Job Discussion Forums

smooches · Joined: 29 Dec 2010 Posts: 11

I'm planning to teach abroad for a year or so and I am meeting with recruiters now. I'm considering Thailand but I could use a realistic perspective about my options.

I'm a US Citizen, Fluent in English, Masters degree in Education, Certified K-8 teacher, 8 years of experience teaching Kindergarten, 2 years as an Instructional Coach.

I also have a 1 year-old son so I need to know about childcare options. ANY advice is appreciated.

Thanks!

tttompatz · Posted: Mon Feb 07, 2011 11:42 pm Post subject: Re: Thailand w/ young child???

omlagus · Joined: 29 Apr 2004 Posts: 4 Location: Surat!

I've been a single parent here for about 6yrs and it can be tough, but do-able. My son was in nursery when he was about 1yr old. He has always attendid private schools which are a little bit more expensive. Everything depends on your social life.....

Next term he will be enrolled in primary where I work, but I don't get any discount because it's my first year with the school. Bi-lingual program about 30,000baht

NigerianWhisper · Joined: 21 Mar 2009 Posts: 176

Not a problem with the GOOD home country curriculum internationals.

They often provide child-care arrangements at the school.

ajarnphuket · Joined: 14 Mar 2011 Posts: 3 Location: Phuket

[size=24][size=18]we went to Phuket with our 2 Kindergarten age kids. Up to age 8ish Thailand is ok. You will get offers of barter system in return for education/daycare. Depends on your negotiating skills but i worked Mon mornings and Friday mornings and had a whole week in return. Most Thais state schools will employ you in thier MEP(ridiculous curriculum-different story)
You will find private tutoring quite lucrative but usually weekends/evenings,so childcare may be a problem. State schools will squeeze every last ounce of you for a max of 30,000 B pm. It is usually full-on and only an option if you have no money as a back up. They will also charge for the child or give a small discount. The best thing is to look for a farang run nursery for a good deal.
Take all the books and sturdy educational toys you can as Thailand has only 100B cheap nasty rubbish which has sharp edges, snaps and is generally unsafe. My favourite Thai toy was a swing with a cast iron metal seat weighing about 20kg. Seen many an egg on the old brow from that. Abundant at municipal plagrounds and Thai run nurseries. Good books are hard to find
Housing is cheap to expensive. What you want. Be careful of rural places as snakes enjoy the company! Bear in mind the nearest hospital facilities too.