Yes I agree, I want them to make friends and learn the language. We've already bought some books and a course with cd to start learning now and have been doing some.

I think I'll start moving dinner later, or try to, soon so they get used to it. Maybe an hour later for now and see how we get on.

compulsory school does not start till 6 ages 4 & 5 they are at the school if you want and it is called "preschool" games colouring etc no formal reading till 6. The hours are usualy 9 -12 and 3 -5 they can stay for lunch if available but I found it too long a day for my little ones so brought them home and would often not return them for the later session. All this needs careful consideration for choosing where to live. We bought a terraced house on an urbanization with loads of spanish families and my 3 yr old would visit the houses of her friends down the road and play till very late, the grannys all sit with the little ones!! my 5 yr old went to the local school 15 mins walk away or short drive.

I think though even if its not compulsary its advisable for us Brits to send kids to school at the earliest point to enhance their ability at school, then also I expect there will be less chance of them being held back a year - but thats just my opinion

as well as Spanish (if you come to this area) they will be learning valenciano and depending on the school they go to valenciano will be their main language

there are plenty of book shops in gandia where you will be able to get dictionaries to help

I think I'd try the one session a day for my older son first and my daughter is 6 in Feb so she'd be going full time. Do any schools have Spanish as the main language? It might be a bit much for them learning two languages at the same time.

Im not sure if you get a choice, the way I understand it is they are either at school and go the whole day or not at all but might depend on the school

even in schools where lessons are taught in castellano they still have to learn valenciano to a good enough standard for exams and to pass up each year of school

in Gandia I know there are schools that have both streams and you can choose which to put your children in - think the school there are quite hard to get into and there are waiting lists

the school in Palma/Ador is Valenciano

Santa Ana in Villalonga, semi private - thats Castelleno

the other private school I drove past today - Las Colinas, its on the main CV60 going towards Gandia - think thats Castelleno too

I wouldnt worry about them learning 2 languages, they are so young they will pick them up in no time - theres me being all brave, but when we first came I cried everyday taking our son to school, worrying what he was going through, his teacher didnt speak a word of English so he just had to pick it up and in 6 months he had friends and was understanding what was going on and of course in the English class he was the best (which gives them a boost too so they dont always feel they are lacking behind)

In our school there is a choice (providing there are spaces in the class) of castellano as the main language or valenciano

in practice they do about 60% of their time in the main one & 40% in the other

I was a bit worried too, about the two language thing, but it's amazing how they adapt, and my girls switch from one to the other with little trouble

they are both in the 'linea castellano', as I thought it more important for them to have this as their main language in case we choose to move to a different area of spain

yes I think if we had a choice we would do the same - but so far it doesnt appear to be harming ou son at all being able to speak both languages - so fingers crossed that will continue

any chance of a list of properties by-passing british agents.We would like to buy privately if possible

loquo tends to be of a one to one basis.

I can pm you with them, but not until you have posted over 4 posts