Nurseries, international kindergartens, daycare and nannies for babies and pre-schoolers — what each type costs, where the bilingual and English options cluster, how enrolment works, and what to check before you sign up. Fees are 2026 guide ranges in Thai baht (≈ THB 35–36 = USD 1).
Bangkok is one of Asia's easiest cities to raise young children as an expat: it has hundreds of nurseries, international kindergartens, bilingual pre-schools and affordable in-home nannies, spread across the same family-friendly districts where relocating parents tend to live. The choice is deep but the range in price and style is huge — from a THB 5,000-a-month local daycare to a THB 100,000+ premium international kindergarten. Below: the types of childcare and what each costs, where the English and bilingual options cluster, how enrolment and documents work, and what to look for on a visit. For ages 5–6 and up, continue with the Bangkok international schools guide, and for budgeting pair this with the Bangkok cost-of-living guide.
Four broad options cover almost every family. Many parents mix them — a nanny in the first year, then a nursery or kindergarten from around age two or three.
| Option | Typical ages | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Nursery / daycare (สถานรับเลี้ยงเด็ก) | A few months – 3 yrs | Full- or half-day care with feeding, naps and play-based activities. Best for working parents needing all-day cover; the most affordable structured option. |
| International kindergarten / pre-school | 1.5 – 6 yrs | Structured early-years programmes (often Montessori, Reggio Emilia or a British EYFS foundation), usually English-medium and feeding into an international primary school. |
| Bilingual / Thai kindergarten (อนุบาล) | 2 – 6 yrs | Thai anubaan schools, many now bilingual Thai–English or Thai–Chinese. Cheaper than international, with a more academic, teacher-led style. |
| Nanny / maid for childcare (พี่เลี้ยง) | Any age | A live-in or daily nanny (phi liang) or a maid who also minds children. Common and comparatively affordable; quality and English vary widely, so vet and reference-check carefully. |
Indicative monthly fees for 2026. Local Thai nurseries are by far the cheapest; premium international kindergartens rival junior-school tuition. Figures are a guide only.
| Type of care | Monthly fee (guide) |
|---|---|
| Local Thai nursery / daycare (full day) | THB 5,000–15,000 / month |
| Bilingual Thai–English kindergarten | THB 12,000–35,000 / month |
| Mid-range international pre-school | THB 30,000–70,000 / month |
| Premium international kindergarten (top brands) | THB 60,000–120,000+ / month |
| Full-time live-in nanny (phi liang) | THB 15,000–30,000 / month |
| Daily / part-time nanny | THB 400–700 / day |
Beyond the monthly fee, budget for a one-off registration fee, a refundable deposit to hold the place, plus uniforms, meals, the school bus and trips at the more structured pre-schools. Nanny costs rise for live-in arrangements, English fluency, or experience with newborns. Always request each provider's full current fee schedule before committing.
As with schools, Bangkok traffic makes distance matter, so most families choose a nursery close to home or work. The early-years options concentrate in a handful of expat-heavy districts:
| Area | What you'll find | Why families choose it |
|---|---|---|
| Central Sukhumvit (Soi 1–24, Asoke, Phrom Phong) | The densest cluster of international pre-schools and bilingual nurseries | BTS-connected and full of young expat families; most premium kindergartens and nursery brands have a branch here. |
| Thonglor & Ekkamai (Soi 55–63) | Boutique Montessori and Reggio pre-schools | The family-friendly 'yuppie' belt — leafy sois, cafés and small, design-led early-years schools. |
| Sathorn & Silom | International pre-schools tied to the business district | Handy for working parents in the CBD; several feeder pre-schools for central international schools. |
| Eastern Sukhumvit / Bang Na (Soi 101+) | Pre-schools attached to the big international campuses | Where the large British and IB schools sit, so their early-years and kindergarten sections cluster here too. |
| Ari & Phaya Thai | Bilingual and Thai kindergartens | A quieter, increasingly popular family area north of the centre with a mix of Thai and bilingual options. |
Use our Bangkok area guides to match a family-friendly neighbourhood — and its nurseries — to your budget and commute before you sign a lease.
