The Regional Government grants subsidies to nursery schools for 2-3 year olds

The Regional Ministry of Education, Culture and Sports of the Regional Government of Castilla-La Mancha has resolved the direct granting of subsidies to local entities that own nursery schools providing the first cycle of Early Childhood Education to students aged 2 to 3 years, for the 2026/2027 academic year. The decision, signed on August 6, 2026, by the Regional Minister Amador Pastor Noheda, is published in the Official Gazette of Castilla-La Mancha number 162, dated August 25, 2026, in section III (Other provisions and acts), under the official reference [2026/6013].

The call for applications is framed within the regulatory bases approved by Decree 34/2024, of July 2, modified by Decree 41/2025, of May 20, and was opened through the Resolution of 05/21/2026 of the same regional ministry. The procedure is co-financed through the European Social Fund Plus Program of Castilla-La Mancha for the 2021-2027 period, and the final proposal was issued following the approval of the provisional resolution of the Vice-Ministry of Education, Universities and Research on July 3, 2026.

Beneficiaries and amounts

The resolution grants the subsidy to the local entities listed in Annex I, with the amount indicated in each case and under the terms of the call. The beneficiaries are city councils and provincial councils from the five provinces of the autonomous community, with amounts paid in two annual installments (2026 and 2027).

• Albacete: €435,750 (the highest amount), followed by Hellín (€274,750), Almansa (€213,500) and Villarrobledo (€199,500).
• Toledo: Toledo capital (€280,000), Illescas (€245,000) and Fuensalida (€105,000).
• Guadalajara: Azuqueca de Henares (€210,000) and Alovera (€112,000).
• Cuenca: Cuenca capital (€159,250) and Mota del Cuervo (€98,000).
• Ciudad Real: Herencia (€87,500), Consuegra (€87,500) and Miguelturra (€105,000).

Most municipalities receive an amount of €35,000, divided into €14,000 for 2026 and €21,000 for 2027, while higher amounts are adjusted according to the number of places and units in each school.

Regulatory framework and processing

The grant is awarded directly, in accordance with article 10.4 of Decree 34/2024, by virtue of the powers attributed by Decree 108/2023, of July 25, which establishes the organic structure and the distribution of competencies of the Regional Ministry of Education, Culture and Sports. The file has been previously audited by the Delegated Comptroller’s Office.

This resolution exhausts all administrative remedies. An appeal for judicial review may be filed before the Administrative Chamber of the High Court of Justice of Castilla-La Mancha within two months, or, optionally, a request for reconsideration may be filed before the head of the department within one month.

Impact on families and city councils

The direct grant allows city councils to maintain the public offering of places for ages 0-3, a key educational stage for family work-life balance and early schooling. As this is aid co-financed with European funds, its payment in two annual installments provides stability to the programming of municipal preschools throughout the 2026/2027 academic year.

With this resolution, the Regional Government consolidates its commitment to free education and the expansion of the first cycle of Early Childhood Education, easing the economic burden on local councils and guaranteeing accessible places for families in the region.

Source: Official Gazette of Castilla-La Mancha, no. 162, August 25, 2026, section III, page 30836 (official reference: 2026/6013).