How do families find a nanny in Bali?

Word of mouth is still the strongest lead in Bali. Ask other parents at your child's playgroup or school who they use, since a nanny who already has solid references in your area is usually the safest starting point. Expat parent groups on Facebook and WhatsApp, often organized by neighborhood (Canggu, Ubud, Sanur, Seminyak), are active for this kind of search too, with parents posting recommendations or nannies posting their own availability. A few local staffing agencies place domestic help, including nannies, and can handle background checks and paperwork, though you'll pay a placement fee for that convenience. International schools sometimes keep informal lists of helpers used by other families, so it's worth asking the school office directly.

Treat the hiring process like any other job search. Interview in person, call at least two references yourself rather than just reading them, and if childcare experience matters to you, ask about training in infant care, first aid, or CPR, since a few local courses offer certificates. If your home has a pool, ask directly whether the nanny can swim and is comfortable supervising water play, since pool access is one of the more common safety gaps in Bali households. A paid trial period of a few days lets both sides see if the fit actually works before agreeing to anything longer term.

Once you've chosen someone, put the basics in writing: hours, days off, duties, and whether the role is live-in or day-only. Many nannies in Bali speak some English, but a simple written or spoken routine covering nap times, food rules, and emergency contacts reduces confusion more than verbal instructions alone, especially if her first language is Indonesian or Balinese. Pay on a consistent schedule and agree on paid leave and public holidays from the start, since informal arrangements without any written agreement tend to create misunderstandings later. Check back in on the arrangement every few months, since what a toddler needs from a nanny looks different from what a school-age child needs.