The Haurtxoko network in Irun has opened the pre-registration period for the 2026/27 academic year, offering a total of 336 places across five facilities. The main novelty is the opening of the new San Miguel Haurtxoko, located in the Emigración Building, providing a renovated and safe space for children.
This service, in addition to facilitating family work-life balance and organization, aims to foster the development of social, cultural, and artistic skills in children aged 4 to 11 through various activities, workshops, and excursions.
Sandra Caballero, the delegate for Education and Youth, highlighted that the core idea is "for children to have a place to discover new ways of expressing themselves, relating to others, and having fun." Through art, culture, and play, children can engage in different experiences and acquire tools for social interaction.
Caballero added that these spaces seek "for each child to feel supported, be themselves, and find a trusting environment to participate and enjoy." She also emphasized the importance of "closeness to the neighborhood and its people," to build bridges between generations and connect children with their local reality.
In addition to the regular Monday-to-Friday program, the academic year will include family-oriented activities such as the Familia Ta Lagun program and Saturday morning Creative Workshops.
The network comprises five Haurtxokos. As in previous years, each center will have three shifts: two for children aged 4 to 8 and one for those aged 9 to 11. The centers are: Haurtxoko Centro (Avenida de Gipuzkoa, 8), "Txikilab" Palmera Montero (c/ José Antonio Loidi Bizkarrondo, 12), Lapice (c/ Descarga, 17), Ventas (c/ Araba, 46), and the new San Miguel (Edificio Emigración - c/ Bartolomé de Urdinso, 2). The San Miguel center will offer 15 places per shift, while the others will have 24.
Notably, three places will be reserved specifically for children with special needs. Furthermore, the payment system implemented by the Irun City Council since 2025, based on user's economic capacity, will be applied.
Interested families can register their children until September 9th, either in person (SAC office, c/ San Marcial, 2) or online via the Electronic Headquarters (irun.org/sac) or self-service terminals. If demand exceeds the number of places, a lottery will be held on September 21st, with final registration from September 24th to 30th.
The Haurtxokos will be open from October 5th, 2026, to June 18th, 2027. Full information is available on the website irun.org/gazteartean.
To promote the service, a festival will be held on Saturday, September 5th, from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM, at both the Plaza del Ensanche and the Haurtxoko de Ventas, featuring various activities like games and face painting. The Haurtxokos will also host open house days on September 3rd, 4th, and 7th.
