Madrid, June 11, 2026 – A public nursery school in the Vallehermoso district of Chamberí, Madrid, has been grappling with a persistent cockroach infestation since January, prompting growing alarm among parents and staff. The problem, initially minor, has escalated with rising temperatures, leading to what families describe as a “plague” with insects found in kitchens, bathrooms, and classrooms.
Cockroaches and Humidity: A Growing Concern
The first sightings of cockroaches at the Vallehermoso nursery school, which is managed by the Community of Madrid, occurred in late January. According to reports from Cadena SER and confirmed by this newspaper, the situation has worsened considerably, with staff regularly collecting dozens of insects. The infestation is reportedly linked to widespread humidity issues throughout the school, including in areas used by children and in the kitchens, which parents fear are fostering bacteria and insect proliferation.
Juan Peraita, vice-president of the parents’ association, recounted how humidity problems became noticeable across more areas, particularly the kitchen, by late January. “It was as if the school walls were falling apart,” he described. The cockroaches followed, and by April, with warmer weather, the problem became “unbearable.”
Repeated Calls for Help Go Unanswered
In April, families sent a written request to the territorial area of the Ministry of Education, seeking an urgent inspection and preventative measures. Their concerns, however, were dismissed, with officials stating that it was not within the parents’ remit to raise such complaints; rather, it was the responsibility of the school’s management. The management, it turns out, had already contacted the Ministry a month prior and has continued to do so without success, requesting technical personnel to inspect the facilities.
Despite four visits from a pest control company to fumigate the premises, the cockroaches persist. Professionals informed the school that as long as the humidity in the walls and ceilings remains, effective disinfection is impossible. “Either the school is evacuated for a thorough and complete fumigation, or they will continue to multiply,” the parents’ letter to the Ministry stated.
Official Response and Parental Frustration
A spokesperson for the Ministry of Education indicated that technicians “are working to solve the incident related to humidity in the manhole [small underground tank]” and that the management “is taking all measures to guarantee the safety and health of students and educators.” However, the spokesperson did not clarify why action had not been taken sooner or what responses had been given to the school’s direct requests for help.
The official response to the parents’ complaint was that it is not the responsibility of the educational community members to make requests regarding infrastructure improvements or school operations to the Administration, but rather the school’s management. This has left families feeling neglected by the Community of Madrid, especially given the health risks posed by humidity and insects to children aged 0 to 3 and staff.
In light of the ongoing inaction, parents have decided to individually file complaints with the Ministry of Health through the Community’s online channels.
Political Intervention and Future Concerns
The issue is set to be discussed at the ordinary plenary session of the Chamberí District Board this Thursday. Más Madrid has registered an urgent motion to urge the Ministry of Education to act swiftly to eliminate the humidity and insects at the Vallehermoso nursery school.
Councillor Sara Ladra, who visited the center on Wednesday, criticized the Community for “passing the buck” and “sidestepping responsibility.” She highlighted the severity of the situation: “Cockroaches in a school with babies, on the floor where they crawl, in food containers. And this is happening in the heart of Madrid, in the 21st century, in a building of the Community of Madrid that the PP has completely abandoned.”
Parents remain concerned that the problem will not be resolved over the summer, leading to a recurrence in September. “If they tell us in July not to bring them to solve this, we will manage, because parents, teachers, and management all want it resolved,” said Peraita, emphasizing the collective desire for a solution for the nearly 90 children attending the school daily.
