Kids in Barcelona - Family and parents guide to activities, shopping, holiday apartments, events, health, schools and nurseries, babysitting and childcare, and playgroups in Barcelona.

After-school childcare options in Barcelona are soon to expand. Due to demand from parents with extended working hours, the Generalitat is piloting a new daycare service in Catalunya.  The scheme, for children from 4 months to 3 years, aims to offer an additional support to families outside of school hours.  The "Minuts Menuts" service will cost just €1.00 per hour and use of the creche facilities will be limited to three hours a day with a maximum of two days weekly...

Ludotecas, are activity clubs typically located in Civic Centres or other publicbuildings. They usually offer access on an annual membership basis. Theyare mostly for children over 3 years and offer a place for children toplay between the hours of 5-7pm. There is a  legal distinction between these types of play centres and guarderias. A distinction that is sometimes overlooked by the law, parents and the centres themselves.

Although the legal diffrences may be unclear, Ludotecas are intended to be complementary play and activity centres. If they do accommodate children younger than 3 years, then a parent or guardian ought to accompany a child. They are not a place where children should be left for long periods of time or where they should remain to sleep. They also do not require an outdoor space which is a legal pre-requisite for Guarderias.

For older children, from around 6 years of age, Esplais, or youth clubs provide a space for children to play on weekday evenings. Esplais also have summer and holiday clubs and offer adventure outings for children at weekends.

Despite government provisions for more childcare options, there is growing concern among some parents about the overuse of these "car park" style facilities for children. Apoya a la Crianza is an organised movement for  parents who want better legislation that supports family life.

With member groups including, Associació Quetzal, Crianza Compartida,Grup GEMMA, Grup Marató amb Nadó, Red LasMujeres Cuentan, and the magazines “Viure en Familia” and “Crianza Natural”, the movement provides a platform for parents demanding more family-orientated policies. As well as public spending to support families, they ask that companies provide better working hours in the belief is that children have a right to be cared for by their own parents.

 Meanwhile, the Ajuntament is on track to complete the provision of 30,000 new places in public nurseries or "guarderias" throughoutCatalunya.  The plan to double the availablity of pre-school places hasbeen in action since 2004.  This year, the local governments will reach their targets with almost 60,000 places soon availble inpublic kindergartens across 425 municipalities in Catalunya.

Further information on Minuts Menuts from the Generalitat (Catalan)

Parents' petition for better family policies Apoya a la Crianza