As in the previous academic year, the subsidy will cover a minimum of 4 teaching hours for 10 months, but will be extended to the entire stage from 0 to 3 years of age

From September onwards, free education will be guaranteed for children enrolled in the first cycle of nursery education in the public network of nursery schools and the complementary network. This was approved today by the Consell de Govern, which met in an extraordinary session.

The measure, which was announced at the beginning of August, will cover at least 4 hours a day for 10 months; exactly the same as that approved by the previous Executive, with the novelty that it is extended from 2-3 years to 0-3. School heads will be able to determine the number of free hours between 8am and 2pm.

It is expected that 11,131 pupils aged 0-3 (6,782 more children than last year) will be able to benefit from this measure as of 1 September. The places will be distributed among 111 centres in the public network and 83 in the complementary network, which this year has incorporated 30 more ‘escoletes’.

The total investment for the 0-3 free education will be 37,710,000 euros. From September to December the planned expenditure is 15,084,000 euros, while from January to June 2024 a total of 22,626,000 euros is expected to be invested.

The public ‘escoletes’ as well as those of the complementary network will receive 45,000 euros per course and classroom. It is estimated that the approximate cost of a place for 2-3 year-olds is at least 2,500 euros (250 euros per month). Although the ratios in the 1st and 2nd year classrooms are lower, the budget will be the same because the cost of keeping the classroom open is the same.