Nurseries, 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).
Chonburi's expat families are mostly here for a corporate or manufacturing assignment along the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) — Japanese, Korean and Western engineers and managers based around Sriracha, Amata Nakorn and Laem Chabang. Childcare here is more corporate-family-oriented than resort-town: a strong cluster of nurseries and bilingual kindergartens near the industrial estates and the Japanese community in Sriracha, fewer premium international options than Bangkok or Pattaya, and employer school allowances that often shape the choice between local, bilingual and international care. 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 Chonburi schools guide — Sriracha, Amata Nakorn & EEC families, and for budgeting pair this with the Chonburi 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. Cheaper than international, with a more academic, teacher-led style. |
| Nanny / childminding maid (พี่เลี้ยง) | Any age | A live-in or daily nanny (phi liang), or a maid who also minds children. Affordable one-to-one home care; quality and English vary widely, so vet and reference-check carefully. |
Indicative monthly fees for 2026. Chonburi's pricing sits below Bangkok and roughly in line with or slightly under Pattaya, reflecting a smaller premium-international segment and a larger share of bilingual/Thai options serving the corporate-family market. Figures are a guide only.
| Type of care | Monthly fee (guide) |
|---|---|
| Local Thai nursery / daycare (full day) | THB 3,500–10,000 / month |
| Bilingual Thai–English kindergarten | THB 8,000–25,000 / month |
| Mid-range international pre-school | THB 20,000–45,000 / month |
| Premium international kindergarten (top brands) | THB 40,000–75,000+ / month |
| Full-time live-in nanny | THB 12,000–25,000 / month |
| Daily / part-time nanny | THB 350–550 / 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. Always request each provider's full current fee schedule before committing.
Most families choose a nursery close to home or work. The early-years options in Chonburi concentrate in a handful of areas:
| Area | What you'll find | Why families choose it |
|---|---|---|
| Sriracha town & Bo Win | The largest concentration of nurseries, bilingual kindergartens and the dedicated Japanese School's early-years section | Home to most relocating Japanese and Western families working the nearby industrial estates — walkable or short-drive childcare near corporate housing. |
| Amata Nakorn & Bowin industrial estate | Kindergartens and daycare serving factory-management families | Purpose-built estate housing puts childcare within a few minutes of the workplace — popular with dual-income engineering families. |
| Laem Chabang | A smaller set of daycare centres near the port and logistics operations | Convenient for families working at or near Laem Chabang Port; more limited choice than Sriracha. |
| Bang Saen & Saensuk | Thai and bilingual kindergartens serving the university-town and beach-suburb population | A calmer, more residential base near Burapha University with reasonably priced local and bilingual options. |
Use our Chonburi where-to-live guide to match a family-friendly area — 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. |
| 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. |
| Language of instruction | English-medium, bilingual Thai–English, or Thai-only — 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. |
| Licensing | Reputable nurseries are registered with the Ministry of Education or the Department of Social Development and Welfare — 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. A nanny or childminding maid is a distinctively affordable option: one-to-one home care ideal for babies and flexible hours, though English and training vary so reference-check carefully. Because so many Chonburi families are on employer-sponsored relocation packages, ask your HR/relocation contact early whether school and childcare fees are covered or capped — it often decides between the local, bilingual and international tiers below. For the wider early-years picture see the Thailand childcare & kindergartens overview.
Start by contacting shortlisted centres to check availability and book a visit — the most sought-after 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.
It varies by type. A local Thai nursery or daycare runs roughly THB 3,500–10,000 a month; a bilingual Thai–English kindergarten around THB 8,000–25,000; a mid-range international pre-school THB 20,000–45,000; and premium international kindergartens THB 40,000–75,000+ a month, plus one-off registration and deposit fees. A full-time live-in nanny is typically THB 12,000–25,000 a month. Chonburi's pricing sits below Bangkok and roughly in line with or slightly under Pattaya, reflecting a smaller premium-international segment and a larger share of bilingual/Thai options serving the corporate-family market. 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 primary school at around age 5–6. Availability for the youngest ages is tighter, so check each centre's minimum age.
Yes — Chonburi has a growing choice of bilingual Thai–English kindergartens and a smaller number of English-medium international pre-schools, concentrated in the areas listed below. 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 can carry waitlists, so apply early.
Both are common. 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 as their child grows.
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 with longer, more flexible full-day hours that suit working parents. Confirm the calendar, daily hours and any holiday care before you commit.
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.
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.
Childcare shortlisted — now line up big-kid schooling, match a family-friendly area and condo to your budget, and sort healthcare.
Hero photo by Yan Krukau on Pexels.