September has arrived… and if you're an expat family in Spain, you may currently be surrounded by school bags, uniforms, stationery, water bottles and children asking where their shoes are. 😂

Whether this is your child's first year in Spanish education or you're an old hand at the Spanish school system, the back-to-school routine can be a little different from what you're used to.

And one of the biggest things to remember is:

🇪🇸 There isn't one single "back to school" date for the whole of Spain.

Education is managed by the autonomous communities, so dates vary depending on where you live.

For example, in Andalucía for 2026/27:

• 👶 First-cycle Infantil (0–3): 3 September 2026
• 🎒 Second-cycle Infantil & Primary: 10 September 2026
• 🏫 ESO, Bachillerato & FP: 15 September 2026

The exact calendar can also vary locally, so always check your own school and province. (Junta de Andalucía)

And if you're wondering why your friend's children started last week while yours don't start until next week — that's Spain! 😂

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👶 INFANTIL / NURSERY

If you're sending a baby or toddler to nursery for the first time, prepare yourself for a shopping list that can feel like you're packing for a week-long holiday.

But honestly, most of it makes perfect sense.

🍼 My nursery essentials

Depending on your nursery, you may be asked for:

• ☑️ Baby wipes
• ☑️ Nappies
• ☑️ Spare clothes
• ☑️ Water bottle
• ☑️ Milk/bottle
• ☑️ A small passport-size photograph
• ☑️ A family photograph
• ☑️ The required first-year book/workbook
• ☑️ A small breakfast/morning snack

And yes — babies need their snack too!

If your little one is around one year old, this might be something very simple such as:

• 🍌 Banana
• 🥣 Purée
• 🍎 Soft fruit
• 🥛 Yogurt
• 🥑 Another small age-appropriate snack

Obviously, follow your nursery's own rules and your child's normal eating routine.

Don't forget that babies can have very different eating requirements from older children, so it's worth asking the nursery exactly when they eat, what they provide and what you're expected to send in.

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👕 THE ONE THING I WOULD TELL EVERY PARENT…

LABEL. ABSOLUTELY. EVERYTHING. 😂

Seriously.

• Label the clothes.
• Label the uniform.
• Label the jumpers.
• Label the coats.
• Label the shoes if you can.
• Label the water bottle.
• Label the school bag.
• Label the lunch box.

And especially label the spare clothes you send to nursery.

Babies and toddlers change clothes constantly. Something gets covered in food, water, paint, mud or whatever adventure they've been having that day.

The clothes come off.

They go into a pile.

And suddenly you have six identical little white T-shirts and nobody knows whose is whose. 😂

A simple name label can save you from constantly losing things.

And this doesn't stop at nursery.

👕 Label ALL school uniforms.

Especially jumpers, PE kits, coats and sports clothing.

Children are very good at coming home with somebody else's jumper.

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🎒 PRIMARY SCHOOL

Once your children reach Primary, things generally become a little easier.

Many schools provide or organise a lot of the basic educational materials, depending on the school and the year group.

But I still like to send my children in prepared.

✏️ My Primary School basics

• ☑️ Pencil case
• ☑️ Pencils
• ☑️ Pens
• ☑️ Rubber
• ☑️ Pencil sharpener
• ☑️ Ruler
• ☑️ Colouring pencils/pens if requested
• ☑️ Water bottle
• ☑️ School bag
• ☑️ Small breakfast snack
• ☑️ PE kit if required

And again…

🏷️ LABEL EVERYTHING!

Uniforms, PE clothes, jackets, jumpers, water bottles and bags.

You'd be amazed how quickly a school jumper can disappear.

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📚 WHAT ABOUT SCHOOL BOOKS?

This is one of the questions I get asked most by expat parents.

Don't panic-buy.

If your child is starting at a new school, you'll normally receive information about which books and materials are required.

If your child is already at the school, you may already have received your list.

Then it's off to the papelería — your local stationery shop — to get everything sorted.

Some families order online, while others prefer the local papelería, particularly because they are used to dealing with the school's specific book lists.

And here's something important…

If a book is out of stock, don't panic.

Schools know that families can be waiting for books to arrive.

In many cases, children can share or use school copies temporarily while everyone gets organised.

So don't spend your first night frantically driving around Spain looking for one missing maths book. 😂

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🏫 SECONDARY SCHOOL / ESO

Welcome to the stage where the school bag suddenly weighs approximately the same as a small child. 😂

If your child is starting secondary school, I would get the basic stationery sorted before they begin.

✏️ My Secondary School essentials

• ☑️ New pencil case
• ☑️ Pens
• ☑️ Pencils
• ☑️ Rubber
• ☑️ Pencil sharpener
• ☑️ Ruler
• ☑️ Geometry set
• ☑️ Highlighters
• ☑️ Binder/folder
• ☑️ Squared/graph maths paper
• ☑️ Notebooks or paper as required
• ☑️ Water bottle
• ☑️ School bag
• ☑️ Breakfast snack

You don't necessarily need to buy every single textbook immediately.

In many schools, books are reused, loaned or supplied through the school's own system.

If your child needs something specific, the school will normally give you a list.

Again, the local papelería becomes your best friend!

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🥪 DON'T FORGET THE MORNING SNACK

This is something that can catch new expat parents out.

Your child may have breakfast at home, but that doesn't necessarily mean they won't need something for the school break.

I normally send my children with a small morning snack.

