Long Read
Childcare Costs and Options in Chattogram
i'm crammed in my tiny 2‑bedroom flat above a bengali grocery, staring at a wall of spreadsheets that track every taka i spend on *stuff that actually matters. the question on my mind lately? how the hell do i pay for childcare without blowing my already thin student‑budget? Chattogram, the city that never sleeps (well, except the monsoon season) gave me a brutal answer: costs are up, options are messy, and the locals are weirdly proud of their secret spots.
Safety Check
Let’s cut the crap first. Chattogram’s crime index sits around 20 (out of 100) on the global ranking - that’s lower than most Bangladeshi metros, and the police presence on Karnaphuli River is actually decent. you still hear about petty theft at markets and occasional pickpocket on the New Market side, but overall it’s "not a crime‑hub." i asked a friend who runs a local Bangladesh Bank info desk for the lowdown: "most nannies work part‑time, and if you pay cash in a known spot, you’re golden." but that also means you need a phone number and maybe a whatsapp group to keep tabs on the babysitter’s schedule.
Quick numbers: - average safety score (UN data): 0.66 - reported petty theft per 1,000 residents: 0.8 - recommended safety‑gear for kid‑outings: cheap umbrella, a tiny backpack with a water bottle and a hand‑towel for sweaty afternoons.Housing Costs
I’m paying TK 18,000 per month for a 2‑BR walk‑in‑and‑out flat in Lalbagh (just a hop from the port). The average student‑budget flat in the Shyamoli area runs TK 15-17k. The rent is high enough that you’ll notice when you add childcare. A quick glance at local real‑estate listings (thanks to Bangladesh Property Review) tells me that the cheapest daycare spaces are often within 1‑km of the flat, meaning you save on transport (and a tiny bit on the taka you waste on Uber rides).
Key numbers (source: Bangladesh Housing Survey 2024):
- Average 2‑BR rent: TK 16,500 (mid‑range).
- Utilities (electric + water): TK 2,500-3,000 per month.
- Internet (10 mbps): TK 600 per month.
If you’re a student who thinks you can squeeze everything into a TK 20k monthly budget, good luck. You’re going to need a side gig - maybe a freelance graphic design hustle - just to make the numbers add up.Daycare vs Private Nanny
Alright, the meat. I pulled the latest cost data (Bangladesh Ministry of Women & Children Development 2023) and turned it into a table that looks more like a high‑school cheat sheet than an official report.
| Option | Age range | Monthly fee (TK) | Hours / week | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Daycare (run by NGOs) | 2-5 | 5,000-7,500 | 30 | cheap, English‑medium classes, safe playground | limited seats, long waiting list, no after‑school care |
| Private Daycare (Kiddie Zone, Playbox) | 1.5-5 | 12,000-15,000 | 40 | better facilities, structured curriculum, snack menu | pricier, sometimes over‑booked |
| Family Daycare (home‑based) | 0-3 | 3,000 per child per week | flexible | personal attention, lower overhead | inconsistent quality, you need to vet caregivers |
| Private Nanny (full‑time) | 0-5 | 1,200-1,500 per hour | 40‑hour week | flexible schedule, can work night shifts, one‑on‑one | no backup, hourly cost skyrockets if you go beyond 20 hrs |
From my own “budget‑student” grind, i paid TK 45,000 a month for a 2‑day‑care combo plus a part‑time nanny for the rest. Here’s the pro‑tip (yeah, i love bullet points, even if i’m a stream‑of‑consciousness writer): keep a shared spreadsheet with all fees, track your weekly spend on a Google Sheet, and set a monthly cap before the landlord sneaks a TK 3k electricity bill onto your plate.
Quick cost breakdown (rounded up)
- Daycare only: TK 15,000-20,000 per month → leaves you ~TK 5,000 for other costs.
- Daycare + part‑time nanny (15 hrs/week): TK 28,000-33,000 per month → you need a side hustle (like delivering meals on Swiggy).
- Full‑time nanny: TK 30,000-45,000 per month → you’re basically flipping your rent to a “baby‑sitting” budget.
What a local said
> "my cousin’s babysitter runs a cooking class and charges extra for the spice rack."
> - overheard rumor from a late‑night tea stall near Cox’s Bazar airport.
"if you want a cheap nanny, go to the Madrasa around the corner. they’ll let you drop a kid off for free, but you’ll have to bring your own lunch."
That’s the kind of “drunk advice” that makes me double‑check everything. The rumor came from a guy who apparently drinks his own
You won’t find these on TripAdvisor’s top 10 list, but locals swear by them.
- The Rooftop Garden behind the old railway station (near Pachtali) - kids get a rooftop playground with a view of the Port. The monthly fee is TK 8,000 (great for 2 kids) but they ask for a “spice donation” if you want extra meals.
- Madrasa‑affiliated Childcare - free or TK 2,000 per child, but they require morning prayers and a paper‑clip from your parent ID.
- Cox’s Bazar Beach Daycare - not actually a beach, but a temporary summer camp set up in the Sundarban region, 2‑hour drive away. The cost is TK 5,000 per week, but you’ll get boat rides and fresh fish.
If you’re like me and love a bit of adventure, i’d suggest blending the public daycare (cheapest) with a part‑time nanny for the after‑hours. That way you keep the balance sheet tidy and still have a flexible schedule for your late‑night coding sessions.Weather & Neighbors
The weather right now feels like a wet towel stuck on my back - humidity at 85%, clouds a bruised violet, and the occasional thunder burst that turns the streets into a muddy river. The monsoon is officially kicking off but it’s not the full‑blown deluge you see in Dhaka. If you need a break, Cox’s Bazar is only a 2‑hour drive (or a short flight from Shahjalal International Airport) and it gives you a seaside vibe you don’t get on the busy streets of Chattogram. There’s a saffron‑colored sunset view from the Silhouette of 2 men standing side by side (see the second image) that you can squeeze into a quick weekend getaway while still paying for childcare.Final Thoughts
I’ve learned that childcare in Chattogram isn’t a one‑size‑fits‑all game. The data shows a clear split: cheap public options, pricey private centers, and the “family‑run” niche that can be a hidden treasure. The key is budget tracking, flexible scheduling, and a willingness to ask locals (even if they’re half‑sober).
If you’re a budget student, think of it like a ramen budgeting: you can stretch the noodles (public daycare) with a splash of soy sauce (part‑time nanny). And if you ever get the chance to surf at Cox’s Bazar, pack that extra umbrella - you’ll thank me when a sudden drizzle catches you mid‑play.
Here are a few links that helped me sort this mess:
- TripAdvisor - Daycare Listings in Chattogram
- Yelp - Babysitter Services in Chattogram
- /r/ChattogramParents - Local Advice & Overheard Rumors
- ChattogramParents.com - Community‑run Daycare Directory
Feel free to drop a comment if you’ve found a cheaper secret or if you’re planning a short flight to Cox’s Bazar for a weekend escape. Your future self (and maybe your kid) will thank you for the extra taka‑saved* brain‑farts.
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