Barcelona Mum

Zakia Ducos

What is your name, age and how long have you lived in Denia?
Zakia Ducos, lived in Denia for a year and a half

What nationality are you and your partner?
British

How many children do you have and what are their names and ages?
2 Children, Illyas 3 and Qasim is 5 years of age

Do you work and if so what do you do?
Primary school teacher at the Xabia International Primary School

What was your experience of relocating to Denia with children?
It was a great experience, the best thing we could have done. We moved just before christmas so it was a bit chaotic as you would expect! The children were young enough to adapt well to the move and have settled into spanish life really well.

How well integrated would you say you and your children are?
Fairly well, I speak spanish quite well and my husband is fluent so we try and speak both languages at home so the children can pick it up while they are young.

What language do you speak to your children?
Mainly English, some Spanish and some Bengali

Whit is your impression of childcare and education in Denia so far?
Very good, when we first moved here we sent the boys to a local spanish school to see how they would get on but after about 6 months we decided to move to the British education system as they were not settling into the spanish system very well and I also started working at the Xabia International School so it made sense to make the move.

What school do your children go to?
Xabia International college, Javea

Why did you choose this school and are you happy with your choice?
I work at the school as a teacher so both the children go to school here now and its fantastic!

Where you live, how good are the facilities for children?
Fantastic restaurants, great spanish tapas and local fish restaurants which are all so child friendly, there are also little parks within walking distance from where we live so there is little need to use the car so we tend to walk everywhere. The beach is fantastic and has a range of water sports in the summer, we also visit Denia castle quite a lot and take picnics there or watch the shows that they put on.

Are there any particular activities, groups, classes etc for children in Denia that you would recommend?
There is a mums and tots toddler group at the salvation army every wednesday morning and there used to be a music group held here aswell although that is no longer here but due to work commitments I dont really have time to attend any groups at the moment

Are there any particular service providers (doctors, dentists, babysitters, tutors etc) for children that you would recommend?
Doctor in Denia has always been very good.

What do you think are the main advantages and disadvantages of being a parent from the international community living in..Denia...?
We live in the centre of Denia so we are very much integrated with the spanish and spanish way of life which is fantastic so the main advantage would be that we are really integrating with the locals, changing our way of life and living a slower pace with much more family time together. The main disadvantage would be if you didnt speak the language but even if you know the basics to get by you will soon learn just by using the local shops etc to practise the spanish are always happy to help you.

Is there anything that you think would improve childrens lives living in Denia?
It would be nice to have a few more toddler groups or groups that do music and dancing there is alot more choice of things to do in Javea.

What advice would you give anyone having a baby or thinking of relocating to Denia with children?
Do a lot of research before you move particularly what you would de for a job or career, if you speak spanish you will have a definately have a much better advantage!

What couldn’t you live without in Denia?
The beach!

What could you live without in Denia?
Nothing!