The quality of primary schools

[Fluffy]

Hi everyone. We’re thinking about moving to Fuerteventura with our 2-year-old daughter. We know the island fairly well and are considering settling in Caleta or Costa Antigua.

To help her learn Spanish as quickly as possible, we’re looking into schooling starting in September 2027, when she’ll be 3. We’re considering the new public school in Caleta, but we’d be open to other options, including living elsewhere, if there are better schools.

Would anyone recommend good options? Also, are there any English-speaking classes in Caleta?

Thank you!

[Will]

At that age she'll likely learn the language quicker than you can blink.

The real questions you should be asking yourself is it a good idea to move? Do you have a job lined up? Lodging at a price you're willing to pay year round? If you aren't EU are you even allowed?

[La Oliva Tom]

What passport do you hold?

If a UK Passport, it will be very difficult to obtain a visa. You must start the process in the UK in either London or Edinburgh. Your daughter may well be 4 or 5 by the time you get it.

If a passport from an EU member country, you don't need a visa and could arrive tomorrow. But...... Do you have somewhere to live arranged? Can you afford year round rental? Do you have employment arranged?

Lots of things for you to consider first.

Good luck.

Tom n

[Captain Sensible]

Your daughter would soon learn Spanish at that age. School admission starts when children are 3 years old in the Infantile section of the school (it's like a nursery for children aged 3,4 and 5).

Children in Caleta/Costa Antigua can go to the school in Caleta which opened 2 years ago or go to Anttigua. Some parents also have children in El Matorral or Puerto del Rosario if they can get a place and it suits them.

[Fluffy]

Thank you all for your replies. Yes, I’m sure she’ll learn Spanish incredibly quickly at this age. Honestly, I’m more worried about her English in the future.

I also really appreciate the reality check. I think moving in is a good idea. We’re already spending almost six months a year on the island. But having multiple homes isn’t ideal for my daughter, and I expect that once she starts making friends, losing them repeatedly will be really hard on her. We simply need to settle down in one place.

We already own a small apartment and are considering selling it (not sure about the capital gain tax, though) and buying a bigger one once we move to the island. We have some savings and investments to cover our expenses for a few years. We work online and will lose some UK contracts, but I’m sure we’ll be able to find some in the EU instead.

The princess and me only have UK passports, but my wife has a European passport, so I believe all three of us will be treated as EU citizens.

We still have a lot to sort out. We need to sell our property here in the UK, then start looking into the paperwork needed, and possibly use some services to handle it for us.

I quite like the school in Caleta because it’s new, though I’m not sure about the bus picking up a three-year-old.