Opening a Private Kindergarten in Thailand: Rules and Requirements
Legal Status and Ownership
Foreigners cannot directly own a kindergarten in Thailand. The activity must be registered through a Thai Limited Company, in which at least 51% of the shares belong to Thai citizens. This requirement is established by the Private Schools Act.
It is also mandatory to have a Thai license holder — an individual in whose name the license for the educational institution is issued. This person must be a Thai citizen and meet the criteria set by the Ministry of Education.
Premises
A kindergarten can operate in a rented building, but strict requirements apply:
- The lease agreement must be for at least 3 years.
- The premises must be approved for use as a kindergarten (issued by the municipality).
- A construction or renovation permit may be required, especially if the building was not previously used for educational purposes.
- Documents confirming the landlord’s ownership are required: Chanote, Blue Book, and the owner’s ID.
- The property’s purpose and layout must comply with sanitary standards, fire safety, and minimum space requirements.
Staff Requirements
At least one staff member responsible for child care must meet one of the following conditions:
- Hold a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education; or
- Hold a higher education degree in another field plus complete a childcare course (minimum 420 hours); or
- Have at least one year of proven experience working with children.
This staff member does not necessarily have to be the director. All candidates undergo background checks and must submit documents to the Ministry of Education. If foreign specialists are involved, they must obtain the relevant permits and a work visa.
Licensing Process
The process includes several stages:
- Registration of a Thai company with the required ownership structure.
- Review and approval of the premises, preparation of all required documents.
- Submission of the application to the local office of the Ministry of Education.
- Obtaining approval for the use of the premises, followed by the license for private educational activities.
The timeline depends on the readiness of documents, the condition of the premises, and interaction with local authorities. In practice, it usually takes several months.