Angeles de Cara
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Angeles de Cara
What is your name, age, where do you live and how long have you lived in Madrid?
Angeles de Cara, I´m 34 and we live just at the end of the Salamanca district. We are living here about a year now having lived abroad for 5 years
Do you work, and if so what do you do?
I´m a full time mum, but before that I was in academic research.
What nationality are you and your partner?
I´m Spanish and my partner is British.
How many children do you have and what are their names and ages?
We have a little girl, Sara, aged 2years and 2months
How did you find the process of relocating to Madrid with your children?
Not too bad as we were living with my family here while we looked for apartments.
How well integrated would you say you and your children are?
Fairly well integrated in both the Spanish and expat cultures
What language do you speak to your children?
Mostly Spanish, sometimes English
What has your impression been of childcare and education in Madrid so far?
Sara went to nursery when we lived in Edinburgh, but now as I am a stay at home mum we didn’t seriously consider putting her into nursery here, especially as the ratio of children to carer is much different, higher. In Edinburgh it was one carer to 3 or 4 children, here it is 1 to 8 for babies. I also have the impression that British nurseries are less regimented.How do you rate the amenities available for parents and children in Madrid?
Poor for the size of the city when compared to the likes of London where we also lived. For example there are fewer playgroups, in London we were spoiled for choice. Even the local libraries would hold singing and nursery rhyme sessions for very young children, whereas here the majority of libraries only open in the afternoons and the storytelling is aimed at older children.
Where you live, how good are facilities for children (shops, restaurants, activities etc)?
In terms of restaurants, we just go to Gino’s or Vips. I don’t find many restaurants to be child-friendly. Clothes are quite expensive in this area.
What do you think are the main advantages and disadvantages of being a parent from the International Community living in Madrid? Generally I find that people in the international community are more open-minded.
Is there anything you think would improve children’s lives in Madrid?
I think if there were more cultural centres running activities for young children in the mornings, or early afternoon it would be good
What advice would you give for anyone having a baby or thinking of relocating to Madrid with children?
Carefully consider the area you’ll move into, try to live near a park and in a school catchment area that gives you a choice of schools. Also, try to have at least basic Spanish as it will make finding a place much easier.
What couldn’t you live without in Madrid?
Sticky Fingers playgroup! Life would have been much harder without it. It gave me the opportunity to meet and form friendships with people in the same situation. As most Spanish children are in nursery it is difficult to meet up with local mums and kids before 4 or 5 in the afternoon.
What could you live without?!
Less traffic!
