2026-10-27
Nursery admissions for ages 0–3 in Palma 2027–2028: dates, points and how to apply for a place at a publicly funded private nursery
Are you looking for a nursery in Palma for your baby or your one- or two-year-old? If this is your first time applying for a nursery place, it is natural to have questions: when do applications open? How are points awarded? Are publicly funded private nurseries free? Can I choose more than one centre?
At Escoleta Koala, an early years education centre for children aged 0 to 3 in Palma's Son Castelló industrial estate, we want to guide you through the process step by step so you can confidently choose the best option for your family.
This guide covers the 2027–2028 school year, which begins in September 2027. As the official timetable has not yet been published, we use the previous year's dates and regulations as a reference.
1. When does the nursery admissions process start in Palma?
Although many families start looking for a nursery between January and March, the official application period usually opens in spring.
For the 2026–2027 school year, the Govern de les Illes Balears set the following timetable:
| Stage | 2026 dates for reference |
|---|---|
| Open days | February–March, depending on the centre |
| Application period | 13–21 April |
| Publication of provisional points scores | 15 May |
| Appeals | 18–20 May |
| Final admissions lists | 29 May |
| Enrolment confirmation | 1–12 June |
| Start of the new school year | September |
Important: these are the dates from the previous admissions round, not confirmed dates for 2027. The official timetable for the 2027–2028 school year will be published on the Balearic Government's nursery admissions website for ages 0–3.
Our advice is to start visiting nurseries between February and March, before submitting your application. Getting to know the centre, its educators and how they support children will help you make an informed decision.
2. What is a publicly funded private nursery, and what does free provision mean?
Mallorca has public, private and publicly funded private early years education centres.
Publicly funded private nurseries, known as escoletas concertadas, are authorised private centres that receive public funding to provide free core early years education, under the conditions set by the Conselleria d'Educació.
Since the 2023–2024 school year, funding in the Illes Balears has covered a minimum of four hours of core early years education per day for children aged 0 to 3 at centres in the public and complementary networks participating in the free provision scheme.
At Escoleta Koala, our free core hours are:
8:00 am to 12:00 noon, Monday to Friday, during the funded teaching period.
Free provision applies to all three age groups: babies aged 0–1, children aged 1–2 and children aged 2–3.
What happens after the four free hours?
One of the most common questions is whether children have to leave the nursery at 12:00 noon.
The answer is no, they do not. Families can book additional services to fit the nursery day around their work and personal needs.
For example, at Koala we offer extended hours before 8:00 am and after 12:00 noon, as well as a lunch service with home-cooked meals prepared on our premises.
These additional services have their own fees, which are communicated separately. Families do not have to book any additional services to access the four free hours of core early years education.
This means a family can choose just the free hours from 8:00 am to 12:00 noon, or extend the day according to their needs.
3. How does the points system for admission to a publicly funded private nursery work?
Places at public and publicly funded private nurseries are allocated using an official points system, also known as the admissions scoring framework.
Places are not allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, and you cannot reserve one directly with the centre. When there are more applications than available places, the criteria set by the Conselleria apply.
These are some of the main criteria used in the 2026–2027 admissions round:
| Criterion | Points |
|---|---|
| Having a sibling enrolled at the same centre | 8 points for the first sibling; up to 12 |
| Living or working in the centre's catchment area | Up to 5.5 points |
| Household income per person | 0 to 3 points |
| Official large-family status: general category | 1 point |
| Official large-family status: special category | 2 points |
| Single-parent family | 1 point |
| Child born as part of a multiple birth | 1 point |
| Mother, father or guardian employed at the centre | 2 points; up to 2.5 if both work there |
| Certain circumstances involving disability, foster care or vulnerability | Additional points depending on the circumstances |
Other specific criteria may also earn points. Centres may also apply certain criteria of their own, provided these are authorised and published in advance.
How many points do I get if I live or work in Palma?
For the first stage of early years education, Palma's catchment area generally covers the municipality of Palma.
The points awarded for your home address or workplace depend on how long you can prove you have lived or worked there:
- 2 points: less than one year living or working in the area.
- 4 points: one year or more, but less than two.
- 5.5 points: two years or more.
You can choose to have either your family home address or one parent's workplace assessed, but the two scores cannot be added together.
Example: I live outside Palma but work in Son Castelló
Imagine you live in Marratxí but have been working for a company on the Son Castelló industrial estate for three years.
If you provide the correct evidence of your workplace in Palma, you can receive the 5.5 points for the catchment area.
This is particularly useful for families who work in Son Castelló, Son Rossinyol, Can Valero or elsewhere in Palma, even if they live in a different municipality.
An important clarification: working right next to Koala does not earn more points than working elsewhere in the municipality of Palma. What counts is being within the catchment area and how long you have lived or worked there.
What if several families have the same number of points?
In the event of a tie, official tie-break criteria apply, giving priority to certain circumstances in the order set out in the regulations. If a tie remains, the public draw provided for in the procedure may be used.
You can check all the criteria on the official page for the admissions scoring framework for ages 0–3.
4. How do I apply for a place at a publicly funded private nursery in Palma?
Applications are made through the official admissions system of the Govern de les Illes Balears.
