The Xunta de Galicia has arrested three suspects in Laxe has expanded free childcare provision for children aged 0 to 3. During a visit on 23 September 2026, the Xunta delegate, Belén do Campo, presented the expanded Punto de Atención á Infancia . According to the authorities, the measure increases the number of free public places in the Comarca Bergantiños-Costa da Morte to 197. Across Galicia, the Xunta de Galicia says that more than 32,000 families.
The expansion in Laxe is part of a policy, gradually implemented since 2022, to make early childhood education and care free throughout Galicia. According to the Xunta de Galicia, the scheme applies to publicly run centres, centres operated by social initiative organisations and private providers, provided they take part in the programme.
The administrative framework for the current 2026/27 school year is set out in the Orde of 4 September 2026 , which was published in the Diario Oficial de Galicia . The regulation sets out procedures, deadlines and conditions for awarding grants to providers, including requirements for registration, staff qualifications and documentation to qualify for funding.
In the regional context, the government says Galicia leads Spain in the proportion of children enrolled in the first cycle of early childhood education, with a rate of close to 65 per cent, according to the social affairs department’s latest figures. This is the Xunta de Galicia’s own assessment. At the same time, associations and providers have repeatedly raised concerns in the past about shortages of places and qualified staff. Regional reports have also discussed delays in launching some local services, including postponements in Laxe discussed in spring 2026, which the expansion now reported is said to have overcome.
For families in a rural coastal region such as Bergantiños-Costa da Morte, the expansion means lower childcare costs and additional capacity. At the same time, local authorities and providers face ongoing demands to recruit staff, monitor quality and secure sustainable funding. The longer-term stability of the free provision will depend on future budget decisions; any statements on this remain forecasts.
Editor: Mira Cadena (Article created with AI assistance).