Families across Andalucia are set to save thousands of euros a year after a major education shake-up was announced by regional president Juanma Moreno.

From the next school year, public nursery places will be free for children aged one – a major expansion of a policy that already covers two-year-olds.

The move could benefit up to 130,000 children aged one and two, with families saving as much as €240 per monthe per child, or up to €2,645 per year.

Moreno described the measure as a ‘major step forward’ in making education more accessible and easing the financial burden on households.

‘It’s a huge public service effort,’ he said, adding that Andalucia is moving towards a system that is ‘free from age one right through to university’.

The plan aims to help people save money and assist working parents balance jobs and childcare.

Officials also hope it will encourage more families to enrol their children earlier and even help address falling birth rates in the region.

Moreno admitted many families currently skip early education due to cost, saying: ‘There are still many who simply can’t afford it.’

The regional government now wants to dramatically increase enrolment, aiming to jump from 38,000 children currently in the system to 64,000 next year.

Across Andalucía, there are already more than 2,100 nursery centres offering early years education, including both public and subsidised private facilities.

Parents won’t have long to wait, as the enrolment process begins on April 1 and will remain open throughout the school year.

Moreno urged families to sign up, stressing that early education improves long-term academic performance and helps reduce school drop-out rates.

Read more Andalucia news at the Spanish Eye.