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Childcare in Koh Samui

Immerse yourself in the life of a local nursery in Koh Samui, through play, songs, and daily caregiving moments with children aged 2 to 5. An authentic way to discover Thai culture and experience early childhood education firsthand.

Where

Where

Koh Samui, Thailand

When

When

Weekly departures, year-round (except closure periods)

Duration

Duration

Minimum 1 week

Accommodation

Accommodation

Shared or private rooms in a volunteer house with meals included

Language

Language

English (beginner level recommended)

Ideal for

Ideal for

For those who love spending time with young children and want to experience the daily life of a nursery in Koh Samui

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Project details

About section

The island's nurseries welcome volunteers who bring support and creativity to children's daily activities

 

In Koh Samui, as on many Thai islands, nurseries often struggle to manage large classes with limited resources and staff. For children aged 2 to 5, a stimulating and nurturing environment makes all the difference in their development.

This project was created to support local teachers, giving the youngest children more attention and learning opportunities. As a volunteer, you'll take part in playtime, songs, creative activities, and first English words, as well as helping during mealtimes and daily routines.

It's a tangible way to experience Thai culture from the inside — sharing days filled with smiles and small meaningful moments, while discovering how early childhood education can have a real impact on the community's future.

Why participate

Make a difference for the youngest

You'll support children aged 2 to 5 during key moments in their development — through play, daily care, and their first words in English.

Make a difference for the youngest

Discover real island life

Discover real island life

The Weekly Program

Weekdays

From Monday to Friday, mornings are dedicated to nursery activities — games, songs, and caring moments alongside the children and local teachers.

Afternoons are set aside for activity preparation, check-ins with coordinators, and free time to explore the island or spend time with fellow volunteers.

07:30Breakfast at the centre and a shared catch-up with fellow volunteers
09:00Nursery activities: games, songs, and first words in English with the children
11:30Support with daily routines: mealtimes, hygiene, and socialisation
13:00Lunch at the centre and some downtime
14:30Free time: explore the island, relax on the beach, or join in cultural activities
19:00Shared dinner and a free evening, or organised group activities

Weekend

Weekends are free from scheduled activities. You're welcome to explore the area, join day trips, or simply relax with the other volunteers.

Relax at Chaweng Beach

Relax at Chaweng Beach

Spend a day surrounded by turquoise waters and white sand at Koh Samui's most famous beach — perfect for swimming and soaking up the sun.

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Cost calculator

Weeks:
2
Daily cost:
£0
Total cost:
£0
🍽️Accommodation, meals and daily essentials included
🚫No group kitty, no add-ons, no hidden fees
🫶Your fee directly supports our local partner

What's included

What's not included

FAQs

🏝️ Accommodation in Koh Samui

You'll be staying in facilities dedicated to programme participants, in a quiet and well-connected part of the island. Simple but functional spaces, with common areas where you can meet other travellers, unwind after the nursery, and feel part of a close-knit community.

Rooms are shared, furnished simply and practically, and fitted with a fan. Each room has a lockable door and bed linen is provided on arrival. Shared bathrooms with running water; outdoor areas for socialising and resting. Nothing luxurious, but everything you need to feel comfortable.

🍽️ Meals

Meals included: 3 per day on weekdays and 2 at the weekend. Home-style cooking with Thai dishes (rice, noodles, vegetables, seasonal fruit) and vegetarian options. Drinking water, tea, and coffee always available. And if you fancy exploring, local markets and restaurants are just a short walk away!

🛏️ Included amenities

• Simple and functional shared rooms
3 meals per day (weekdays), 2 at the weekend
• Free drinks (water, tea, coffee)
Lockers and lockable rooms
• Common areas for socialising
��️ Safety and support

The safety of our participants is always our top priority 🌞 In Koh Samui we work with trusted local schools and facilities, located in quiet areas and constantly supported by our on-site team — so you can enjoy your experience with complete peace of mind.

🔹 Volunteer screening and protected environments
To ensure a safe and welcoming environment, every volunteer is required to provide a criminal background check before departure. We'll walk you through how to obtain one step by step: it's a simple but essential requirement to protect both the local community and the participants themselves.

