Barcelona, the capital of Catalonia, blends Spain’s national early education framework with strong regional characteristics. Early childhood education (“Educació Infantil”) is divided into two cycles: 0–3 years and 3–6 years ([Reference 1]). The second cycle (ages 3–6) is free and universally available, with a curriculum emphasizing personal autonomy, communication skills, and cultural identity development ([Reference 2]).
Barcelona places strong emphasis on Catalan language immersion alongside Spanish, reflecting the region’s commitment to bilingualism. Public preschools (“Escoles Bressol”) often prioritize Catalan as the primary language of instruction ([Reference 3]).
Additionally, the city promotes innovative educational models, including project-based learning and outdoor education, and has invested in child-centered, inclusive environments to support emotional and cognitive growth.
As a kindergarten director, I find Barcelona’s model especially inspiring—showing how early education can simultaneously nurture linguistic richness, cultural identity, and a child’s independent spirit in a vibrant, inclusive setting.

References:

• [1] Generalitat de Catalunya: Educació Infantil Structure Overview

• [2] Spanish Ministry of Education and Vocational Training: Second Cycle Free Early Childhood Education Policy

• [3] Barcelona City Council: Language Policy in Early Childhood Education

カタルーニャ州の州都バルセロナは、スペイン全国の教育制度を基盤にしつつ、地域独自の特色を色濃く反映した幼児教育を展開しています。
幼児教育（Educació Infantil）は0～3歳と3～6歳の2つのサイクルに分かれており、3～6歳の第2サイクルは無償で広く提供されています。この段階では、自己管理能力、コミュニケーション力、文化的アイデンティティの育成が教育の柱となっています。
バルセロナでは、カタルーニャ語とスペイン語のバイリンガル教育が積極的に推進されており、特に公立の幼稚園（Escoles Bressol）ではカタルーニャ語を主言語として使用する方針が取られています。
また、プロジェクト型学習や屋外教育など、子ども主体の先進的な教育アプローチが導入されており、感情面と認知面の両方から子どもの成長を支える取り組みが進められています。
言語の豊かさと文化的誇り、そして自立心を同時に育むバルセロナの教育モデルは、幼児教育の新しい可能性を示していると感じます。

Madrid, Spain’s capital, reflects the country’s structured and increasingly accessible approach to early childhood education. Spain divides early education (“Educación Infantil”) into two stages: 0–3 years (first cycle) and 3–6 years (second cycle) ([Reference 1]). While the first cycle is optional and often fee-based, the second cycle is free and universally available ([Reference 2]).
In Madrid, public preschools (“escuelas infantiles”) and pre-primary classrooms attached to primary schools offer structured programs focusing on emotional development, language acquisition, and early mathematical reasoning, following the national curriculum under the “Ley Orgánica de Educación” (LOE/LOMLOE) ([Reference 3]).
Bilingual education (Spanish-English) is strongly promoted through the “Bilingual Education Program” implemented across many public schools. Additionally, special support is available for children with developmental needs, ensuring inclusive education.
As a kindergarten director, I find Madrid’s combination of structured early learning, linguistic immersion, and support for diverse learners to be a thoughtful and forward-looking model for early childhood education.

References:

• [1] Spanish Ministry of Education and Vocational Training: Overview of Early Childhood Education (Educación Infantil)

• [2] Comunidad de Madrid: Free Access to 2nd Cycle of Educación Infantil

• [3] Organic Law of Education (LOE/LOMLOE), Spanish Education Legal Framework