Catalonia private nurseries face crisis as closures increase

Private nursery schools in Catalonia are facing a significant crisis, with data indicating that one center closes every 15 days on average. Between the 2020-2021 and 2025-2026 academic years, the number of private nurseries dropped from 653 to 537, representing a loss of 116 centers.

Several factors contribute to these closures, including declining birth rates, the impact of COVID-19, rising rental costs, and the expansion of free two-year-old childcare in public nurseries. While the Generalitat provides full subsidies for two-year-olds in public schools, subsidies for private nurseries remain only partial.

Small, family-run nurseries are reportedly the most affected. Specific closures have been noted in Sabadell and Barcelona, with owners citing issues such as non-renewed rental contracts and declining enrollment numbers.