How many nurseries in Phuket
Phuket has roughly twenty five international nurseries and preschools running in English in 2026. Around fifteen sit inside or alongside larger international schools, where the early years section is the gateway to a continuous Reception to Year 13 pathway. The remaining ten are standalone early years settings, including community nurseries, Montessori and Reggio Emilia inspired schools, and forest school style outdoor programmes that have grown sharply along the south of the island. Most run the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework adopted from the UK, often delivered alongside Thai cultural studies and local language exposure.
The early years market is the most competitive single stage in Phuket international schooling, both for the schools and for parents. Toddler entry is the easiest single point at which to secure a place inside a popular school, which is why BISP, UWC Thailand and HeadStart all run continuous priority for siblings of existing pupils and for families who enrol at the toddler or Children’s House stage. The early years section also drives parent satisfaction and word of mouth more than any other stage, given the proportion of the day spent at school and the visibility of teaching practice.
Fees and the Phuket tiers
Early years fees in Phuket sit lower than the primary and secondary tiers within the same school but still vary significantly by setting. The value tier covers the smaller standalone nurseries at THB 150,000 to THB 220,000 a year for a full day programme. The mid tier runs THB 220,000 to THB 360,000 and captures the credible standalone Reggio, Montessori and EYFS settings and the early years entries at the mid tier international schools. The premium tier, THB 360,000 to THB 480,000, includes the early years sections of BISP, UWC Thailand and the upper end of HeadStart.
The hidden cost differences in early years are larger proportionally than at any later stage. School bus services typically add THB 40,000 to THB 70,000 a year. Lunch programmes at THB 25,000 to THB 45,000 are charged separately at most settings, although a small number include lunch in the headline fee. Holiday camps at THB 8,000 to THB 14,000 per week are a meaningful add on for dual income households. For the wider fee landscape see our Phuket international school fees deep dive and the cheapest international schools in Phuket.
Looking for the right nursery in Phuket?
Take our 5 minute school finder quiz. We shortlist Phuket early years settings based on your child’s age, your pedagogy preferences and your budget. Free, no obligation.
Illustrative example settings
The settings below are illustrative, not a ranking. Each runs a credible early years programme with at least five years of operating history on the island.
British International School Phuket Early Years in Koh Kaew is the largest single early years section on the island, with around 200 children from age 2 to 5. EYFS framework, dedicated early years buildings on the main BISP campus and a direct continuous transition into Reception and Year 1. Premium tier fees. Convenient for Koh Kaew, Phuket Town and the inner west coast.
UWC Thailand Early Childhood Centre in Thalang runs the IB Primary Years Programme from age 18 months through nursery and into Reception. Around 150 children in the early years section, with the distinctive UWC mission focus already visible in early childhood practice. Premium tier fees and convenient for Bang Tao, Cherngtalay and the airport corridor.
HeadStart Early Years in Chalong runs a credible EYFS programme alongside its Cambridge Primary pathway. Around 120 children, mid tier fees and the strongest early years option south of Phuket Town. Convenient for Rawai, Chalong and Kata families.
Phuket International Children’s Garden in Phuket Town is one of the longer established standalone early years settings on the island. Around 90 children, AMS aligned Montessori programme and a strong transition record into BISP and HeadStart at Reception and Year 1. Mid tier fees.
Where early years families live
Early years families in Phuket distribute slightly differently from the wider international school population. The shorter school day and the smaller number of dedicated early years sites tighten catchments materially. Cherngtalay and Bang Tao, on the west coast, host the largest concentration of early years families, including those attached to UWC Thailand Early Childhood Centre and several standalone west coast nurseries. The Laguna Village residential pocket, the Cherngtalay villa estates and the post 2020 Bang Tao developments dominate this segment.
Koh Kaew and Phuket Town host the early years families attached to BISP Early Years and Phuket International Children’s Garden. This is the most accessible early years cluster for working parents commuting into the centre. Chalong, Rawai and Nai Harn, in the south, host the early years families attached to HeadStart and the smaller southern providers, with a notable Russian and Eastern European concentration. Mai Khao and the airport corridor have a smaller but growing early years cohort, often anchored by Berda Claude’s PYP early years stream. See the Phuket city hub and our moving to Phuket with kids guide.
Admissions calendar
Most Phuket international nurseries align with the August start of the international school year and a smaller intake in January. The early years sections inside larger international schools commit places six to twelve months ahead at the most popular start dates, particularly the August Reception year at BISP, UWC Thailand and HeadStart. Standalone nurseries more often operate rolling admissions and accept children whenever a place becomes available.
Toddler entry, typically age 18 months to 2 years, is the most flexible entry point and the easiest single point at which to secure a place inside a popular school. Reception entry, age 4 going on 5, is the most competitive at the premium schools. Mid year entry into the toddler and pre-Reception year groups is common, particularly in January and around the European summer. Sibling priority applies at most schools. The standalone nurseries run shorter notice periods on departure than the larger schools and are correspondingly more flexible on short term placements for families on shorter Phuket assignments.
Frequently asked questions
How many international nurseries and preschools are there in Phuket?
Phuket has roughly twenty five international nurseries and preschools running in English in 2026. Around fifteen sit inside or alongside larger international schools and the remainder are standalone early years settings. The mainstream concentration runs along the west coast from Mai Khao to Rawai.
What age can a child start nursery in Phuket?
Most Phuket international nurseries accept children from age 18 months in a toddler programme, with some from 12 months. The Children’s House or pre-Reception stage starts at age 3, and Reception or Foundation Stage 2 starts at age 4, mirroring the British EYFS framework adopted by most of the international schools on the island.
How much do nurseries and preschools cost in Phuket?
Early years fees in Phuket run from THB 150,000 a year at the smaller standalone nurseries to THB 480,000 at the early years sections of the premium international schools. Most credible early years programmes sit in the THB 220,000 to THB 360,000 range for a full day.
Are Phuket international nurseries full day or part time?
Both. The early years sections inside larger international schools run a full school day from roughly 08.00 to 14.30. Standalone nurseries more commonly run half day or extended day options, with after care available at most. Holiday camps and school bus collection vary widely by school.
When should I apply for a nursery in Phuket?
Apply 3 to 6 months ahead for most settings, longer for the early years sections of BISP and UWC Thailand which can carry waitlists of six to twelve months at popular start dates. The two main intake months are August for the international calendar and November for some Thai aligned providers.