You only need to submit one application per child, listing up to ten education centres in order of preference, under the reference procedure.
The steps are as follows:
- Choose your nurseries. Visit the centres you are interested in, learn about their educational approaches and check which services they offer.
- Prepare your documents. Have your identification details, municipal residence registration, employment information and evidence supporting your points entitlement ready.
- Submit your application within the official application period. In the previous admissions round, applications could be submitted online using Cl@ve or GestIB identification, or through the designated in-person procedures.
- Check your provisional points score. Make sure all your circumstances have been taken into account.
- Check the final outcome. If you are offered a place, you will need to complete enrolment within the specified period.
If Escoleta Koala is your first choice, you must list it first on your application.
Tip: putting centres in the right order is important. Under the 2026 system, first preferences were allocated first, and the remaining choices were then considered according to the established procedure. Points were calculated with reference to the centre listed as the first choice.
5. What happens if my child is not offered a place?
Not receiving a place on the final admissions lists does not necessarily mean there are no further opportunities.
During the process, families may turn down places, change centres or new vacancies may arise. The system includes waiting lists and additional admissions procedures.
For the 2026–2027 school year, families who were not offered a place could remain on the waiting list for their first choice and, where applicable, take part in the procedures for allocating vacant places.
Applications can also be submitted outside the standard application period, subject to the conditions and timetables set by the admissions service.
If you are interested in Koala, you can contact our team to ask about availability and get guidance on the relevant official procedure.
6. Can I apply for a place if my baby has not been born yet?
In the 2026–2027 admissions round, applications were accepted for babies who had not yet been born, provided the requirements were met and the relevant supporting documents were submitted.
The allocation of a place and the child's actual start date were subject to the baby's birth and the minimum age requirements.
The reference regulations generally set a minimum age of 17 weeks for starting nursery, except where an exemption has been expressly authorised.
If you are expecting a baby and would like them to start nursery during the 2027–2028 school year, we recommend checking the conditions of the next admissions round.
7. How can I visit Escoleta Koala before applying for a place?
Choosing a nursery is an important decision. Beyond seeing the facilities, it is worth getting to know the people who will care for your child and what their daily routine will be like.
At Koala, we want families to feel welcome to explore our space, ask questions freely and discover how we work.
Our educational approach combines Montessori education with a family systems perspective, with a particular focus on independence, emotional bonds, emotional security and respect for each child's individual pace.
During your visit, you can see our classrooms, learn about our educational activities, meet our team and find out about the services available. You can also ask questions about opening hours, settling in, meals and admissions.
Where are we?
Escoleta Koala — Son Castelló industrial estate
Calle Setze de Juliol, 87, 2nd floor, Palma de Mallorca.
We are above the Volkswagen dealership, with access on the right-hand side and a lift.
Arrange a visit or get in touch with any questions:
We also hold open days before the admissions process begins. Dates for upcoming open days will be announced through our usual channels.
8. Other frequently asked questions about nursery admissions for ages 0–3 in Mallorca
Can I apply to more than one nursery?
Yes. In the 2026–2027 admissions round, families could list up to ten centres in order of preference on a single application.
Can I visit the nursery before the official admissions process opens?
Yes. In fact, we recommend it. A visit lets you get to know the centre and have your questions answered before choosing your preferences.
Do I need to live in Palma to apply for a place at Koala?
No. You can apply even if you live in another municipality. However, your home address or workplace affects the points you receive.
Is nursery education for children aged 0 to 3 compulsory?
No. The first stage of early years education is voluntary. Each family can decide when to begin, based on their own needs and those of their child.
Do the four free hours include meals?
No. Free provision covers core early years education and does not include meals. Lunch and extended hours are offered as additional services.
Does free provision also apply in July and August?
Standard funding for core early years education covers ten months. Summer services have separate conditions and fees, which you should check with the centre.
What happens if I am offered a place but do not complete enrolment?
You may lose the place. That is why it is important to check the final results and complete enrolment within the official deadlines.
Do I have to reapply every year if my child is already enrolled?
If your child stays at the same centre, their continued place is generally managed through internal progression and the relevant enrolment procedure. If you want to change centres, you should check the applicable admissions process.
Can I apply for a place once September has started?
Yes, this may be possible through the late application procedure, subject to available places and the relevant allocation rules.
9. Our advice: start by getting to know the nursery
Choosing a nursery is not just about securing a place. It is about finding somewhere your child feels safe, loved and supported, and where your family feels confident and at ease.
At Koala, we understand that every child develops at their own pace and that the relationship between the family and the nursery is key to a positive settling-in experience.
If you are thinking of enrolling your baby or child for September 2027, we would be delighted to meet you, show you around our nursery and support you throughout the process.
Contact Escoleta Koala to arrange your visit.
Information reviewed in October 2026. The regulations and dates mentioned relate to the 2026–2027 admissions round. The timetable, specific conditions and scoring framework for the 2027–2028 school year must be checked when the Conselleria d'Educació publishes the new admissions announcement. You can consult the official information on nursery admissions for ages 0–3 in the Illes Balears and the current regulations.