From nurseries, daycare centers, and playgroups to au pairs and private babysitters, you can rest assured that there are a plethora of options to keep your young ones safe and entertained when you're not available if you have moved to Thailand with children. There is no mandatory preschool system, but some kindergartens are run by public schools for a small administration fee, and there are English-speaking nurseries in most Thai cities that welcome children from the age of 1 to 3 years old. These are in particularly high demand in urban areas.
Moving to Thailand with your child would be easy. Thailand has many good childcare providers, especially in cities where childcare is in demand. The availability of childcare providers can be accessed online, so it would be better to check and contact them before you travel to Thailand.
Playgroups in Thailand
Playgroups are often organized by parents to encourage social interaction, so it's worth looking at expat forums in the city where you live to find out what's going on. The prices of these playgroups are reasonable, as they are run on a volunteer basis.
You can expect to pay as little as THB 1,000 a month to join one. However, if you live in a larger Thai city and choose to send your child to a nursery or pre-school that is run by an international school, you can expect to pay higher fees, upwards of tens of thousands of Thai Baht per month.
Finding a nanny in Thailand
You can also hire a nanny while you are in Thailand, as this can be affordable to many expats and can make life as a parent much more convenient. Hiring a nanny will cost around THB 14,000 per month for a live-in or around THB 7,000 a month on a part-time basis. You may be used to childcare givers being certified in your home country. Still, in Thailand, there are no regulations for nannies, so it would be great to have personal recommendations from friends who are in Thailand – this can be the best way to find someone suitable to take care of the children. There are, however, many experienced nannies who are looking to be employed by English-speaking families, and you can find them by contacting an agency, looking for adverts in the newspaper, checking expat websites, or simply asking around for recommendations. Many Thai teenagers also wish to improve their English language skills by babysitting, and this could also be an option on an ad hoc basis.
The education system in Thailand
Education in Thailand is largely a government responsibility provided by the Ministry of Education. Under the National Education Act, Thai citizens are eligible to undertake 12 years of free public schooling. However, only 6 years of primary education and 3 years of lower secondary education are compulsory.
Bilingual and international schools in Thailand
Many foreigners in Thailand choose to enroll their children in either a private school with a bilingual or English program or in an international school. Private schools follow the Thai national curriculum, but the majority of classes are taught in English. International schools follow the curriculum of other national programs, such as the American or British curriculums. Even many upper-class Thai families are now choosing to send their children to international schools rather than private schools, as the teaching methods and facilities tend to be better, and there is better preparation for children to enroll at a university abroad.
If you return to your home country in the future, the transition would be easier if you chose a school in Thailand with a curriculum structure that corresponds to those back home. However, international schools are more expensive than private schools, and some are strictly primary schools for students up to about the age of 12. In contrast, others include secondary schooling for children up to 18 years old.
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