And yes — even if they use the comedor, they may still have a morning break and need a snack.

Think simple:

• 🍌 Fruit
• 🥪 Small sandwich
• 🍎 Apple
• 🥛 Yogurt
• 🥨 Crackers
• 🍓 Berries
• 🥑 Another suitable snack

Check your school's rules because some schools have restrictions around certain foods.

And, of course, water is your child's best friend in the Spanish heat.

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☀️ AND THIS YEAR… THINK ABOUT THE HEAT

September in Spain can still be VERY hot.

In fact, the start of the 2026/27 school year has been marked by unusually high temperatures, with concerns raised about classroom temperatures in some parts of Spain. (El País)

So make sure your children have:

• 💧 A good water bottle
• 🧢 A hat if their school permits/requires one
• 👟 Comfortable, breathable shoes
• 👕 Appropriate clothing

☀️ And check your school's own sun/heat rules.

For younger children especially, make sure spare clothing is suitable for warm weather.

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🎒 DON'T OVERLOAD THEIR BACKPACK

Another easy mistake is filling a school bag with absolutely everything "just in case."

Don't.

If the school doesn't require it, leave it at home.

Health guidance published this week in Andalucía recommends keeping children's backpacks to around 10–20% of their body weight, using both straps and choosing a bag appropriate for the child's size. (Cadena SER)

And make sure their shoes fit properly too.

Don't buy shoes two sizes too big because "they'll grow into them."

Your child's feet will thank you!

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🕘 WHAT TIME DOES SCHOOL START?

This is where you need to check your individual school.

There isn't one universal timetable across Spain.

Schools can have different arrangements for:

• Normal school hours
• Aula matinal
• Comedor
• School transport
• Afternoon activities
• Extra-curricular activities
• Collection times
• Break times

For example, in Andalucía, schools can offer aula matinal from 7:30am, while first-cycle Infantil centres generally have opening hours from 7:30am to 5:00pm. That doesn't mean your child's actual lesson begins at 7:30am — it refers to the available service/opening arrangements. (Junta de Andalucía)

So don't rely on another parent's timetable.

Check YOUR school website.

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🚌 BEFORE THE FIRST DAY, CHECK THESE 10 THINGS

If you've just moved to Spain or your child is starting a new school, save yourself the stress and check:

1. 📅 Start date
2. ⏰ School hours
3. 🚌 School bus timetable
4. 🍽️ Comedor arrangements
5. 📚 Book list
6. ✏️ Stationery list
7. 👕 Uniform requirements
8. 🏃 PE kit
9. 📱 School communication app
10. 📄 Any forms or documents you need to return

The school website will often contain far more information than parents realise.

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📱 THE SCHOOL APP

If you're new to Spanish schools, you may also find that a lot of communication happens digitally.

You could receive:

• 📢 School announcements
• 📅 Events
• 📚 Homework
• 📝 Messages from teachers
• 🍽️ Comedor information
• 🚌 Transport updates
• 📄 Important notices

So make sure you've downloaded whatever communication platform your school uses and that your contact details are correct.

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🧾 KEEP YOUR PAPERWORK

One more little tip for expat parents:

Keep a folder — physical or digital — containing important school information.

Things like:

• 📄 School enrolment documents
• 🪪 Identification documents
• 💉 Relevant health/vaccination information where requested
• 📚 Book lists
• 🚌 Transport information
• 🍽️ Comedor information
• 📅 School calendar
• 📞 Emergency contacts

You'll be amazed how often you suddenly need something you thought you'd never need again!

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💶 AND DON'T FORGET THE COSTS

Back-to-school can get expensive very quickly.

For 2026/27, the OCU estimates average annual school-related spending in Spain at around €2,484 per child, although the figure varies enormously depending on whether the school is public, concertado or private and on expenses such as comedor, books, uniforms, activities and transport. (Cadena SER)

So before buying everything brand new, check:

• What does the school provide?
• What can be reused?
• What can be bought second-hand?
• Are there book-lending schemes?
• Are there regional deductions or financial assistance available?

Some autonomous communities offer tax deductions or support for education-related costs, so keep your receipts. (Cadena SER)

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❤️ THE REAL SECRET TO A STRESS-FREE FIRST DAY

Get everything ready the night before.

• 🎒 Bags packed.
• 👕 Uniforms laid out.
• 👟 Shoes ready.
• 🍌 Snacks prepared.
• 💧 Water bottles filled.
• 📚 Books checked.
• 🚌 Bus times confirmed.
• ⏰ Alarm set.

And most importantly…

Don't forget to label everything! 😂

Because there is nothing worse than making it through the first day thinking you've absolutely smashed it, only for your child to come home without their jumper.

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🇪🇸 WELCOME BACK TO SCHOOL!

Whether you've got a tiny baby starting nursery, a child entering Primary, or a teenager beginning ESO, the first few weeks can feel like organised chaos.

But once you understand your school's routine, it becomes much easier.

And if you're an expat parent, remember:

You don't have to figure everything out at once.

Your school will normally provide the information you need — and if you're unsure, ask.

• Check the school's website.
• Check the regional education website.
• Speak to other parents.

And give yourself a little time to get used to how things work.

Because before you know it, you'll be the experienced parent explaining the system to someone else. ❤️

🎒 Here's to another school year in Spain!

Good luck, parents. We've got this! 🇪🇸☀️📚