It has been almost a year since the El Cau nursery school in the Hostafrancs neighbourhood of Barcelona closed its doors without warning. Consequently, dozens of families were left in the lurch. Now, twelve months on from the eviction that shut the centre down, a bitter financial dispute continues to simmer.
While the private nursery has since reopened in the same premises on Carrer de Vilardell, approximately twenty families claim they are still awaiting refunds for services never provided. The debts, amounting to between 280 and 300 euros per family, relate to fees paid just before the sudden closure in February 2025.
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Home » El Cau nursery refund dispute continues one year after closure
El Cau nursery refunds: A sudden closure and a slow recovery
The conflict dates back to 18 February 2025, when the centre was evicted due to accumulated debts stemming from the pandemic era. The closure affected nearly 70 families. Many had to scramble to find alternative childcare for infants aged zero to two overnight. At the time, parents were paying monthly fees of between 500 and 600 euros. They were unaware of the facility’s precarious financial situation.
Although the nursery managed to reopen in June 2025, the administrative fallout has not been fully resolved. While some parents have received partial repayments for matriculation fees and the second half of February 2025, others remain empty-handed.
“To this day, we still have not received any clear explanation or the refund of the money owed to us,” said Marta, a mother affected by the closure. She described the situation as “surreal”. She noted the irony of the centre operating again while debts remain unpaid. “The nursery has reopened its doors, which we find outrageous considering how the closure occurred and the treatment received by the families.”
El Cau nursery director defends reopening strategy
Raquel Cruz, the director of El Cau, has defended the school’s actions. She stated that reopening was essential to generating the revenue needed to repay debts. Speaking to local media, Cruz insisted that payments are being made “little by little as we can”.
However, Cruz dismissed the scale of the complaints. She suggested that the vocal critics represent only “four families outraged over 200 or 300 euros”. She argued that these parents are financially comfortable. They are motivated by a desire to damage the school’s reputation rather than financial need. “It has been a year. Let us work and do not harm us. Otherwise, they won’t be able to collect,” she warned.
Cruz also alleged she has received threats. She claimed that the initial eviction was mishandled by the courts. “The judge behaved badly,” she stated. She added that the school never imagined it would actually be evicted.
Educational quality versus management at El Cau nursery
Despite the anger over finances and communication, parents have largely praised the educational side of El Cau. Even those critical of the administration acknowledge the quality of the project and the dedication of the educators.
“I don’t mind that they reopen, because they have a good project and the educators work very well,” admitted one mother. She eventually recovered her money after persistent demands. However, she suggested the management needs to engage in serious “self-criticism”.
Affected families have approached the Municipal Consumer Information Office (OMIC) for assistance. Meanwhile, no collective legal action has been filed yet. Many had hoped that the reopening would lead to automatic regularisation of payments. Therefore, as the one-year anniversary of the closure approaches, they continue to call for both their money and an apology.
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