🔹 High safety standards
• Lockable rooms and personal lockers
• Daily presence of local staff and ongoing support
• Accommodation in a quiet and easily accessible area
• Clinics and hospitals within a few minutes' reach
• Koh Samui is a safe, welcoming destination visited by travellers from around the world


🔹 24-hour support
From the moment you arrive to the end of your trip, there's always someone you can count on. The local team is available 24/7 for anything you need, and our HQ team is also reachable via WhatsApp for assistance, updates, or practical advice 📲

🔹 Training and orientation
On your first day you'll take part in an introductory orientation covering both cultural and practical aspects: house rules, safety tips, and advice for experiencing the island simply and authentically.

🔹 Good practices for a worry-free experience
✔ Use reliable taxis or transport services recommended by the local team.
✔ Only carry the amount of cash you need for the day.
✔ Follow the staff's guidance for getting around and exploring the island safely.


💡 Our goal
To create a safe, welcoming, and well-organised environment for you — so you can focus on what truly matters: bringing smiles to the nursery children, meeting wonderful new people, and living an unforgettable experience in Koh Samui 🐚
🧭 Orientation day

Your time in Koh Samui begins at a gentle pace: your first Monday is entirely dedicated to getting your bearings, learning about local culture, and preparing for your nursery experience.

Together with the local team, you'll discover the ground rules, the most useful spots, and all those little things that will make you say "now I really feel like I've arrived!":

• Welcome meeting and programme introduction (including house rules — and a few laughs guaranteed)
• Practical tips on health, safety, and everyday life on the island
• Introduction to Thai culture, with interesting facts, traditions, and a few words of the language
• Mini-lesson on customs and etiquette: how to move respectfully through temples and local communities
• Tour of the local area with useful stops such as supermarkets, medical centres, and transport options
• Help buying a local SIM card, or arrive with an eSIM already set up via Airalo — so you're connected from day one!


It's also the perfect time to meet the other volunteers, swap stories and expectations, and maybe start planning your first outings together 🌴

📌 From Tuesday, the real adventure begins

After orientation, you'll start working alongside local teachers and taking part in the nursery's daily activities with the children.
✈️ Arriving in Koh Samui

To start your experience on the right foot, we recommend booking a flight arriving on a Sunday at Koh Samui Airport (USM), ideally between 08:00 and 17:00. Our welcome and transfer service to the accommodation is included within this time window.

If you arrive on a Saturday, you'll need to book an extra night at the accommodation (with a supplement).

If you arrive outside the stated time window, you can reach us with a paid extra pick-up or by arranging your own transport.

If you're travelling by land or ferry, the meeting point is at Nathon Pier on Sunday at 14:00, where our staff will be waiting to welcome you.

Remember to share your flight or arrival details with us as soon as you book, so we can organise everything smoothly.

📍 Meeting Point

USM Airport: at the arrivals hall exit, look for a sign with your name or the organisation's name. It can be busy — stay there until our staff reaches you.

If arriving by boat (Nathon Pier): Sunday at 14:00, arrivals hall of the port.

👉 If you don't see our staff straight away, don't move. Stay at the meeting point — we'll come to you.

📱 Internet Connection

To stay connected from the moment you land, we recommend purchasing an eSIM through Airalo. Alternatively, you can buy a local SIM at the airport or in shops near the port.

🚐 Transfer to the centre

From USM Airport: approximately 1 hour's journey.

From Nathon Pier: approximately 20 minutes. You may share the transfer with other participants arriving on the same day.

🧳 Luggage

We recommend packing light and practical. There are no official limits, but avoid oversized cases — getting around and settling into accommodation is much easier with a backpack or medium-sized trolley.

�� Departure and return flight

Check-out from the accommodation is by 12:00 on Saturday. The return transfer to the airport or other destinations is not included in the programme, as each participant has different departure times. Our staff will be happy to help you arrange a taxi or shared transfer.

We recommend booking your return flight for Saturday evening or Sunday, so you can leave the accommodation at a relaxed pace and reach the airport without any rush.

💡 After confirmation

Once your booking is confirmed, you'll receive a detailed email with all the contact details for our local staff in Koh Samui, to be used in case of emergencies or delays.
Still have questions?

Book your spot

Booking
1

Send your application (free!)

Choose the project that inspires you most and indicate the period you would like to travel. No commitment: the application is free and non-binding.

2

Meet your coordinator

After your application, we will put you in touch with your dedicated coordinator. They will explain everything in detail and answer all your questions.

3

Confirm your spot

When you're ready, pay the deposit to lock in your spot. You'll get everything you need: local contacts, a visa guide and your pre-trip pack.

4

Set off on your adventure!

Pack your bags and go! On arrival you will find other volunteers like you, a welcoming local team and an experience you will hardly forget.

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