whether your region has a cheque or grant scheme for private places.

• Look up how many places and applicants your district had last year, especially for your child's age group.

• Pick one or two independent private nurseries as a backup, since public places are often oversubscribed.

Frequently asked questions

Who runs public nurseries in big cities like Madrid and Barcelona?

Both cities have municipal nurseries, and many are run day to day by private firms or cooperatives under contract. The council keeps ownership and sets the fees. Madrid also has regional centres and casas de niños, and Barcelona's escoles bressol are administered through its education bodies.

Is a convenio place the same as a public place?

No, a convenio place is in a private centre that has an agreement with the council or region, but it follows the public points system.

Which regions have the most nursery places for children under 3?

The Basque Country and Madrid are generally the highest, followed by Catalonia and Asturias. The Canary Islands, Murcia, Andalusia, Castilla-La Mancha and Extremadura are among the lowest for public coverage. Places are scarcer for babies and 1-year-olds than for 2-year-olds.

Can I get help paying for a private nursery if I miss out on a public place?

Yes, some regions such as Madrid, Catalonia and the Basque Country offer cheque or grant schemes that help families pay for private places. Independent private nurseries cost much more and enrol directly with the centre, often year-round.