Before-school, after-school and holiday care
You will know what wraparound care exists, how to cover the long summer and school breaks, and how to build backup cover.
Enrolling your child in a Spanish school does not solve childcare. The school day is shorter than a working day, and the school year leaves long gaps in summer and at holidays. This topic covers how to fill those gaps: morning and after-school care, summer cover, short breaks and backup for…
Pick the article that fits your situation
Morning care (aula matinal) and after-school clubs (extraescolares)
Explains what early-morning care and after-school clubs each cover at Spanish schools, and how to check whether the two together close your working day. For parents of infant and primary children whose work starts early or ends late.
Why school does not solve your childcare gap
School hours and the school year are shorter than a normal working calendar. This page shows the daily and yearly gaps so working parents moving to Spain can plan wraparound care, camps and break programmes.
Who runs school-based care and how to sign up
Explains who runs before- and after-school care in Spain (parents' association, town hall or private company), how to sign up, and what to ask first. For parents of children at a Spanish school who need early opening, canteen or afternoon activities.
Summer camps (escuelas de verano) and covering the long summer
How to cover the long Spanish summer break with camps: who runs them, what they cost, when to book and how to handle full weeks. For parents of children aged roughly 3 to 12 who need care while school is out.
Covering Christmas, Easter and bridge days (puentes)
How to arrange care when school is closed at Christmas, Easter and on bridge days. For parents of school-age children who need to find non-teaching dates early and book break camps or one-day programmes.
Backup childcare for sick days and sudden closures
How to set up a fallback before your child is sick or the school closes suddenly: what keeps a child home, who can collect them, and how to line up a paid sitter. For working parents with a school-age child in Spain.
About this topic
It is for anyone considering, planning or carrying out a move to Spain with school-age children.
Start with "Why school does not solve your childcare gap". It shows how the school day and year differ from a working calendar and what bridges the difference. From there:
- "Morning care (aula matinal) and after-school clubs (extraescolares)" helps you check whether these services together cover your working day.
- "Who runs school-based care and how to sign up" explains who provides the care and how to enrol.
- "Summer camps (escuelas de verano) and covering the long summer" helps you plan and book summer cover.
- "Covering Christmas, Easter and bridge days (puentes)" helps with short breaks and non-teaching days.
- "Backup childcare for sick days and sudden closures" helps you build a backup plan before you need it.
Key rules
- Camp booking: Municipal and many school camps open registration in April to June, while private and English camps open from January to March, and popular July weeks sell out by May or June.
- Summer break: Classes end around 19 to 24 June and restart between about 5 and 15 September, which leaves roughly 11 to 12 school-free weeks.
- Morning care hours: Aula matinal usually opens between 7:00 and 8:00 and runs until classes begin, usually 9:00.
- Morning care: Aula matinal is paid monthly, with a cheaper supervision-only tier and a dearer one with breakfast.
- Single days: Many schools let you use aula matinal on occasional days, at a higher daily rate than the monthly equivalent.
- Regional calendar: Each region sets its own school calendar, so holiday dates depend on where you live.
Before-school, after-school and holiday care: the whole process, step by step
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Ask the school or AMPA (parent association) which morning and after-school services exist and who runs them: Before the school year starts, as soon as you have a place
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Sign up for morning care (aula matinal), which usually opens between 7:00 and 8:00 and runs until classes begin, usually 9:00: Before the month you need it; cancel or change by written notice before the month ends
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Sign up for after-school clubs (extraescolares), which usually run from about 14:00-15:00 to 16:00 on short school days, and often to 17:00 or 18:00: Before the school year starts, with places allocated by criteria where demand is high
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Book private and English camps for the summer: From January to March
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Book municipal and school camps for the summer: From April to June, often in a window of one to three weeks
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Arrange Christmas and Easter camps: Registration usually opens one to two months before the break
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Book one-day programmes for bridge days (puentes) and single non-teaching days: A week or more ahead
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Cover the long summer break, when classes end around 19 to 24 June and restart between about 5 and 15 September: From the end of June to early or mid September, roughly 11 to 12 weeks
Before-school, after-school and holiday care: questions that cross several articles
Do morning care and after-school clubs cover a full working day?
Often not on their own, because school hours are shorter than a working day. Morning care starts between 7:00 and 8:00, and clubs on short school days usually end at 16:00, with many schools going to 17:00 or 18:00. Read "Morning care (aula matinal) and after-school clubs (extraescolares)" and "Why school does not solve your childcare gap".
How do I sign up for school care, and who do I ask?
Start by asking the school secretariat or the AMPA what exists and who runs it. Then fill in the form, add direct-debit details and submit it, or use the regional portal.
What does morning care cost?
Morning care is charged monthly, with a cheaper tier for supervision only and a higher one with breakfast. Some schools allow single days at a higher daily rate, and some regions give discounts for low income or large families. Ask the AMPA or council, then read "Who runs school-based care and how to sign up".
How much of the year is school-free, and when should I plan for it?
Roughly 11 to 12 weeks are school-free in summer, from around 19 to 24 June until between about 5 and 15 September. Private and English camps open registration from January to March, and municipal ones from April to June.
Is there care for Christmas, Easter and single days off?
Yes, town councils, AMPAs, sports clubs and private companies run camps for these breaks and for bridge days, mostly in cities and larger towns. See Covering Christmas, Easter and bridge days (puentes).
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