Quick overview
Turkey's daycare system — far more affordable than Western Europe.
Turkey (kreş) daycare is structured into a clear tier system. At one end, the state and municipality operate heavily subsidised — often free — nurseries available to all legal residents including expat families. At the other, international private nurseries in Istanbul and Antalya offer full English-language early years education. The range is vast, and most families find an excellent option at a fraction of what they would pay at home.
State kreş
Free–€30/mo
Municipal kreş
€30–80/mo
Private Turkish
€80–250/mo
International
€350–600+/mo
Full comparison
All daycare types compared.
| Type | Monthly fee | Ages | Hours | Meals | Language |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
State kreş Ministry of National Education Requires address registration in catchment area. Very limited places — join waiting list as early as possible. Quality varies significantly by district. | Free–€30 | 0–6 | 07:30–17:00 | ✓ | Turkish only |
Municipal kreş Municipality (Belediye) Run by district municipalities. More available than state kreş. Still heavily subsidised. Register at your municipality with ikamet and address documents. | €30–80 | 0–6 | 07:00–18:00 | ✓ | Turkish only |
Private Turkish kreş Private companies Wide quality range. Clean, structured environments. Some offer English language sessions. Most include lunch and snacks. Good middle-ground option. | €80–250 | 0–6 | 07:00–18:30 | ✓ | Turkish (some English classes) |
Bilingual private kreş Private international groups English-speaking staff and Turkish teachers. Dual-language immersion environment. Popular with expat families. Often associated with international schools. | €200–400 | 1.5–6 | 08:00–17:00 | ✓ | Turkish + English |
International / expat-oriented International private nurseries Full English language environment. IB Early Years or Montessori approach. Small groups, high staff ratios. Found mainly in Istanbul and Antalya expat areas. | €350–600+ | 3 months–6 | 07:00–18:30 | ✓ | English-primary |
State kreş
Ministry of National Education
Free–€30
Ages
0–6
Language
Turkish only
Notes
Requires address registration in catchment area. Very limited places — join waiting list as early as possible. Quality varies significantly by district.
Municipal kreş
Municipality (Belediye)
€30–80
Ages
0–6
Language
Turkish only
Notes
Run by district municipalities. More available than state kreş. Still heavily subsidised. Register at your municipality with ikamet and address documents.
Private Turkish kreş
Private companies
€80–250
Ages
0–6
Language
Turkish (some English classes)
Notes
Wide quality range. Clean, structured environments. Some offer English language sessions. Most include lunch and snacks. Good middle-ground option.
Bilingual private kreş
Private international groups
€200–400
Ages
1.5–6
Language
Turkish + English
Notes
English-speaking staff and Turkish teachers. Dual-language immersion environment. Popular with expat families. Often associated with international schools.
International / expat-oriented
International private nurseries
€350–600+
Ages
3 months–6
Language
English-primary
Notes
Full English language environment. IB Early Years or Montessori approach. Small groups, high staff ratios. Found mainly in Istanbul and Antalya expat areas.
City comparison
Monthly daycare fees by city and type.
Fees vary by city — Istanbul and Antalya are slightly higher than smaller coastal cities. All figures in EUR per month for 2026.
| City | State kreş | Municipal | Private Turkish | International |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Istanbul | Free–€25 | €40–90 | €120–280 | €400–700 |
| Antalya | Free–€20 | €30–70 | €90–220 | €300–550 |
| Izmir | Free–€20 | €30–70 | €90–200 | €280–500 |
| Fethiye | Free–€15 | €25–55 | €75–160 | €200–380 |
| Alanya | Free–€15 | €25–55 | €70–150 | €180–350 |
Registration guide
How to register your child at a state kreş.
State daycare registration requires address registration — this is the most important first step for expat families. The process is straightforward once your documents are in order.
Get address registration (ikametgah)
State and municipal kreş places are tied to your registered address. First obtain your ikamet (residence permit) and register your address at the local Nüfus Müdürlüğü (population directorate).
Find your catchment kreş
Your district's state kreş is assigned based on address. Contact the local İlçe Milli Eğitim Müdürlüğü (district education office) to find your assigned institution and check for vacancies.
Prepare your documents
Typically needed: child's birth certificate (translated and apostilled), child's passport, parents' ikamets, address registration document (ikametgah belgesi), health records and vaccination certificate.
Join waiting list if needed
State kreş spaces fill quickly, especially in major cities. Apply as soon as your documents are in order — even before your planned start date. Municipal kreş also fills up but is more readily available.
Alternative option
Au pair and nanny as a childcare alternative.
Many expat families in Turkey — especially those with young children or unusual schedules — use private nanny or au pair arrangements. Turkish nannies (bakıcı) are generally warm, reliable, and significantly less expensive than Western European equivalents.
Part-time nanny
€150–350/mo
15–25 hours/week. Childminding at home or pickups. Most common arrangement for school-age children.
Full-time nanny
€350–600/mo
40 hours/week. Full-day care plus light household duties. Comparable to private kreş costs for one child.
Live-in nanny
€400–700/mo
Plus accommodation and meals provided. Flexible hours. Popular with families in larger apartments or houses.
Note: formal employment contracts and social security contributions (SGK) apply to employed domestic workers in Turkey. Consult a local accountant or lawyer for compliance.
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