Are there bilingual or English-speaking preschools for toddlers in Bali?

Preschools that teach in English, or mix English with Indonesian, are common across Bali's expat hubs: Canggu, Umalas, Berawa, Ubud, Sanur, and parts of Denpasar all have several options within a short drive of each other. Many follow play-based methods like Montessori or Reggio Emilia, and a good number lean into Bali's climate with outdoor, nature-based days: gardening, water play, and time outside instead of long stretches at desks. Ages served usually start around eighteen months to two years for playgroup, moving into kindergarten (locally often called TK) by four or five. Some are standalone toddler programs, others are the early years wing of a larger international school, which makes it easier to stay on the same campus as your child grows.

Language mix varies a lot from school to school, so ask directly what share of the day is spent in English versus Indonesian, and whether staff switch to English automatically or wait for the child to initiate it. Class sizes tend to be small and teacher-to-toddler ratios are usually a selling point, but confirm the actual numbers yourself rather than taking a brochure's word for it. Most schools run on an August-to-June international calendar rather than the Indonesian public school year, and many offer half-day options for younger toddlers with full-day starting a bit later. Popular schools in Canggu and Ubud fill their toddler spots months ahead, especially for the August intake, so start visiting and asking about openings earlier than you'd think you need to.

The fastest way to get a real read on a school is to ask other parents: expat Facebook groups for Canggu, Ubud, and Sanur families are full of first-hand reviews and current waitlist information, and things change often as staff and ownership shift. Book a visit during a normal class, not just an open house, so you can watch how much English is actually spoken and how staff handle a tantrum or nap time. Ask about shade and heat management given Bali's climate, what the routine looks like during rainy season, and whether the school offers a trial day before you commit. If you plan to stay long-term, check whether the preschool feeds into a kindergarten or primary program you'd want to continue with, since switching schools every year or two is hard on young kids.