What childcare options are there in Bali for young kids?

The most common option, especially for babies and toddlers, is hiring a private nanny. Most families find one through word of mouth or one of the large expat Facebook groups for Bali, then run a paid trial week before committing. Ask for references from other parents, not just the nanny's own list, and meet in person before any money changes hands. Many nannies speak enough English for daily care, though it helps to write down routines, foods, and safety rules in simple language so nothing gets lost in translation. Some neighbors split one nanny's time between two families with kids of similar ages, which works well once both households agree on rules around screens, snacks, and discipline.

Daycare centers are concentrated in the areas with the biggest expat populations, Canggu, Ubud, Seminyak, and Sanur, and they range from simple home-based setups to larger centers with outdoor play areas and set routines. A growing number sit inside coworking or coliving spaces, so a parent can drop a child off for a few hours while working nearby. Hours and age cutoffs vary a lot from place to place, so visit in person, watch how staff interact with the kids during a normal day, and ask about staff-to-child ratios and what happens if a child gets sick or hurt. Licensing and inspection standards are lighter here than in many Western countries, so your own eyes are the best check.

Once a child is around two to three, many families move toward a preschool, from small Montessori or Waldorf-inspired setups to early years programs attached to bigger international schools like Green School or Bali Island School. These programs mix structured learning with a lot of outdoor and nature-based play, and a few teach partly in Indonesian alongside English. Popular schools and preschools can fill up months ahead, especially for the school year starting in August, so it is worth touring options and putting your name down early if you have a specific one in mind. Talk to other parents at pickup time about how a school actually runs day to day. That kind of ground-level feedback tells you more than any brochure.