Our Story

Kids sitting on the floor watching a puppet show

Hopscotch began when our founder, Nuala, a full-time teacher and mother of three, saw a need for a nurturing, English-immersion preschool rooted in the spirit of the local community. What started as one teacher’s vision has grown into a place where children feel at home from the moment they arrive.

Today, we’re proud to welcome families from Sant Pere de Ribes, Sitges, and the wider Garraf region, offering a warm, nature-rich environment where every child is seen, supported, and celebrated.

Our Mission

To inspire lifelong curiosity through play-based learning, meaningful relationships, and a nurturing bilingual environment.

We create space for children to explore confidently, express themselves freely, and develop the social, emotional, and cognitive skills that set the foundation for a thriving future.

As a British Council-approved and inspected preschool, we uphold clear, trusted standards of early-years education while keeping our approach personal, hands-on, and community-focused.

A family-run preschool with a simple belief:
childhood should feel joyful, safe, and full of discovery.

Girl in hot pink rain poncho looking up at the sky

Curly haired boy with sunglasses looking from a hammock

Our Approach

English-immersion learning rooted in trust, joy, and real-world play
Strong family partnerships and open communication
Nature-led exploration in the beautiful Garraf surroundings
A gentle, child-centred rhythm that respects each child’s pace
A diverse teaching team bringing warmth, experience, and global perspective

Meet our director

Nuala McGuinness — Director

“As a full-time teacher and mother of three, I remember the leap of faith it took to send my children to nursery school. Would they feel genuinely cared for? Would they be happy, and feel nurtured and safe?”

That experience, along with 30 years of teaching, 25 of them in Barcelona shaped my understanding of what families truly need when they entrust us with their children.

Hopscotch was created from that belief: that early years education should feel both deeply nurturing and wonderfully inspiring. I’m proud to lead a small, family-run preschool where children are known, valued, and celebrated every day.”

Background:

BA (Hons) in Psychology
Postgraduate Certificate in Education
Diploma in Reflexology
Certificate in Aromatherapy
Former Head of Preschool, St Peter’s School
Former Teacher, The British School of Barcelona
Bilingual in English and Spanish

Meet our team

Vicky Berry

Our educators come from international teaching backgrounds and share a passion for creating meaningful, memorable early-learning experiences. We stay small so your child feels known—and you feel connected.