Always tour in person and see the actual rooms, not just the reception. The things that matter most for under-fives:
| Check | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Staff-to-child ratio | Lower is better for under-3s — ask how many carers per child in each room. Small groups mean more attention and safer supervision. |
| Safety & hygiene | Secure entry, clean kitchens, a sick-child policy, first-aid-trained staff and CCTV. Ask to see the rooms, not just the lobby. |
| Curriculum & approach | Montessori and Reggio Emilia are play- and child-led; British EYFS is structured but still play-based; Thai anubaan is more academic. Match it to your child. |
| Language of instruction | English-medium, bilingual Thai–English, or Thai–Chinese. Decide how much Thai exposure you want at this age. |
| Hours & flexibility | Full-day vs half-day, term-time vs year-round, and whether they offer holiday cover — crucial for working parents. |
| Licensing | Reputable nurseries are registered (with the Department of Social Development and Welfare or the Ministry of Education). Ask about registration and staff qualifications. |
Thai and bilingual nurseries are far cheaper, immerse your child in Thai and tend to be more academic and teacher-led; they suit families staying long-term who want their child to grow up bilingual. International pre-schools cost several times more but deliver English-medium, play-based early years (Montessori, Reggio or EYFS) and a smooth path into an international primary school — the usual choice for families who may move on again. A nanny or childminding maid (phi liang) is a distinctively affordable Bangkok option: one-to-one home care from roughly THB 15,000–30,000 a month for live-in, ideal for babies and flexible hours, though English and training vary so reference-check carefully. Many families blend approaches as their child grows. For live-in help more broadly, see our guide to domestic helpers & maids in Thailand, and for the wider early-years picture the Thailand childcare & kindergartens overview.
Start by contacting shortlisted centres to check availability and book a visit — the most sought-after international pre-schools carry waitlists and open applications several months ahead, so apply early, especially for the youngest rooms. To enrol, expect to provide your child's passport and visa or entry stamp, birth certificate, immunisation and vaccination records, recent photos, and any previous report for older toddlers. You'll usually pay a registration fee and a refundable deposit to secure the place. International schools typically run an August-to-June calendar, while many Thai nurseries take enrolments year-round with more flexible full-day hours — confirm the calendar, daily hours and any holiday cover before you commit, then choose your home and area around the nursery and its run.
Primary and official sources are cited above. Government rules, fees and procedures in Thailand change over time and vary by office; always confirm current requirements with the relevant authority before relying on them. BAANLYY never takes paid placement in editorial content.
It varies enormously by type. A local Thai nursery or daycare runs roughly THB 5,000–15,000 a month; a bilingual Thai–English kindergarten around THB 12,000–35,000; a mid-range international pre-school THB 30,000–70,000; and premium international kindergartens THB 60,000–120,000+ a month, plus one-off registration and deposit fees. A full-time live-in nanny (phi liang) is typically THB 15,000–30,000 a month. Figures are 2026 guide ranges (≈ THB 35–36 = USD 1) — always confirm the current fee schedule with each provider.
Nurseries and daycare centres often take babies and toddlers from a few months up to about age 3. International kindergartens and pre-schools generally cover roughly 1.5 to 6 years (pre-K), after which children move into international or Thai primary school at around age 5–6. Availability for the youngest ages is tighter, so check each centre's minimum age.
Yes — Bangkok has a deep choice of English-medium international pre-schools and bilingual Thai–English (and some Thai–Chinese) kindergartens, concentrated around Sukhumvit, Thonglor–Ekkamai, Sathorn and the eastern suburbs. Many follow Montessori, Reggio Emilia or a British EYFS approach. If you want your child to pick up Thai too, a bilingual programme gives daily exposure while keeping English as the main language.
Contact the school to arrange a visit and check availability, then submit an application with your child's passport and visa/entry stamp, birth certificate, immunisation/vaccination records, recent photos and, for older toddlers, any previous report or portfolio. You'll usually pay a registration fee and a refundable deposit to hold the place. Popular pre-schools have waitlists, so apply early — often several months ahead.
Both are common in Bangkok. A nanny or childminding maid (phi liang) offers one-to-one care in your home at a relatively low cost — ideal for babies, irregular hours or families who prefer home care — but quality, training and English vary, so reference-check thoroughly. A nursery or kindergarten offers structured learning, socialisation with other children and licensed oversight. Many families combine the two: a nanny for the early months, then a pre-school from around age 2–3.
It depends on the type. International pre-schools usually follow an August-to-June academic year with term breaks, while many Thai nurseries and daycare centres run year-round and offer longer, more flexible full-day hours that suit working parents. Some centres provide holiday-camp cover during school breaks. Confirm the calendar, daily hours and any holiday care before you commit — it often matters more than the headline fee.
This guide is general information for relocation planning, not childcare, medical or financial advice. Fees, ages served, curricula, licensing and enrolment rules change — confirm current details directly with each nursery, kindergarten or agency.
Childcare shortlisted — now line up big-kid schooling, match a family-friendly area and condo to your budget, and sort healthcare.
Hero photo by Pavel Danilyuk on Pexels.