Interview with Caire Collier
What is your name, age and how long have you lived in Javea?
Claire Collier, age 35, lived in Javea for 8 months.
What nationality are you and your partner?
British
How many children do you have and what are their names and ages?
Holly aged 18 months
Do you work and if so what do you do?
I dont work at the moment, Im an at home mummy!
What was your experience of relocating to Javea with children?
It was quite a hard decsion. My husband and I both have large families so it was very difficult to leave them in the UK but we have had a few visitors since we have been here! My husband works in IT so is able to work from home so we didnt have the added pressure to find a job here which made it a lot easier. Hollie is at an age where she can adapt quite easerly and is enjoying having the beach close by!
How well intergrated would you say you and your children are?
Not very well integrated at the moment, neither of us speak Spanish but I would love to learn and eventually put Hollie into a Spanish nursery to help her pick up the language.
What language do you speak to your children?
English
What is your impression of childcare and education in Javea so far?
We are really enjoying it here, there is still a lot we are finding out about, we have looked into a few English schools here and the education system seems fantastic. I have also found a lovely creche called Little Angels which has been great to get me out of the house and meet some new friends.
What school do your children go to?
We have looked into possible nurseries here for Hollie when she is abit older. We very much like The Firs and Rainbow Nursery. They both have great facitities although I would also like to look at some Spanish nurseries as well.
Where you live, how good are the facilities for children (shops, resturants, activities etc?)
There are loads of great resturants in Javea that are really friendly and welcome children, one of our favourites is the Austrian Wein along the Arenel they do a great paella! I am still finding my feet abit at the moment in regards to activities for Hollie. The shops could be abit better I think but I still getting used to everything being closed for siesta!
Are there any particular activities, groups, classes etc for children in Javea that you would recommend?
The Firs toddler group on a monday afternoon. Its a great way to meet new freinds.
What do you think are the main advantages and disadvantages of being a parent from the international community living in Javea?
The main disadvantage I think would be the language barrier, although most people speak English it would definatley help to speak a little Spanish too, I think the Spanish like it when you have a try even if you get it wrong! The main advantages are that there seems to be a lot of other parents here who are in the same boat so its great sharing experiences and advice with each other.
Is there anything that you think would improve childrens lives living in Javea?
None that I can think of at the moment
What advice would you give anyone having a baby or thinking of relocating to Javea with children?
I would definateley do your research before you make the move and look into both English and Spanish schools. I would reccomend it to everyone, the lifestyle is so much better here especially for young families, if you have time before you move I would also reccomend a quick Spanish course too!
What couldn’t you live without in Javea?
The sun and T bags!
What could you live without in Javea?
Mosquitos!
Nov 09
