Cambodia’s New Nursery Management Sub-Decree: What Operators and Parents Need to Know

February 11, 2026

On 15 December 2025, the Royal Government of Cambodia issued Sub-Decree No. 254 regarding the Management of Nurseries. This decision, signed by Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet, Prime Minister of Cambodia, aims to provide opportunities for the holistic growth and development of infants and young children, responding to human capital development needs, reducing the burden, and providing time for parents or guardians to have opportunities to work for income and perform other tasks.

1. Applicability and Types of Nurseries

This Sub-Decree applies to all nursery facilities within the Kingdom of Cambodia. It categorizes nurseries into three distinct types based on their management and purpose:

Community Nurseries: community-based nurseries established by a decree of the local administration;
Enterprise Nurseries: nurseries established by companies/enterprises in accordance with the requirements of the Labour Law; and
Private Nurseries: privately owned nursery establishments run by an individual or a legal entity.

Existing nurseries have a transitional period of four years from the effective date to upgrade their operations to meet the new minimum standards.

2. Key Requirements and Standards

To ensure the safety and development of children, all nurseries must adhere to specific technical and administrative criteria:

Minimum Standards Overview

Age Groups: Nurseries are defined as places for the care and development of children aged 3 months to 36 months.

Staffing Ratios: The sub-decree sets a minimum standard of at least 4 staff members for every 25 children.

Facility Standards: Locations must be safe, quiet, hygienic, and well-ventilated with sufficient sunlight. Facilities must include specific areas such as administrative offices, breastfeeding rooms, kitchens, dedicated play/sleeping areas and first aid kits or rooms.

Mandatory Plans: Every nursery must have a 3-year strategic development plan and a holistic development program covering physical, moral, social-emotional, cognitive, and language growth.

Health and Safety: Staff are required to cooperate with parents to ensure children receive vaccinations. In emergencies, staff must provide first aid and immediately transport the child to the nearest specialized hospital.

3. Competent Institutions and Oversight

Management and inspection duties are divided among specific ministries to ensure compliance:

Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport (MoEYS): shall conduct monitoring, inspection, and evaluation to provide technical assistance to community and private nurseries.
Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training (MLVT): shall conduct monitoring, inspection, and evaluation of enterprise nurseries in accordance with the provisions of the Labour Law and legal instruments in force.

Nursery owners should review their current facilities and documentation to ensure they align with these new national standards by the 2029 deadline. Parents should also take note of the standards that each nursery should provide for their children.

Transitional Period: Existing nurseries have four years from the effective date to upgrade their operations and facilities to meet the new minimum standards established under Sub-Decree No. 254.

Need Professional Assistance?

Should you require professional assistance in nursery establishment or advice on how to enforce your rights as a parent, our team is available to provide expert guidance.

Contact Our Expert Team

SIN Soromnear

Co-Principal