Interview with Michelle Challis
1. What is your name, age and how long have you lived in Javea?
My name is Michelle Challis and I am 37 years old. I have lived in Javea 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 4 children - they are Jessica aged 12 years, Daniel aged 10 years, Jasmine aged 7 years and Sophie aged 4 years. 3 of my children were born in the UK and Sophie was born here in Spain.
4. Do you work and if so what do you do?
I own my own business - I have a second hand shop selling baby equipment and clothing for babies and children aged upto 13 years. I also have a rentals business hiring out baby equipment to holiday makers and grandparents as well bouncy castles for special events such as birthday parties, communions etc.
5. What was your experience of having a baby in Spain?
Excellent. The Spanish medical system is excellent. When I went into labour I was taken to a room and put onto a monitor to test the strength of my contractions. I was then taken into another room for an examination and then taken to the delivery room. I wasn't offered any drugs but didn't mind as my labours are always short. I think you can have assess to certain medications if you ask. Once Sophie was born I was taken to the ward - only 2 in the room. The only draw back was that I had to stay in the hospital for 2 days and 2 nights - thats the law over here. I was looked after very well though - the baby was taken from me every morning and washed and dressed .. all nappies and clothing for me and the baby were provided for by the hospital. They are very big on breatfeeding here but I did not want to breastfeed so had a little bit of a battle on my hands to get hold of formula milk. The after care isn't so good though - once you have been discharged it is down to you to get to the medical centre for you and baby to be checked - no visits from midwives over here.
6. What was your experience of relocating to Javea with children?
I actually found it easier than expected. We seemed to adjust to Spanish life very quickly. We had previously bought our villa before moving into it and the children had all seen the villa before we moved and had chosen their bedrooms so they knew what to expect. We spent the first month in the swimming pool (we moved in August) and generally relaxing until the children started their new Spanish school in September.
7. What was the main reason you chose to live in Spain over the UK?
I love the sea - the beach - the clean air and the freedom. The weather is another factor as well as the outside living - none of that can really be done in the UK for many months of the year. The children are welcome in bars and restuarants whatever time of the day or night.
8. How well intergrated would you say you and your children are?
We are fully intergrated .. the chidlren all go to Spanish school and are totally fluent in Spanish and Valencian (the local lingo) - even my 4 year old can speak Spanish really well. My children always have Spanish friends round to play and I have coffee with Spanish mums .. good to practise my spanish.
9. What language do you speak to your children?
We speak english to the children because they spend all day in school speaking Spanish and although we live in Spain we are and always will be English.
10. What is your impression of childcare and education in Javea so far?
Again - excellent. So far I have had no problems with both the childcare and the education system. There is a choice of Spanish or english nurseries here in Javea and also spanish or international schools - 3 in Javea or around the area to be exact. Because we intend to stay here in Spain it was important for me to choose the spanish system.
11. What school do your children go to?
They go to a small village school called Trenc D'Alba. They only have 13-20 children in each class so the education is excellent.
12. Why did you choose this school and are you happy with your choice?
I am really happy with the school - it has been a brilliant school for the children to get intergrated with the spanish. Not many english children go there so they have had to learn the spanish language and the spanish ways. Their reports are all very good and the teachers are very organised. They have a very casual approach to teaching but some how it works. The teachers wear jeans and t-shirts to school and the children are able to call them by their first names - not a normal thing in an english school.
13. What are your feelings on State run schools over private?
I personally feel that if you are intending on living in Spain for a while than the spanish system is for you. Your children need to intergate with the spanish as well as the parents. The children need to learn spanish. If you are only here for a year or 2 than it is different depending on the age of the child. If the child is very young than for 1 or 2 years the spanish system would be good just as a new concept of teaching for them to experience. If they are much older than perhaps an international school would be better as to not interfer with their GCSE's. It's a personal choice and and one to be thought about very carefully.
14. Where you live, how good are the facilities for children (shops, resturants, activities etc?)
We live on a Montgo on the outskirts of Javea so to be honest there is nothing within walking distance. But a short car journey and you are in the heart of Javea with the beaches and shops, bars and restaurants. 20 minute drive is Benidorm and a new shopping centre has opened up in Ondara (about 15 mins drive) full of nice clothes shops and a cinema and bowling alley.
15. Are there any particular activities, groups, classes etc for children in Javea that you would recommend?
Jasmine (7 years) goes dancing - she does ballet and tap dancing and is in many shows. The dancing school is called the Valerie Jean School of Dance and I would recommend this to anyone with children who want to learn to dance. Daniel does football with the FC Amigos and Jessica goes to Stage School in Benitixell. I purposely choose english activities so that they interact with the english out here as well as the spanish.
16. Are there any particular service providers (doctors, dentists, babysitters, tutors etc) for children that you would recommend?
We just use the spanish medical centre in Javea which for us has been excellent. We have had our fair share of cuts and bruises - Jasmine split her head open one year and my son burnt his finger quite badly - the emergency system is get and no waiting around!!!!! Dentists - not good on dentists I'm afraid but have been to one or two. I know many ladies who have worked for me who I recommend for babysitting duties and the customers have been very pleased with them. I haven't needed to use tutors so far as the system has been fine for us so can't really recommend any.
17. What do you think are the main advantages and disadvantages of being a parent from the international community living in Javea?
There are many advantages - your children are bi-lingual for a start! The clean living - the air does seem so much cleaner here to me. The outside living - fresh air every day. The beaches and lovely fishing port - my son goes fishing almost every week-end - he loves it. The food is fresher and the people are friendly. I guess we miss our family sometimes and it takes a while to make friends but that is soon sorted with a trip home to the UK for a few weeks and a session on facebook to speak to your friends.
18. Is there anything that you think would improve childrens lives living in Javea?
I think for the older children - over 13 years we could do with a youth club or offer other activities that the older children are interested in. I have been trying to find a street dancing group for my son who loves twisting around on his head but so far haven't been able to find one.
19. What advice would you give anyone having a baby or thinking of relocating to Javea with children?
Go for it - but go with a open mind and be prepared to change your lifestyle as you can't really live the english way in Spain. Be friendly to people - try to learn some spanish before you come over so that you can communicate with the spanish - they do appreciate it.
20. What couldn’t you live without in Javea?
The sea and my beautiful mountain which I look at everyday when I look out of my kitchen window. Also a car - needed where we live.
19. What could you live without in Javea?
Possibly the silly siesta times in the shops - a little annoying when you need to get your shopping and they have closed. The times are usually 10-1 and then 4.30-8/9.
(July 2010)
