Finding a nanny in Bali is not hard, finding one you actually trust with your child is the harder part. Between word of mouth, social media groups, and agencies, it helps to know where to look and what to check before you commit.
Where to Start Looking
Most families in Bali find a nanny through one of three routes: expat and parenting community groups on social media, personal referrals from other families, or a placement agency. Community groups can turn up good candidates quickly, but there is usually no formal screening behind the recommendation, it is only as reliable as the person who posted it. An agency does the background checking, reference checking, and matching for you, which takes longer up front but removes a lot of the guesswork.
Popular Areas and What to Expect
Families search for nanny help across every part of Bali, Canggu, Seminyak, Ubud, Uluwatu, Sanur, and Nusa Dua all have active expat and local family communities. The process does not really change by area, what changes is how far a candidate needs to travel and whether live-in accommodation makes more sense than a daily commute, especially for villas further from the main hubs.
What to Check Before You Hire
- A proper background check, not just a verbal assurance
- At least two verifiable references from previous families
- Relevant experience with your child's age group
- Basic first aid training, ideally paediatric-specific
- A clear, written agreement covering hours, duties, and pay before day one
Agency vs Independent Hire
An independent hire can work well when you already have a trusted personal referral. Going through an agency makes more sense when you are starting from zero, need someone quickly, only need temporary or short-term care, or want the contract, screening, and legal side handled for you rather than managing it yourself as a first-time employer.
Red Flags to Watch For
Be cautious of candidates who cannot provide any contactable references, are vague about previous roles and dates, resist a written agreement, or seem unfamiliar with basic child safety practices for the age group they are claiming experience with. None of these alone is necessarily disqualifying, but more than one together is worth pausing over.
Not sure whether you need a nanny or a babysitter in the first place? See our nanny vs babysitter guide, or our guide on live-in vs live-out arrangements.
Want the screening already done for you?
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