The two Madrid early years stages
Spanish early years splits into two distinct stages. The first cycle, ages 0 to 3, is optional and is delivered through guarderias (private nurseries), Escuelas Infantiles (subsidised regional nurseries) and the early years departments of larger private schools. The Comunidad de Madrid currently runs around 80 public Escuelas Infantiles plus a further 230 publicly funded private partner nurseries; the wider unsubsidised private nursery estate adds another 300 to 400 settings across the city.
The second cycle, ages 3 to 6, is Educacion Infantil and is universal. It is free in all public and concertado schools and is delivered at the cost of full primary tuition in private schools. Around 95 per cent of three to six year olds in the Comunidad attend Educacion Infantil because the universal-and-free public provision is high quality and convenient. For most international families, the practical decision is whether to use a bilingual nursery for ages 0 to 3, and then which Reception-equivalent school to start at age 3.
The distinction matters because the price step from EUR 0 in a public Educacion Infantil to EUR 8,000-plus a year at an international school Reception class is the single biggest schools-related cost decision a Madrid family makes.
Fees and the public-private split
For the 0 to 3 nursery stage, fees range widely. Public Escuelas Infantiles charge a sliding scale based on family income, starting at EUR 0 a month for low-income families and rising to a capped maximum of around EUR 250 a month including comedor. Private bilingual guarderias typically charge EUR 450 to EUR 1,000 a month all in. International school early years departments charge EUR 700 to EUR 1,200 a month, which is annualised closer to EUR 7,000 to EUR 12,400 a year. Our Madrid fees guide sets these against primary and secondary tiers.
For the 3 to 6 Educacion Infantil stage, public and concertado schools are effectively free. Private international school Reception classes step into a fee range of EUR 7,200 to EUR 18,500 a year. Watch for matricula fees on enrolment, EUR 500 to EUR 2,500 non-refundable, and the sometimes substantial cost of bus transport from outside the immediate barrio.
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Illustrative example settings
The five settings below are illustrative rather than ranked. Each is established, bilingual or English-led, and used by international families.
British Council Nursery in Pozuelo serves the early years department of British Council School Madrid, with full English immersion and a clear pipeline into Reception at the larger primary school.
ICS La Moraleja Early Years takes children from age two into the International College Spain early years programme, English-led with structured Spanish exposure and a continuous pathway through IB.
Hastings School Nursery in Chamartin is the central Madrid alternative for families wanting an urban English-led nursery feeding into a British and IB primary.
Kids Garden bilingual nursery in Chamartin is a popular standalone bilingual guarderia for the central professional market. Bilingual immersion with Cambridge English benchmarks from age three.
Escuelas Infantiles Comunidad de Madrid network is the public option, around 80 settings citywide with strong staffing ratios, capped fees and a generally excellent reputation among Spanish and international families alike.
Where international families live
Early years catchment matters because nursery drop-off and pick-up windows are tighter than primary school timings. International families with under-sixes cluster around the international school anchors: La Moraleja, Las Tablas and Sanchinarro in the north, Pozuelo de Alarcon and Aravaca on the western corridor, Chamartin and Chamberi for central living. For a wider view of the Madrid school landscape from primary onwards, see our primary schools hub.
Admissions calendar
The public Escuelas Infantiles admissions window opens in early March each year for the September intake, with placement lists published in June. Private guarderias accept applications year round but the September window tightens from November. International school early years departments tied to a full Reception class usually require January applications. For ages 0 to 3, year-round transfers between private nurseries are routine.
If you are relocating, our cost calculator models early years costs against housing in each major barrio.
Frequently asked questions
How does nursery and preschool work in Madrid?
Madrid splits early years into two stages. Guarderia or escuela infantil covers ages 0 to 3, and is mostly private with around 600 settings across the Comunidad plus a regional public Escuelas Infantiles network. Educacion Infantil covers ages 3 to 6 and is universal and free in public and concertado schools, paid in private schools.
How much does nursery cost in Madrid?
Public Escuelas Infantiles charge a sliding scale based on family income, from EUR 0 to EUR 250 a month. Private bilingual nurseries run EUR 450 to EUR 1,000 a month including comedor and care hours. International school early years departments run EUR 700 to EUR 1,200 a month.
Is nursery compulsory in Spain?
No. Schooling is only compulsory from age six in Spain. Around 95 per cent of three to six year olds attend Educacion Infantil because it is universal and free at public and concertado schools and most international schools start at age three. The ages 0 to 3 stage is genuinely optional.
Can babies under one go to nursery in Madrid?
Yes. Madrid nurseries accept infants from sixteen weeks subject to availability. The Comunidad runs subsidised Escuelas Infantiles taking ages four months to three years. Private nurseries typically require children to be at least four months old. Some smaller settings start at six months.
When do you need to apply for nursery in Madrid?
Public Escuelas Infantiles open the main September intake in March of the prior year. Private bilingual nurseries accept applications year round but the September window tightens from November onwards. International school early years departments tied to a full Reception class usually need January applications.
