Are There Any Nursery In Phuket & International Preschools / Kindergarten in Phuket
They say that young children are like sponges, and that learning and social skills are developed very early on in a child’s life. Experts suggest that preschool is an essential part of a child’s education, especially when it comes to languages, how to mix with other children and even learning how to learn. As for the children, they just get to have fun! At that age, they don’t understand the difference between fun and learning as it’s one and the same thing to them. They can make a mess, make some noise, and make new friends. Parents will be well aware of this and so will be asking, are there any nurseries in Phuket? Are there any international preschools or kintergartens in Phuket?
Parents with children of preschool age will be very happy to learn that they are spoiled for choice here on the island, with a great selection of Nurseries, Kindergartens and Preschools. For those looking to relocate to Phuket, rest assured there is a great provision of care here for your little ones located right across the island, we’ve made a list to help you narrow down the best choices for your child.
What Are the Types of Pre-Schooling in Phuket
The preschools here can start from a very young age, more like a crèche, infact, than what many people would consider to be a preschool. For this reason, we’ve broken down the age ranges for the different schools on Phuket to make things easier to understand.
Nursery and Pre-School
Often referred to here on Phuket as Pre-K, nurseries and preschools tend to start from a year and a half to two years, up to the ages of four or five.
Kindergarten
This is your child’s introduction to a more academic style of learning, it’s still fun and games but starting to include a slightly more formal approach to lessons, but only slightly, they’ll still have a great time. Kindergarten is the last step before ‘big school’, which starts at five or six years of age.
Preschools And Kindergartens In Phuket
There are simply loads of preschools and kindergartens here on Phuket, the range of size and quality is also vast. Many are obviously for local families but here we’ve focused mainly on the English-speaking schools. Rather than list them all, we’ve cherry-picked a few which are dotted around the island so you can see what kind of selection is available. You’ll definitely want to visit a couple before you decide which is the best fit for your child. If the visa process sounds a bit daunting, don’t worry, we can help you obtain a student visa for your child or a guardian visa, we have assisted many families who have relocated to Phuket, just get in touch. We’re here to help!
1. Palm House – International School With An Emphasis On Holistic Education
Location: Rawai
Curriculum: International Primary Curriculum (IPC)
Age groups: 5-11 years old
For children from five to eleven years of age, this school offers the International Primary Curriculum, the only school for this age group in this part of Phuket which is doing so. The teaching staff are all well qualified and experienced, and they like to keep parents well informed about their children’s progress at all times. In keeping with its location, the school includes Thai culture and language classes and, being an international school, inclusivity, kindness and respect rank highly in their ideology. They also instill a respect for nature and the environment, and promote health and well-being amongst their staff and pupils.
Contact: https://international-schools.org/school/thailand/palm-house-international-school/
2. ABC- International Nursery and Pre-School
Location: Rawai
Curriculum: British (IEYC)
Age groups: 18 months – 6 years old
The ABC International Nursery and Pre-school can be found in the sought after area of Rawai, home to a large expat community, and is set in a spacious and colorful villa nestled in beautiful gardens. The school insists on limiting class sizes with a maximum of twelve pupils per class. The International Primary Curriculum Early Years Program is partnered with a more creative outlook, with classes such as yoga, dance, art, meditation, music, gardening, and sports. The teaching practice is mindful of dominant learning styles which are built on and developed.
Contact: https://abcnurseryphuket.com/
3. Buds International School- A Primary Education Boutique
Location: Chalong
Curriculum: British (IEYC)
Age groups: 1 – 11 years old
Buds has a big age range, with children as young as one, all the way up to eleven. Buds Nursery introduces the idea of school structure while encouraging exploration through play. The Kindergarten continues this philosophy incorporating the development of life skills, introducing academia through varied lessons while encouraging independence and responsibility but keeping it fun. Your child will not want to miss a day of school.
Contact: https://www.buds-phuket.com/
4. Lighthouse – International Kindergarten & School
Location: Chalong
Curriculum: International
Age groups: 1 – 11 years old
This is another school with a large age range, again from one to eleven. The school places a great deal of emphasis on creativity, encouraging its pupils to question and discover in a collaborative way. The facilities allow for children with varied interests, levels and capabilities to excel. The learning process snowballs as reflective language and thought processes are introduced, encouraging greater language skills and higher order thinking.
Contact: http://www.chalongnurseryphuket.com/
5. Montessori International School – Authentic Education In A Multilingual Environment
Location: Chalong
Curriculum: Montessori
Age Group: 6-9 years old
The Montessori Education system is globally recognised as being a revolutionary alternative to mainstream schools. Children who have been taught through this system repeatedly score higher than their traditional counterparts. MHP International School is the only school of its kind on Phuket, which is good news for you if you’re looking for this type of education for your child, their philosophy of child-centered learning which is grounded in community, compassion and critical thinking is difficult to find in other types of academic system. The school also has a full summer program and they offer short stays.
Contact: https://www.montessori-thailand.com/
6. Baan Krujay – A Trilingual Nursery
Location: Phuket Town
Curriculum: International
Age groups: 1-6 years old
This nursery for children from the age of one to six, offers a great deal of flexibility with daily, weekly and monthly rates. In addition they’re open seven days a week for after-care, weekend care and a pick-up, drop-off service. That’s quite a find! The teaching program is based on the learn-through-play philosophy, encouraging students to be self-motivated, curious and respectful. Each child is taught to their own level which facilitates a shared experience.
7. Shining Star – A Progressive English Language Preschool In Kamala
Location: Kamala
Curriculum: International
Age groups: 2-7 years old
For children between the ages of two and seven, this English language school aims to encourage creativity, curiosity and focus through theme based learning. Some of the themes covered include The Physical Body, Inside and Out; Collective Nature: animals, plants, habitats, weather; and Friendship- characteristics of a friend, collaboration. This holistic approach to learning encompases everything from yoga to storytelling.
Contact: https://www.shiningstarskamala.com/
8. Indigo Kids – British – French owned International Nursery & Pre-school
Location: Cherng Taley
Curriculum: British (EYFS)
Age groups: 6 months – 7 years
This school, for children as young as six months up to seven years, partners the English Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum with the progressive Finnish education system. From their specially designed class-rooms through to trips out, their approach to education focuses on community and nature. Children are shown that they are part of the wider world and encouraged to explore a sense of purpose through creativity.
Contact: http://www.indigophuket.com/
9. Finway International School – Pioneered Finnish Education
Location: Kow Keaw
Age groups: 2-13 years old
Curriculum: Finnish and Cambridge
This school combines the pioneering ethos of the Finnish Education System with Thai sensibilities and rich cultural heritage. They believe in re-creating realistic community spirit within the school and so have mixed-age classes, this encourages peer to peer learning and a sense of responsibility. Parents are fully involved with the school as the Finnish curriculum sets out a program where the parents or guardians play an integral role in their child’s education, especially during the early years.
Contact: https://finnwayphuket.com/