First Steps International Pre-school is a dedicated early years school in the Wattana district of central Bangkok, founded in 1996 and one of the longer running specialist preschools in the city. It follows the English Early Years Foundation Stage, the play based framework used in British nurseries and reception classes, for children from roughly sixteen months to age seven, and it sits among the early years options mapped on our Bangkok city hub. Because it is a small specialist setting rather than a large all through school, it is priced below the headline international schools.
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At a glance
Curriculum and academics
First Steps teaches to the English Early Years Foundation Stage, the same play based framework that underpins nursery and reception classes in British schools. The emphasis at this age is on language, early literacy and numeracy, personal and social development and structured play rather than formal examinations, which is why no exam board sits behind the programme. Optional French and German exposure is woven into the daily timetable, an unusual feature for a Bangkok preschool and a draw for European families who want their children to keep a second language alive.
For families specifically weighing a Montessori or play led setting, the early years market in the city is set out on our Montessori and early years schools in Bangkok hub and in the wider Montessori curriculum guide. First Steps itself follows the British model, so parents planning a longer school journey often use it as a feeder before moving on to a through school running the British curriculum or another pathway from Year 1.
Work out the full cost first
Our fee calculator turns headline tuition into a realistic annual total once registration, deposit and extras are added, so you can compare early years settings on a like for like basis.
First Steps International Pre-school fees
First Steps sits in the lower to middle of the range on our Bangkok international school fees guide, which is typical of a specialist early years setting rather than a large through school. The school publishes termly rates that vary by the number of days and the age group, so treat any single figure as indicative and confirm current pricing with the school directly.
Budget for the standard early years components alongside tuition: a one off registration or application fee, a refundable deposit, and optional extras such as lunches, uniform and transport. Because preschool hours and day patterns differ between settings, the practical comparison is the all in termly cost rather than the headline tuition line, which is exactly what the fee calculator is built to surface.
Admissions
First Steps runs a rolling admissions cycle through the year, which suits the early years stage where children join as they reach the right age and as families relocate into Bangkok. Places in the youngest nursery groups and at the start of the August academic year are the most sought after, so registering interest early matters even at this level.
Assessment is light touch and age appropriate. The school typically asks for a registration form, a short settling visit and any previous nursery records, with the focus on readiness and the child being comfortable rather than any formal entrance test. Visiting in person is the best first step, since fit between a young child and a setting is hard to judge on paper.
Location and who goes there
First Steps occupies a campus on Sukhumvit Soi 31 in the Wattana district, one of the most established expatriate residential pockets in central Bangkok. The location puts it within easy reach of the Sukhumvit condominium belt and the BTS corridor, which is the practical reason many inner city families with very young children choose it over schools further out.
The roll reflects that central catchment, drawing on the European, British, Japanese and wider international families who live around mid Sukhumvit, alongside Thai families who want an English medium early years start. For the broader picture of where international families settle across the city and which schools sit nearby, see the Bangkok city hub.
Reviews
We do not yet have verified parent reviews for this school. GlobalSchoolGuide is independent and no school pays to be listed, so we publish reviews only once we can confirm they come from real families. If your child attends or has attended First Steps, we would value your first hand account. Share your experience through the school reviews hub and help the next relocating family decide with better information.
Frequently asked questions
How much are First Steps International Pre-school fees?
As an early years setting First Steps sits in the lower to middle of the Bangkok fee range rather than at the level of the large through schools. Confirm current termly rates with the school and budget for a registration fee, a deposit and optional extras such as lunch and transport alongside tuition.
What curriculum does First Steps International Pre-school follow?
First Steps follows the English Early Years Foundation Stage, a play based British early years framework, for children from around sixteen months to age seven. Optional French and German language exposure is offered within the daily programme.
What ages does First Steps International Pre-school take?
First Steps is an early years school taking children from roughly sixteen months through to around age seven, bridging nursery, kindergarten and the first years of primary before families move on to a larger through school.
Where is First Steps International Pre-school located?
First Steps is on Sukhumvit Soi 31 in the Wattana district of central Bangkok, a residential area popular with expatriate families and within reach of the Sukhumvit BTS corridor.
