Directory · Family & ChildcareChildcare, nurseries & nannies in Thailand.
Early-years care for relocating families — nurseries, preschools and nannies, and how to judge safety, ratios and quality before you enrol.
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01What this is & why you'd need it
Families moving to Thailand with babies and young children need care before international school age — nurseries, daycare, bilingual preschools and live-in or daily nannies. Options range from small home-based nurseries to international preschools and agency-placed nannies. Because young children can't report problems themselves, the things that matter most are staff-to-child ratios, safety and hygiene, the carers' background, and how openly the setting communicates with parents. A short trial and an unannounced visit tell you far more than a glossy brochure.
02What to look for
- Staff-to-child ratios appropriate to the age group, and low staff turnover
- Visible safety and hygiene: secure access, clean spaces, clear sick-child and emergency policies
- Carer background, training and (for nannies) checkable references and a written agreement
- Open communication — daily updates, an open-door visiting policy, parents you can talk to
03Questions to ask before you commit
Q. What is the staff-to-child ratio for my child's age, and how long have the carers been here?
Q. What are your safety, hygiene, sick-child and emergency procedures?
Q. Can I do a trial session and visit unannounced during normal hours?
Q. For a nanny: what references, background and written terms (hours, duties, pay, time off) apply?
Red flags
Walk away if you see…
- Reluctance to let you visit during operating hours or observe a session
- Vague or clearly too-high child-to-carer ratios for very young children
- A nanny placed with no references, no ID check and no written agreement
- No clear sick-child, safeguarding or emergency policy
What it typically costs
Costs span a wide range — from affordable local home-based nurseries to premium international preschools, and from daily to live-in nannies — so treat any single figure as orientation only. Compare the all-in monthly cost including meals, deposits and registration, and weigh a nursery's structure and socialisation against the flexibility of a nanny for your family's situation.
Frequently asked
Nursery or a nanny?A nursery or preschool offers structure, socialisation and qualified staff but fixed hours; a nanny offers flexibility and one-to-one care in your home but depends entirely on that one person's reliability and references. Many families combine them, or start with a nanny for infants and move to a nursery as the child nears preschool age.
How do I judge a nursery is safe?Visit in person during normal hours — ideally more than once and unannounced. Look at the staff-to-child ratio, cleanliness, security of entrances, how warmly staff interact with children, and whether they have clear sick-child, safeguarding and emergency policies. Talk to current parents. A setting that welcomes visits and is transparent is a good sign; one that resists them is not.
When do kids start international school?International schools generally begin formal years from around age 3–5 depending on the school, with nurseries and preschools covering the years before. Our international schools directory and families guide cover choosing a school once your child reaches that stage.
Find the home to match
Line up your services, then explore areas and listings across Thailand.
General information only — not legal, financial, medical or tax advice. We never take paid placement. Verify any provider's credentials, fees and terms directly before committing.