FIND THE RIGHT SCHOOL FOR YOUR CHILD
Navigating school options in Spain can feel overwhelming. Steps Into Spain provides expert guidance and personalised support to help your family find the right school in Madrid & Málaga with confidence.
Sinéad Galvin
Founder
Steps into Spain now offers personalised school search, admissions support, and relocation guidance for international families moving to Málaga and the Costa del Sol.
Leading our Málaga service is Nikko Hinderstein, an American who has lived in Spain since 2004 and been based in Málaga since 2017. As a mum herself, she understands first-hand what families need when settling into a new city and finding the right school for their child.
You cant go wrong with Steps into Spain. Sinead is a pleasure to work with and is knowledgeable, helpful prompt and kind.
You cant go wrong with Steps into Spain. Sinead is a pleasure to work with and is knowledgeable, helpful prompt and kind.
Jocelyn Bauer
Jocelyn Bauer
WHAT I DO
Personalised services to help you find the Right school for your child in Madrid and Málaga
Immigration, house search, appointments, paperwork and more
Summer camps, language classes, extracurricular activities, private tutors
Pricing Plan Packages
School Search, Family Relocation and Audit services in convenient packages. Whether you are relocating to or already living in Madrid or Málaga, we are here to help.
Our Royal Treatment package is the most popular because it gives families everything they need — personalised advice, full admissions support, and ongoing guidance until their child is successfully enrolled.
Ideal for families who want expert, one-to-one support in choosing the right school. We personally select three to four schools and accompany you on visits to share insights and honest advice.
Great for families who want school selection advice but prefer to handle enrolment independently. We'll choose two schools and provide detailed information.
Tailored for families applying to public or concertado schools outside regular deadlines. We’ll guide you through each step with clarity and calm, so you feel supported throughout the process.
Hourly services
Perfect for families needing guidance on a specific school-related question. Ideal when you don’t yet need a full school search but want expert clarity on one area or concern.
Strategic School Audit
Ideal for schools that need professional external assistance in increasing student enrolment numbers.
At Steps into Spain, we work closely with families to understand their priorities, practical realities and, most importantly, their child’s needs, so that every school recommendation is informed, realistic and tailored from the very beginning.
When you work with us, we take the time to get to know your family’s situation properly. If your child is old enough, we're always happy to include them at the appropriate stage of the process. Their voice matters, and involving them often helps make the transition smoother.
Together, we'll identify the school that best matches your child's needs, strengths and potential.
From the moment we begin working together, you’ll receive clear, unbiased advice tailored to your family’s specific needs. Every school we recommend is carefully selected with your family’s situation in mind — your practical realities, personal priorities and, above all, your child’s happiness.
Open, honest communication is at the heart of how Steps into Spain works. We’ll be there to answer your questions and guide you through every stage of the school admissions process, so you always feel informed, supported and confident in the decisions you make.
Together, we’ll find the right school in Madrid or Málaga where your child can truly thrive.
We take the time to properly understand your family’s situation, priorities and your child’s needs, so that any guidance we provide is genuinely tailored from the outset.
We help you understand how different school options work in real life, so you can make decisions based on genuine fit rather than assumptions or marketing.
We’ll prepare a carefully curated shortlist of schools for your chosen city (Madrid or Málaga), with availability confirmed, that truly reflects your child’s needs and your family’s priorities. Every recommendation is based solely on what best suits your situation—not a generic list.
If needed, we’ll also provide neighbourhood guidance to help you choose areas that align with your preferred schools, daily commute and family lifestyle.
If you’re visiting Madrid or Málaga before your move, we can arrange school visits and coordinate assessment dates for you. We’ll join you on visits to provide honest, independent insights, highlight what really matters and help you feel confident in every decision. Our goal is to make each visit meaningful and a positive step towards finding the right school for your child.
We’ll take care of all the practical steps—from school admissions forms and registration fees to managing communication with each school’s admissions team. You’ll have ongoing email and phone support throughout your school search journey, so you’ll always feel informed, reassured and supported, right through to your child’s first day.
SINÉAD GALVIN
Hello! My name is Sinéad Galvin, and I am the founder of the boutique education consultancy, Steps into Spain. I am also a very proud (and busy!) mum of three.
Since founding Steps into Spain in 2020, I have assisted over 500 families in finding the school in Madrid that best suits their child.
My experience teaching English in public schools in Madrid inspired me to set up Steps into Spain, allowing me to share my insights and knowledge with often bewildered families.
I have personally visited over 300 schools and counting, and I am always speaking to parents at these schools to get all the latest news and updates to share with my clients.
Finding the right school for your child is a fundamental part of a successful move. A happy child means a happy parent and I am here to ensure that this process is as seamless and stress-free as possible.
Steps into Spain Blog
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