Interview with Donna Jefferys
1. What is your name, age and how long have you lived in Gata de Gorgos?
Donna Jefferys and I am 39 years old. I have lived in Gata for 8 years.
2. What nationality are you and your partner?
We are both English.
3. How many children do you have and what are their names and ages?
I have 2 children - they are Jonathan aged 12 years, Olivia aged 3 years.
4. Do you work and if so what do you do?
I am a housewife and I also work part time in a bar in Javea
5. What was your experience of having a baby in Spain?
My second child was born here in Spain, in Denia. The experience on the whole was ok. The lack of communication was the most stressful thing as neither me or my partner speak great Spanish. But on the whole I couldn't complain as the nurses and doctors did look after us very well. Although I would have like to discharged myself earlier. I had to stay in hospital for 2 days!!
6. What was your experience of relocating to Gata with children?
We moved to Gata de Gogos as my inlaws live here, so for us it wasn't so hard. Gata isn't the busiest of places but you do have Javea snd Denia close by. So it isn't that bad. Gata is typically Spanish with no expats so it can be hard. But you just have to make the effort. We plan on staying here for sometime so we are taking Spanish lessons to help us more with conversing with locals.
7. What was the main reason you chose to live in Spain over the UK?
For a better lifestyle. The weather, less crime. Having grandparents to babysit!!
8. How well intergrated would you say you and your children are?
My eldest plays alot of football with kids in the area, they are all Spanish. He has learnt alot from the kids here and by going to school here. My youngest has her playmates that are both Spanish and English.
9. What language do you speak to your children?
English
10. What is your impression of childcare and education in Gata so far?
The schools in Gata are pretty non existant. we send our son to an International school in Javea. My youngest child goes to regular toddler activities.
11. What school do your children go to?
My son goes to XIC in Javea
12. Why did you choose this school and are you happy with your choice?
The choices where we live are very small and we had heard good reviews on that school. I am happy with his education so far, but we will have to review this again soon, as we are not fully confident in the schooling beyond this age, over the UK
13. What are your feelings on State run schools over private?
I am not overly confident in the State run schools in my area as the are small, hence why we decided to send our son the an International school.
14. Where you live, how good are the facilities for children (shops, resturants, activities etc?)
There are quite alot of restuarants here but we tend to go into Javea for the shops, or Ondarra a shopping centre close by.
15. Are there any particular activities, groups, classes etc for children in Javea that you would recommend?
I take my daughter to a nice toddler group at the Lighthouse in Javea. It is noce to meet other mums and also for her to mix with little ones her own age.
16. Are there any particular service providers (doctors, dentists, babysitters, tutors etc) for children that you would recommend?
N/A
17. What do you think are the main advantages and disadvantages of being a parent from the international community living in Gata?
It is quite lonely sometimes as there aren't any English people to speak to, so you haev to travel abit to get this. The advantagse are the weather, having a better standard of life for my kids.
18. Is there anything that you think would improve childrens lives living in Gata?
More activities for expats and children
19. What advice would you give anyone having a baby or thinking of relocating to Gata with children?
Think of other areas around to move to as Gata isn't very Expat orientated
20. What couldn’t you live without in Gata?
My family
19. What could you live without in Gata?
Dog poo and more parks for kids..
July 2010
