As Barcelona is a hotspot for expats, there are plenty of options available for English-speaking parents of small children.
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Nannies and Childcare
It is common for expats to have a nanny (usually live-out) or au pair (live-in) and there are a number of agencies available to help you, as well as private postings on sites like Kids in Barcelona. Nannies will cost between €7.50 an hour and €25, depending on your requirements.
Childcare centers are not always the norm for local parents (where both are working); more common in Spain is the practice of having the grandparents look after the little ones in the beginning. However, there are excellent guarderias (daycares) in Barcelona (you can seek out English speaking ones) where the average cost is about €100 per week for five hours per day, five days per week.
Nannies & Au Pairs
- ABC Families
http://www.abc-families.com/
Connecting families and Au Pairs - World Class Nannies
http://www.worldclassnannies.com/
Well reputed agency that offers nanny, au pair and babysitting services. - Tender Loving Canguros
http://www.tlcanguros.com/
A Barcelona-based multilingual service providing au pairs, nannies and babysitters.
Daycare Centers
- Little Land
http://www.littlelandbcn.com/0_2/INI/ini.cfm
Daycare in English, Catalan and Spanish - Tutor Kids
http://www.tutorkids.net
Daycare in English, Catalan and Spanish - The Playhouse
http://www.theplayhousebcn.net
Progressive daycare run by a British expat.
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Parent-Child Social Groups
Mum Abroad Spain
http://www.mumabroad.com/catalunya/Baby_and_Toddler_Groups_in_Barcelona-129
Provides great information on playgroups and mom and baby activities.
Mums meet at Mujer
For: Mums with babies
Location: Mujer (a relaxing restaurant/cafe)
Address: Calle Carders 28, el Born
Phone: 933151531
Time: Mondays 11am-1.30pm
Average numbers: Six mums and assorted babies
Cost: Pay for your own food and drinks
Breastfeeders welcome, toys for older babies
The Big Crawl – Mujer
For: Mums with toddlers
Location: Mujer (a relaxing restaurant/cafe)
Address: Calle Carders 28, el Born
Phone: 933151531
Time: Wednesday 5.30-6.30pm
Average Numbers: Six or so
Cost: Just your meal
Barcelona Women’s Network Mums & Toddler group
For: All women with children
Location: Casa Orlandai
Address: c/Jaume Piquet, 2. From the FGC Sarria stop, take c/Mare de Deu de Nuria
Contact: 932524262; mumsandtots@bcnwomensnetwork.com
Time: Every Wednesday 10am-1pm
Average Numbers: Ten mums
Cost: Free
Bcn Tots Mums and Babies group
For: English-speaking mums with babies and toddlers
Location: Varies – members take turns to host in their homes
Address: See above
Contact: BCNTots-managers@groups.msn.com
Time: Wednesday mornings from 10am
Average Numbers: Five to eight
Cost: Free (plus the cost of refreshments when its your turn).
