Raise Your Children on the Coast of Spain!

RAISING children on the coast of Spain offers a multitude of advantages, providing a unique and enriching experience for both parents and their little ones. From stunning beaches and a Mediterranean climate to a rich cultural heritage and educational opportunities, the Spanish coastline presents an idyllic setting for nurturing well-rounded and adventurous individuals.

What is family life like in Spain?

Living on the coast of Spain with children means embracing an abundance of natural beauty. The waters of the Mediterranean Sea, pristine sandy beaches, and picturesque coastal landscapes become an integral part of your child’s daily life. From building sandcastles and splashing in the waves to exploring rock pools and observing diverse marine life, your children will develop a deep appreciation for the environment and a love for outdoor activities.

Spain is renowned for its rich cultural heritage and warm hospitality. Living on the coast allows your children to be immersed in the local culture, fostering their understanding and appreciation for different traditions, festivals, and celebrations. Moreover, Spain’s official language, Spanish, presents a valuable opportunity for your children to learn and become fluent in a widely spoken language, opening doors to future academic and career prospects. As your child becomes bilingual notice how their personality varies depending on the language they are speaking!

A healthy Mediterranean lifestyle

The coastal regions of Spain boast a cuisine that is both tasty and healthy. From fresh seafood and vibrant fruits to flavourful olive oil and locally sourced ingredients, your children will be exposed to a Mediterranean diet known for its numerous health benefits. This lifestyle encourages balanced eating habits and emphasises the importance of nutritious food, setting the foundation for a lifetime of healthy choices. Their tradition of ‘sobremesa’, which is like a Spanish ritual whereby chatting and drinking coffee etc.. after lunch they extend lunchtime, encouraging families to spend more time together connecting. And after many partake in another cherished Spanish tradition, families often embrace the siesta, providing children with a rest or a nap during the midday heat.

High-Quality Bilingual Education

The Spanish educational system is renowned for its quality. Coastal towns often offer a range of reputable schools, both public, semi-private (also known as Colegio Concertado), and private, providing excellent educational opportunities for your children. The schools usually offer a bilingual programme. When enrolling your children in a public or semi-private school remember they work on a points system determined by where you live, where you work, and if they have any siblings in the school. For this reason, you will require a Padron (short for empadronamiento) which is a cert that proves where you live in Spain along with your child’s birth cert and proof of immunisation to begin the process.

Depending on the region you live in, or are considering moving to, the schools may be trilingual with some classes being taught in Valenciano or Catalan as well as Castellano (general Spanish) and English.

What Age do Children Start School in Spain

Children begin school at three years of age in Spain. The timetable depends on the type of school, private and semi-private schools often have a timetable of 9 am until lunch, they break for lunch and return at 3 pm until 5 pm. Public primary schools usually begin at 9 am and finish at 2 pm and secondary schools (high school) usually begin at 8.15 am and finish around 2.30 pm.

Spanish schools usually have a longer summer break compared to other countries. The school year concludes in the third week of June and they usually begin again the second week in September due to the high temperatures during the summer months.

Spain is renowned for its kid-friendly atmosphere, where children often have the freedom to play out late into the evening, taking advantage of the pleasant climate, especially during the summer months. It’s not uncommon in Spain to witness children enjoying social outings with their parents, friends, and extended family late into the night. Activities and events for children are often arranged at night during the summer months!

Raising children on the coast of Spain offers a remarkable blend of natural beauty, cultural immersion, and endless family adventures. By embracing the opportunities for outdoor exploration, language learning, and cultural experiences.

https://www.idealista.com/en/news/lifestyle-in-spain/2021/10/11/30174-best-places-for-expats-to-raise-a-family-in-spain

https://www.educacionyfp.gob.es/servicios-al-ciudadano/estadisticas/indicadores/datos-cifras.html