Childcare for International Teachers with Families
Moving overseas as an international teacher with kids means more than just evaluating salary and school options – childcare for international teachers can be a major factor as to whether or not the role is viable for your family.
While some international schools do offer childcare for younger kids (in addition to tuition coverage for school aged children), not all do.
Many families need to manage childcare logistics for afternoons when covering extracurricular activities or having meetings, evenings for parent teacher interviews, weekends for any school activities, and more.
Working out the local childcare landscape before you accept a contract is essential. Here are our top tips.
Research Childcare Options Before Accepting a Job
Before you sign a teaching contract, do some research into the types of childcare available in the country you’re potentially moving to.
Common options can include:
- Nannies or domestic helpers: In many Southeast Asian countries (like Cambodia and Thailand), hiring a nanny is affordable and flexible. But, in countries like South Korea or Japan, live-in or even day nannies can be expensive. And sometimes hard to find depending on your school’s location.
- Daycare or kindergarten centres: Many operate full-day or half-day programs, sometimes with after-school care. Costs and quality vary, so it’s important to assess curriculum, safety, and proximity to home or school.
- School-affiliated care programs: Some international schools offer limited before- and after-school care, but hours are often restricted and may not always align with your work schedule.
Factor Childcare Costs into Your Decision
Childcare can represent a big portion of your monthly expenses, depending on your destination. It’s important to consider this when evaluating a job offer:
- A full-time daycare spot in cities like Seoul or Singapore can cost 30–40% of a teacher’s monthly salary, while hiring a nanny in Malaysia or Thailand may be significantly cheaper.
- Extra care for evenings, weekends, or school holidays can add to your budget, especially if your contract includes mandatory school events (and you’re a teaching couple).
- Always calculate estimated childcare costs alongside salary, housing, and any school fees to understand the true take-home value of your contract.
Tip: Some families reduce costs by sharing nannies with other expats, enrolling children in community-based or co-op care programs, or combining daycare with occasional help from friends or school networks.
Childcare for International Teachers – Accessibility
Location and logistics are just as important as cost. Consider:
- Distance between home, school, and childcare providers
- Commute times and local traffic patterns
- Availability of public transport (or kindergarten provided buses and associated costs)
Even an affordable provider can become impractical if it’s difficult to reach during your workday.
Importance a Solid Support Network
Having reliable support is invaluable, especially when you first arrive and don’t yet have a local network.
While it’s not always possible to make instant networks, try to do some groundwork before you arrive by:
- Connecting with expat parenting groups or online communities (like Reddit International Teachers) to find out what others do for childcare when working as an international teacher
- Try to source some trusted babysitters for emergencies
- Forming playgroups or co-op arrangements with other school families
Childcare Questions to Ask Before Accepting a Contract
To avoid surprises, it’s worth asking potential employers or recruiters about:
- Available school-affiliated childcare options and their schedules
- Local childcare recommendations or networks
- Assistance finding nannies or daycare as part of relocation support
By researching childcare availability, costs, and accessibility, it can mean no big surprises when you arrive in country (which we’ve seen happen to friends before!).
While it can be challenging to start, building a strong support network with other international teaching families can be a lifesaver. It can help you to make the right decision for your family’s well-being and professional life when teaching abroad.
