Teacher Training for Early Childhood Education Schools and Programs in Spain

Teacher Training for Early Childhood Education Studies in Spain

Early childhood teachers (maestros de Educación Infantil) work with children from birth to six years old. In Spain this is a regulated profession: according to the ministerial order that sets the requirements for the degree, the Education Act makes it a regulated profession that requires the corresponding official bachelor's degree (grado). The degree is offered by many public and private universities and by teacher training colleges attached to universities.

What you study

The order lists the skills every programme must cover. They include the early years curriculum and assessment, language development in early childhood, learning in multicultural and multilingual settings, basic nutrition and hygiene for young children, early intervention (atención temprana), the organisation of early years schools, and guiding parents on family education in the 0-6 period. The Universidad de Murcia describes the aim of its degree as training professionals in the education of children aged 0 to 6, especially in formal educational settings.

How the degree is organised

The bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education (grado en Maestro en Educación Infantil or grado en Educación Infantil) has 240 ECTS credits, normally over four years. No degree may use the name "Graduado en Educación Infantil" unless it meets the conditions of the order. Teaching practice (the Practicum) takes place in early years schools recognised as training centres, in person, supervised by university lecturers and by accredited early years teachers. Universities can add specialisations (menciones) of 30 to 60 ECTS credits.

Language is part of the requirements. By the end of the degree, students should reach level C1 in Spanish and, where it applies, in the region's other official language, plus B1 in a foreign language. This matters in regions such as Catalonia, Galicia, Valencia or the Basque Country. Some universities offer double degrees: the Universidad de Alcalá combines Early Childhood and Primary Education, and the Universidad de Vic offers Early Childhood Education with Primary Education and an English specialisation.

Admission and language

Students who finished secondary school outside Spain usually apply through UNEDasiss, the UNED service that assesses international students' academic records and runs the tests needed to enter a bachelor's degree. They then apply to each university within its own deadlines. As a reference, the Universidad de Murcia offers 140 first-year places, teaches the degree in Spanish and on campus, and had a cut-off mark of 9.592 for the 2025-26 academic year. At the Universidad de Alcalá the degree is taught in Spanish on the Guadalajara campus.

Where to study it in Spain

Our directory lists 38 schools for this subject. Madrid has the most, followed by Murcia, Valladolid, Vigo and Oviedo. Besides large public universities such as the Universidad Complutense de Madrid, the Universidad de Salamanca, the Universidad de Málaga or the Universidad de Zaragoza, there are private universities such as the Universidad CEU San Pablo, the Universidad Europea de Madrid and the Universidad Pontificia Comillas. Several teacher training colleges focus on this field, including ESCUNI and CES Don Bosco in Madrid, the Escuela Universitaria Fray Luis de León in Valladolid, the Escuela Universitaria CEU de Magisterio in Vigo and Begoñako Andra Mari in Bilbao.

A vocational alternative

Vocational training (FP) offers a different route: the higher vocational qualification Técnico Superior en Educación Infantil, a 2,000-hour programme. According to the ministry's TodoFP portal, it leads to jobs such as early years educator in the first cycle of early childhood education (0-3). The Universidad de Alcalá recognises credits from vocational programmes towards its degree.

Recognition of foreign qualifications

Because early childhood teaching is regulated, a foreign teaching degree must be homologated to work as a maestro in Spain. The Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades lists "Maestro/a en Educación Infantil" among the professions eligible for homologation, which gives access to a regulated profession in Spain. Applications are made only online, through the ministry's electronic office.

Careers

The main path is teaching in early years settings, public or private. The Universidad de Alcalá adds early intervention, socio-educational projects, non-formal education and other services for children and families.

Frequently asked questions

How long does it take to become an early childhood teacher in Spain?

The official bachelor's degree has 240 ECTS credits and usually takes four years, including teaching practice in early years schools.

Can I work as an early childhood teacher in Spain with a foreign degree?

Only after homologation. Early childhood teaching is a regulated profession, and the ministry lists it among the professions eligible for homologation.

Do I need to speak a regional language?

The degree requirements set level C1 in Spanish and, where it applies, in the region's other official language, so universities in bilingual regions also teach and assess that language.

What is the difference between the degree and the FP qualification?

The university degree qualifies you as a maestro for the whole 0-6 stage. The Técnico Superior en Educación Infantil is a vocational qualification aimed at educator roles in the first cycle (0-3) and other services for young children.