Barcelona City Council has announced the pre-registration period for its municipal nurseries for the 2026-2027 academic year. This includes a new centre in Sant Andreu and expanded capacity in Barceloneta and the Eixample district. Families can submit applications from 4 to 15 May 2026, primarily through the council’s online portal. This initiative aims to provide crucial early childhood education for children aged 16 weeks to three years.
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The upcoming academic year will see the municipal nursery network grow to 106 centres across all city districts. The Instituto Municipal de Educación (IME) manages this extensive network. It plays a vital role in supporting families and fostering early development. A significant addition is the new Escola Infantil Municipal Tramuntana. It is located at Passatge de Marta Mata, 8, in the Sant Andreu de Palomar neighbourhood. This facility, currently under construction, will accommodate 104 children across seven groups. It caters to infants aged 4 to 12 months, and children aged one to three years. The new school will not hold open days due to its construction status.
Additionally, the Escola Infantil Municipal La Mar will significantly expand its offering. It is situated at Carrer Andrea Dòria, 40, in the bustling Barceloneta neighbourhood. It will add two new classrooms, increasing its capacity from five to seven groups. This provides a total of 100 places. This expansion includes an extra group for both the one-to-two-year-old and two-to-three-year-old age ranges. This addresses growing demand in the area.
Eixample Adjustments and Application Procedures
The Escola Germanetes, located in the densely populated Eixample district, home to over 260,000 residents, will also implement changes to its schedule. It will maintain five full-time groups, operating from 09:00 to 17:00. The centre will also introduce two reduced-hour groups for children born in 2024 and 2025. One morning session will run from 09:00 to 13:00. Another afternoon session will run from 15:00 to 19:00. These reduced-hour places will follow a specific pre-registration procedure. This procedure is distinct from the full-time applications. This flexibility aims to better serve families with varying needs.
Crucial Dates for Pre-Registration
The pre-registration calendar officially opens with the publication of available places on 1 May 2026. Families must submit their applications between 4 and 15 May 2026, inclusive. The Barcelona City Council’s online portal for municipal procedures will activate for submissions at 00:00 on 4 May. This digital approach streamlines the application process for most families. However, in exceptional circumstances, families unable to complete the online process can contact their first-choice nursery. They can arrange an in-person appointment during the same period. For the new Tramuntana nursery, in-person support will be available at the Instituto Municipal de Educación (IME) headquarters at Plaça Espanya, 5. This ensures all families receive necessary assistance.
Barcelona’s Commitment to Early Education
The municipal nursery network, managed by the Instituto Municipal de Educación (IME), provides essential early childhood education. It serves children from 16 weeks up to three years of age. The expansion and new facilities underscore Barcelona’s ongoing commitment to increasing access to public education for its youngest residents. These initiatives aim to support working families and ensure equitable educational opportunities across the city’s diverse neighbourhoods. The council continuously evaluates demand and demographic shifts. This helps adapt its educational offerings. Open days for most nurseries will run from 7 April to 5 May. This allows parents to visit centres and gather information before the formal pre-registration period.
Families should mark these important dates. They must prepare their applications diligently to secure places for the 2026-2027 academic year. The council expects high demand for these new and expanded offerings. This reflects the city’s growing need for quality early education.
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Originally published by El Periódico Barcelona. Read original article.
