Island nurseries, international kindergartens, daycare and villa nannies for babies and pre-schoolers — what each type costs, where the bilingual and English options cluster along the coast, how enrolment works, and what to check before you sign up. Fees are 2026 guide ranges in Thai baht (≈ THB 35–36 = USD 1).
Koh Samui is an easier place than most islands to raise young children as an expat: it has a real cluster of nurseries, international kindergartens and bilingual pre-schools — plus the affordable villa nannies that suit island life — spread across the same north- and east-coast districts where relocating families tend to live. Choice is narrower than in Bangkok, and prices range widely, from a THB 4,000-a-month local daycare to a THB 90,000+ 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 Koh Samui international schools guide, and for budgeting pair this with the Koh Samui cost-of-living guide.
Four broad options cover almost every family. Many parents mix them — a villa 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 on the island. |
| 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 often the early-years section of one of Samui's international schools. |
| Bilingual / Thai kindergarten (อนุบาล) | 2 – 6 yrs | Thai anubaan schools, many now bilingual Thai–English. Far cheaper than international, with a more academic, teacher-led style; concentrated in Chaweng, Lamai and the island's towns. |
| Villa nanny / maid for childcare (พี่เลี้ยง) | Any age | A live-in or daily nanny (phi liang) or a housekeeper who also minds children — very common in Samui's villa culture and comparatively affordable, though quality and English vary, 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. Island international fees generally sit below Bangkok, but options are fewer. Figures are a guide only.
| Type of care | Monthly fee (guide) |
|---|---|
| Local Thai nursery / daycare (full day) | THB 4,000–12,000 / month |
| Bilingual Thai–English kindergarten | THB 10,000–28,000 / month |
| Mid-range international pre-school | THB 25,000–55,000 / month |
| Premium international kindergarten (early years) | THB 45,000–90,000 / month |
| Full-time live-in villa nanny (phi liang) | THB 15,000–28,000 / month |
| Daily / part-time nanny | THB 350–600 / day |
Beyond the monthly fee, budget for a one-off registration fee, a refundable deposit to hold the place, plus uniforms, meals, transport 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.
On Samui the ring road and seasonal traffic make distance matter, so most families choose a nursery close to home or their school of choice. The early-years options concentrate on the north and east coasts:
| Area | What you'll find | Why families choose it |
|---|---|---|
| Bophut & Choeng Mon (north-east coast) | Boutique nurseries near the international schools | The island's family belt — leafy, calmer roads around Fisherman's Village, close to the north-coast international schools and their early-years sections. |
| Maenam (north coast) | Village nurseries and the International School of Samui catchment | A relaxed, more affordable north-coast base long favoured by families for its schools, gardens and gentle traffic. |
| Chaweng (east coast) | The widest choice of daycare and bilingual kindergartens | Samui's busiest hub has the most nurseries, shops and services — handy for working parents, though it is the fastest-paced and most built-up part of the island. |
| Lamai (south-east coast) | Local Thai and bilingual kindergartens | A cheaper, more local beach town with Thai anubaan and bilingual options and a steadily growing young-family community. |
| Lipa Noi & the west coast | Pre-schools tied to west-coast international campuses | Quiet sunset-coast villa living with space for young children, near some of the island's international school campuses. |
Use our Koh Samui where-to-live guide to match a family-friendly beach 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. Small groups mean more attention and safer supervision, which matters even more where options are limited. |
| Safety & hygiene | Secure entry, clean kitchens, a sick-child policy, first-aid-trained staff and CCTV. On an island with pools and open-air play, also check fencing, shade and water safety. 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 mostly Thai. Decide how much Thai exposure you want at this age — bilingual gives daily exposure while keeping English. |
| Hours & seasonality | Full-day vs half-day, term-time vs year-round, and whether they run through the quiet green season — some smaller island nurseries scale back or close in low season, so confirm the calendar. |
| 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 one of the island's international primary schools — the usual choice for families who may move on again. A villa nanny or childminding housekeeper (phi liang) is a distinctively affordable Samui option that fits island villa life: one-to-one home care from roughly THB 15,000–28,000 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 Koh Samui domestic helpers & maids guide, 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 island pre-schools have limited spaces 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 low-season cover before you commit, then choose your villa or condo and area around the nursery and its run.
It varies widely by type. A local Thai nursery or daycare runs roughly THB 4,000–12,000 a month; a bilingual Thai–English kindergarten around THB 10,000–28,000; a mid-range international pre-school THB 25,000–55,000; and premium international kindergartens (the early-years sections of the island's international schools) around THB 45,000–90,000 a month, plus one-off registration and deposit fees. A full-time live-in villa nanny (phi liang) is typically THB 15,000–28,000 a month. Island international fees generally sit below Bangkok, but choice is narrower. 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. The island has fewer places for the very youngest ages than Bangkok, so check each centre's minimum age and availability early.
Yes — Samui has a solid choice of English-medium international pre-schools (often the early-years sections of schools such as the International School of Samui, Panyadee and Greenacre) plus bilingual Thai–English kindergartens, concentrated on the north coast around Bophut and Maenam and in Chaweng. 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 island pre-schools have limited spaces and waitlists, so apply early — often several months ahead.
Both are common on Samui. A live-in or daily nanny (phi liang) offers one-to-one care in your villa at a relatively low cost — ideal for babies, irregular hours or families who prefer home care, and a natural fit with the island's villa culture — 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 with longer, more flexible full-day hours that suit working parents. Because Samui is seasonal, a few smaller nurseries quieten or close during the low green season, so confirm the calendar, daily hours and any holiday cover 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.
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 beach area and home to your budget, and sort healthcare.
Hero photo by Yan Krukau on Pexels.