Interview with Judith Whyte
What is your name, age and how long have you lived in Javea?
Judith Whyte 47 2y 3m
What nationality are you and your partner?
British
How many children do you have and what are their names and ages?
1 daughter Beccy 10
Do you work and if so what do you do?
I make celebration birthday cakes for various shops/expats etc. I had a career in Banking before I came here
What was your experience of relocating to Javea with children?
Worrying, exciting, depressing, nerve wrecking, great, fulfilling all of these feelings come to mind because you go through a series of emotions all the time!
How well intergrated would you say you and your children are?
Ok but could be better – it is very soul destroying when someone moves back to the UK and you have made what you think are good friends with them – children don’t understand that. We now have some European friends – all different nationalities which wouldn’t have happened in the UK
What language do you speak to your children?
English
What is your impression of childcare and education in Javea so far?
I don’t really have an experience of childcare here but I think the education my daughter is getting is second to none. She is way way ahead of where she would have been in the UK.
What school do your children go to?
The Firs, Costa Nova, Javea
Why did you choose this school and are you happy with your choice?
Because we wanted her to have choices when she reaches 16 – then we know we have done our best for her. I am very happy with the choice I just wish they spoke more Spanish.
Where you live, how good are the facilities for children (shops, resturants, activities etc?)
Javea – good facilities – could be more child activities, ie equivalent of Charlie Chalks –there are alot of activities for younger children but it would be nice if they had more for the older kids. The school offers after school activities like sports etc alot of other activities can be found via your local town hall but there is not a great deal of choice.
Are there any particular activities, groups, classes etc for children in Javea that you would recommend?
The Stage School – great for drama, and Valerie Jean Dance school
Are there any particular service providers (doctors, dentists, babysitters, tutors etc) for children that you would recommend?
Karen Marshall – Dentist in javea port.
What do you think are the main advantages and disadvantages of being a parent from the international community living in Javea?
The weather helps mostly – especially when it is good because everyone speaks to you and everyone smiles, no one is drab!
Loneliness is something you feel when there is no one who knows you really well.
Is there anything that you think would improve childrens lives living in Javea?
Brownies /guides and scouts/cubs
What couldn’t you live without in Javea?
My husband and daughter and friends. The occasional loaf of malt bread!!
What could you live without in Javea?
Iceland!
March 09
