Nurseries, bilingual and international preschools and anuban kindergartens for ages 0–5 — what each type is, what it costs, where to look, and how enrolment works for relocating families. Fees are 2026 guide ranges in Thai baht (≈ THB 35–36 = USD 1).
Phuket is an easy place to find care for young children — from low-cost Thai anuban kindergartens to English-medium international and Montessori preschools clustered in the family-heavy northwest. What you pay and where you look depends on the type of care and how much English you want. Below: the kinds of childcare on the island, where nurseries and preschools cluster, typical monthly fees, how enrolment and documents work for ages 0–5, and how to choose. Pair this with our Phuket international schools guide for ages 5 and up, and the cost-of-living guide for family budgeting.
The care available for under-sixes, from full infant care to nannies. Which suits you depends on your child’s age, the language you want and your budget.
| Type | Ages | What it is |
|---|---|---|
| Baby & infant nursery | ~4 months–2 yrs | Full-day care for babies and toddlers with smaller ratios and nap/feeding routines. Less common than preschool and usually private or in-home. |
| Preschool / nursery (เนอร์สเซอรี่) | 1.5–3 yrs | Play-based early years — the most common paid childcare for young expat children, offered as half or full day. |
| Kindergarten / anuban (อนุบาล) | 3–6 yrs | Structured pre-primary (Anuban 1–3) that feeds into Prathom 1. Run by Thai, bilingual and international schools. |
| International & bilingual preschools | 1.5–6 yrs | Early-years sections of international schools (British EYFS, IB PYP) and dedicated bilingual preschools — English-medium, at the higher fee end. |
| Montessori nurseries | 1.5–6 yrs | Child-led Montessori settings, clustered in Cherng Talay and the south, popular with Northern-European and long-stay families. |
| Nanny / in-home carer (พี่เลี้ยง) | any | Live-out or live-in nannies are affordable and widely used; agencies and expat groups place English- or Thai-speaking carers. |
Phuket has no rail, so — as with schools — most families choose their area around childcare and the daily run. Three broad clusters:
| Area cluster | What you will find | Why families live there |
|---|---|---|
| Northwest — Cherng Talay, Bang Tao, Laguna & Thalang | International-school early years (UWC Thailand, Headstart), Montessori & bilingual nurseries | The luxury family belt with the widest choice of international and Montessori preschools, matched to the big schools — and the highest fees. |
| Central — Phuket Town, Koh Kaew & Kathu | Kajonkiet and Thai/bilingual anuban kindergartens, hospital-area nurseries | Real-city amenities and the most Thai and bilingual options at the lowest fees; close to the main hospitals. |
| South — Rawai, Chalong & Nai Harn | Small international & Montessori preschools, home nurseries | Relaxed, lower-cost long-stay living with a smaller but growing cluster of preschools. |
Check the drop-off run and, for international settings, any bus route before signing a lease — on Phuket it often matters more than straight-line distance. Use our where to live and Phuket area guides to match a neighbourhood to your childcare.
Indicative 2026 monthly fees. Thai and municipal settings are the most affordable; international early years sit at the top and are frequently billed per term rather than monthly.
| Type of care | Guide fee |
|---|---|
| Thai / municipal nursery & kindergarten | THB 2,000–8,000 / month |
| Private bilingual preschool | THB 8,000–25,000 / month |
| International preschool (EYFS / IB PYP early years) | THB 25,000–60,000+ / month (often billed per term) |
| Montessori nursery | THB 15,000–40,000 / month |
| Full-time nanny (live-out) | THB 15,000–25,000 / month |
Budget separately for a one-off registration fee, a refundable deposit at some settings, and ongoing costs for uniforms, meals and transport. Always request the full current fee schedule before you commit.
Nurseries commonly take children from around 18 months, kindergartens (anuban) and international early years from three, and a handful of baby nurseries accept infants from a few months — the youngest ages are the scarcest, so plan ahead. Thai and bilingual nurseries usually admit on a rolling basis and can place a child within days, while international and Montessori preschools follow the August school year and can carry waitlists, so apply several months out. For paperwork, expect to provide your child’s passport, birth certificate and vaccination or immunisation records, recent photos, and — at international schools — sometimes a copy of your visa and any previous nursery report. Register early, visit in person where you can, and confirm the settling-in policy before you pay a deposit.
Visit before enrolling and watch the everyday things: staff-to-child ratios, how carers speak to the children, cleanliness, safe outdoor shade and play space, and the food. Ask about the language of the day, the daily routine, sick-child and medication policies, security at drop-off and pick-up, and how they handle settling in. Check that fees, deposits and notice periods are in writing. For English-medium care, confirm how much is genuinely spoken in English versus Thai. Talking to other expat parents — the Phuket family Facebook groups are active — is often the fastest way to shortlist, and pairs well with our expat community guide.
It spans a wide range. A Thai or municipal nursery or anuban kindergarten can be as little as THB 2,000–8,000 a month, private bilingual preschools run roughly THB 8,000–25,000, and the early-years sections of international schools sit at THB 25,000–60,000 or more, often billed per term. Montessori nurseries fall in between, and a full-time live-out nanny is around THB 15,000–25,000 a month. On top of fees, budget for a registration fee, sometimes a refundable deposit, plus uniforms, meals and transport. Always ask each setting for its current fee schedule.
A nursery or preschool takes younger children — roughly 1.5 to 3 years — and is play-based, with flexible half or full days. Anuban is the Thai pre-primary stage for ages 3 to 6 (Anuban 1–3), which is more structured and leads directly into Prathom 1 (Grade 1). International schools blend the two into an early-years or foundation stage. For a child under three you are usually looking at a nursery; from three upward you can choose an anuban or an international kindergarten.
It depends on the type. International and bilingual preschools teach in English (or English plus Thai) and are concentrated in the northwest around Cherng Talay and Laguna. Thai municipal and private anuban kindergartens teach mainly in Thai, which some expat families choose for early immersion and the low cost. Montessori settings are typically English or bilingual. If English-medium care matters to you, focus on the northwest cluster or the dedicated bilingual preschools in and around Phuket Town.
Many nurseries take children from around 18 months, and some baby nurseries accept infants from a few months old, though full infant care is less common and often arranged privately or with a nanny. Kindergarten (anuban) and international early-years programmes generally start at three. Places for the youngest ages are the scarcest, so if you need infant care, line it up — or arrange a nanny — well before you arrive.
The popular international and Montessori preschools in the northwest can have waitlists, especially for the early-years intake that follows the August school year, so apply several months ahead. Smaller Thai and bilingual nurseries often admit on a rolling basis and can place a child quickly. If you are moving for a specific international school, ask about its nursery or foundation stage early, as feeding through can make later admission easier.
This guide is general information for relocation planning, not childcare or financial advice. Fees, ages, curricula and enrolment rules change — confirm current details directly with each nursery, preschool or school.
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 match a family-friendly area and condo to your budget, and line up schools, healthcare and your visa.
Hero photo by Yan Krukau on Pexels.