Canary Islands Government Expands Early Childhood Education Pilot Classrooms for 2025-2026

Overview

The Canary Islands government has authorized the continued expansion of pilot classrooms for the first cycle of Early Childhood Education (ages 0-3) for the 2025-2026 school year.

This initiative aims to:

• Increase access to high-quality, inclusive, and accessible public early childhood education.
• Focus especially on vulnerable children and underserved areas.
• Address the growing demand for early care amid declining birth rates.
• Promote educational equity across municipalities.

Implementation Details

• New classrooms will be established in select public centers.
• Existing classroom arrangements in certain schools will be modified.
• The expansion prioritizes areas lacking sufficient offer, including places where no public or private options currently exist or where existing capacity is inadequate.
• The initiative also involves adapting unused infrastructures for early childhood use, following legal guidelines to optimize resources.

Legal and Evaluation Framework

• This effort aligns with legal commitments to:
  • Progressively increase public early childhood places.
  • Promote integration of early education with other levels.
• The decision follows evaluations by regional education authorities and national educational agencies, ensuring quality standards are met.

Timeline and Readiness

• The scheduled start of activities depends on:
  • Completing necessary renovations.
  • Acquiring equipment.
• Schools will open once readiness is confirmed.

Commitment to Development and Equity

The move highlights the Canary Islands’ dedication to early childhood development and educational equity, aiming to serve all children from birth to age three.