UNICEF and MSDHS join forces to strengthen quality childcare services

UBON RATCHATHANI, Thailand, 14 October 2026 – The Ministry of Social Development and Human Security (MSDHS) and UNICEF Thailand are stepping up efforts to expand access to quality childcare for Thailand’s youngest children. This includes exploring simpler pathways for private childcare providers to register with the Ministry and identifying practical measures to strengthen the quality of childcare services.

This joint effort was the focus of a visit to Ubon Ratchathani Province on 10 October by UNICEF Representative for Thailand, Ken Legins, together with Anekchai Rueangrattanakorn, Advisor to the Minister of Social Development and Human Security, and senior MSDHS officials. They met private childcare providers to hear first-hand about the challenges of running childcare services, including the registration process, the challenge of meeting staff requirements while keeping services affordable, and the needs of families and working parents.

The move comes at a time when Thailand faces declining birth rates, an ageing population and changing patterns of work and family life, making quality childcare increasingly important for children, families, the country's human capital and its future. In the first years of life, a child's brain forms more than a million new connections every second, so the quality of care in these years matters for a lifetime.

"Every child deserves to grow up safe, loved and cared for, and every parent deserves the support they need to make that possible,” said Ken Legins, UNICEF Representative for Thailand. “The care children receive today shapes the adults they become, and the very future of Thailand. That is why childcare is not just a family issue, it is a national investment. The providers we met are filling an important gap and need our support in registering more easily and achieving the highest possible care standards. UNICEF will continue working with the Ministry towards smart investment, one of the most practical steps Thailand can take to expand and improve quality childcare.”

Anekchai stressed that the MSDHS Minister Nikorn Somklang places a high priority on improving the quality of life of young children. The Ministry is also strengthening collaboration among government agencies, the private sector and relevant partners to help childcare centres improve their services and ensure quality through effective monitoring, inspection and evaluation.

“MSDHS is working to help childcare centres operate legally and meet the relevant standards,” said Anekchai. “At the same time, we are building the skills of operators, staff, teachers and caregivers so they have the knowledge and ability to look after children, support their development, and offer age-appropriate learning experiences. We also place importance on protecting children’s rights, creating safe environments, and preventing risks that could harm children.”

Demand for childcare is especially high among families with children under two who are too young to enroll in public early childhood development centres. For these families, private providers are often the only option. Around 40 per cent of these families say they would like to use childcare, yet very few children of this age are enrolled. Fewer than 3 per cent of children under 18 months attend formal childcare, according to a UNICEF survey.

Currently, Thailand has around 1,100 registered private childcare centres, including 19 in Ubon Ratchathani. However, there is no data on how many private childcare centres operate without registering with MSDHS. This makes it difficult to know where childcare is being provided, who is providing it, and what support providers need to improve quality and keep children safe.

For some smaller providers, registration requirements can be costly or difficult to meet, particularly when they serve families who cannot afford higher fees. Private childcare typically costs THB 3,500–5,000 a month, while half of families surveyed say they cannot pay more than THB 1,000. At the same time, providers often have limited incentives or support to complete the registration process.

UNICEF and MSDHS are exploring ways to make registration simpler and more accessible, while keeping essential child safety standards in place. These may include access to child development materials, training for caregivers, and other support to help smaller providers strengthen their services while keeping childcare affordable for families.