Relocating to Spain is exciting, but if your child is starting school in Spanish or in a bilingual programme, it can feel like a big step for the whole family. Many parents worry about the language barrier, classroom routines, or how their child will manage subjects like Lengua and Matemáticas. And that’s completely normal.
The good news is that with the right preparation, children adapt far more quickly than we expect. A gentle, structured transition helps them feel confident, independent, and ready to enjoy their new school experience from day one. That is exactly what LAE Kids works on in our 3–6 month School Transition Programme, designed to make the leap into a Spanish-speaking classroom smoother for international families.
Below are simple, practical ways to prepare your child emotionally, academically and linguistically before starting school in Spain.
1. Focus on familiarity, not fluency
A common misconception among new families is that children must speak fluent Spanish before entering school. That is not necessary, and it is not realistic.
What matters most is familiarity: understanding classroom instructions, feeling comfortable participating in group activities, recognising school vocabulary, and being used to hearing and responding to Spanish.
In our programme, qualified primary teachers introduce children to the routines and concepts they will experience in Spanish or bilingual schools through games, hands-on activities and storytelling. This way, nothing feels unknown on the first day.
2. Build confidence with everyday Spanish
Children learn language most effectively when it is connected to real life. At LAE Kids, we use a play-based, immersive methodology that helps children link Spanish to actions, routines and games they already understand.
Simple ways to build this at home include:
- using short phrases in Spanish during everyday routines
- watching familiar cartoons in Spanish
- listening to Spanish children’s songs
- labelling objects around the house
- introducing simple classroom instructions in Spanish
These small steps help your child associate Spanish with fun and comfort.
3. Give extra support in Lengua and Matemáticas
These subjects are often the biggest worry for international children and parents. They are language-heavy, fast-paced and central in Spanish schools.
The School Transition Programme gives extra focus to Lengua and Matemáticas, helping children feel more confident in these areas through playful, age-appropriate activities. We build early literacy and numeracy skills by weaving them into games, projects and hands-on tasks so that learning feels natural instead of intimidating.
4. Practise the skills that matter most during the first weeks
Starting school in Spain involves emotional and social transitions as much as linguistic ones.
The first few months go more smoothly when children feel confident doing things like following instructions in Spanish, joining group activities, expressing needs, staying curious and working both independently and with others. These school-ready skills are intentionally built into every part of our transition lessons.
Our goal is not instant bilingualism but confidence, curiosity and a positive attitude toward learning in Spanish.
5. Keep communication open
The transition into a new educational system can feel unclear for parents, especially in another language. At LAE Kids, you are never left wondering how your child is doing. The programme includes ongoing feedback and open communication, so you always understand their progress and where they are growing in confidence.
Families tell us this is one of the biggest supports during the transition.
6. Choose an environment where your child feels safe and seen
Successful transitions happen when children feel supported and understood.
LAE Kids creates a nurturing, positive environment where children feel comfortable exploring, taking risks, and learning through play. Our teachers are specialist primary educators who understand how young children learn best through movement, creativity, and emotional connection.
When children feel safe, learning becomes natural.
How LAE Kids can help your family settle into life in Spain
Our 3–6 month School Transition Programme is ideal for families moving to Madrid or Spain, for children entering Spanish or bilingual schools for the first time, and for parents who want a smoother start to the school year. It is especially helpful for children who need support in Lengua and Matemáticas or who would benefit from a personalised, play-based introduction to Spanish schooling.
The programme includes:
- a parent meeting and personalised transition plan
- 2 hours per day, 3 or more days per week
- specialist support in key subjects
- play-based Spanish immersion
- ongoing feedback and communication
If your family is relocating to Madrid or preparing for school in Spain, this programme gives your child the emotional, academic and linguistic foundation they need to thrive.
Ready to support your child’s transition into a Spanish school?
You can book your first parent meeting with our School Manager and Director of Studies. See our School Transition course page for more info.
