10 Crucial Questions Before Hiring a Nanny in Bali: Your Ultimate Interview Guide

Hiring a nanny in Bali—whether for a two-week family vacation or a long-term expat stay—is an essential decision that impacts your child’s safety and your family’s peace of mind. While Balinese caregivers are renowned globally for their warmth, gentleness, and natural affinity with children, the quality of experience, professional boundaries, and communication skills can vary widely.

To navigate the hiring process successfully and ensure a harmonious relationship, a structured interview is paramount. Going beyond simple questions about experience, here are ten crucial, culturally sensitive, and safety-focused questions to ask every potential Nanny Bali.

1. Safety and Emergency Protocols

The Crucial Question: “Do you have formal training in First Aid or CPR? What is the first thing you would do if our child suddenly started choking or fell near the pool?”

This is the most critical question. Bali is a beautiful, tropical environment, but safety remains paramount, especially around swimming pools, motorbikes, and food. A professional nanny should have a valid First Aid/CPR certificate.

What to Look For: A confident, detailed answer that prioritizes the child’s well-being and immediate action before calling for help (e.g., performing back blows for choking, or immediately jumping in the pool and shouting for the parents).
The Bali Context: Ensure they understand the specific risks of your accommodation, such as unguarded pool areas common in villas.

2. Professional Experience and Child Ages

The Crucial Question: “What ages of children have you cared for in the past, and which age group are you most comfortable with? Can you describe your routine when caring for a [Insert Your Child’s Age: e.g., 18-month-old toddler]?”

Experience is about more than just years; it’s about relevant experience. A nanny who is excellent with toddlers may struggle with a newborn, and vice-versa.

What to Look For: Concrete examples of a daily schedule (meals, naps, activities) tailored to your child’s age. If you have an infant, look for specific newborn-care experience, like safe sleep practices (SIDS awareness).
The Bali Context: If the nanny has worked with expat or tourist families, they may already be familiar with different international parenting styles and product usage (e.g., specific organic food, cloth diapers, etc.).

3. Communication and Language Proficiency

The Crucial Question: “How comfortable are you communicating in English (or our primary language)? Can you repeat the safety instructions I just gave you for the balcony?”

Language is the biggest potential barrier, leading to misunderstandings, especially regarding complex instructions like medication dosages or allergy alerts.

What to Look For: The nanny doesn’t need to be perfectly fluent, but they must be able to understand complex instructions and emergency phrases. The “repeat test” is essential to check genuine comprehension, not just memorization.
The Bali Context: Test if they understand your tone. Many Indonesians communicate indirectly; be clear, speak slowly, and use simple sentences to avoid confusion or shyness.

4. Understanding of Role Boundaries

The Crucial Question: “Our primary need is childcare. What other light household tasks are you willing to perform that are strictly related to the children, such as children’s laundry or meal prep?”

One of the most common conflicts when hiring staff in Bali is ‘scope creep.’ Many Balinese nannies are used to also doing housekeeping (pembantu), but you must clarify your professional expectation.

What to Look For: A clear understanding that their main focus is the children. They should confidently state their boundaries (e.g., “I will wash the children’s plates and clothes, but not the parents’ laundry”).
The Bali Context: Be respectful. Asking a nanny to clean the whole villa might cause them to feel overworked and disrespected, even if you offer to pay extra. Define the job role from day one.

5. Cultural and Religious Sensitivity

The Crucial Question: “We understand that you may have specific religious or cultural obligations, such as temple days (Odalan) or daily prayer (Sembahyang). How can we best accommodate your needs without disrupting the children’s schedule?”

Balinese culture is deeply rooted in Hindu-Dharma practices, which involve mandatory temple attendance or prayer times. A successful long-term arrangement requires mutual respect.

What to Look For: An honest explanation of their needs and a proactive suggestion for a solution (e.g., “I need a half-day off once every 210 days for temple ceremony, and five minutes for prayer during naptime”).
The Bali Context: Never ask them to skip a religious duty. Instead, ask how you can work around it. Showing this level of respect fosters loyalty and trust.

6. Philosophy on Child Discipline

The Crucial Question: “How would you handle a temper tantrum in a public place like a busy restaurant? What is your general approach to discipline and setting boundaries?”

Parenting styles differ vastly across cultures. In Indonesian culture, a strict or overly direct disciplinary approach might be viewed negatively by a child or nanny.

What to Look For: Answers focused on positive reinforcement, redirection, or calm communication, rather than yelling or physical punishment. Ensure their methods align with your family’s values.
The Bali Context: If they are accustomed to a more traditional style, be gentle but firm in explaining your modern, preferred methods, such as ‘time-outs’ or rewarding good behavior.

7. Management and Availability

The Crucial Question: “Are you comfortable with cameras inside the house for safety? Also, what is your minimum required notice for scheduling changes or sick days?”

This question clarifies the working relationship and addresses modern safety concerns and employer expectations.

What to Look For: A willingness to accept surveillance for safety purposes. A professional should also clearly state their limits regarding flexible hours and sick leave expectations.
The Bali Context: For long-term expat hires, discuss holiday leave (cuti) and religious holidays. For short-term hires, verify they have reliable transportation to meet you at your villa or hotel every day.

8. Handling Difficult Situations

The Crucial Question: “Tell me about a time when you disagreed with a former employer’s parenting decision or rule. How did you handle that conflict?”

This behavioral question reveals their professional demeanor, conflict resolution skills, and ability to advocate for the child while respecting the parents’ ultimate authority.

What to Look For: A response that demonstrates diplomacy, respect, and a willingness to communicate privately with the parents rather than undermining them in front of the child.
The Bali Context: Due to cultural politeness, some nannies may avoid confrontation. Encourage them to be open by saying you value their opinion as a professional caregiver.

9. References and Background Check

The Crucial Question: “Can you provide us with contact details for two past employers, especially a foreign family, and are you willing to provide a copy of your KTP (ID) and a recent police clearance letter?”

A thorough background check is non-negotiable for safety. Genuine, experienced nannies should have no problem providing references.

What to Look For: Direct contact details for previous employers (not just friends or relatives). Agencies should provide proof of verification and a written contract.
The Bali Context: A Surat Keterangan Catatan Kepolisian (SKCK) is a police clearance letter that a reliable candidate should be willing to obtain. Always verify the references yourself.

10. Pay Rate and Benefits

The Crucial Question: “What is your expected hourly or monthly rate, and what is your policy on overtime, meals, and transportation allowance?”

Money must be discussed clearly and upfront to prevent awkward situations later. Do not assume or low-ball based on general local costs.

What to Look For: A clear, confident statement of their expected rate. Ensure you are aware of the local minimum wage but also prepared to pay a premium for certified, experienced caregivers who speak a foreign language.
The Bali Context: If the nanny is working for you for a full day, it is customary (and kind) to offer them a meal or a meal allowance. Be upfront about any transportation or THR (religious holiday bonus) expectations.

Hiring a Nanny Bali is often the key to unlocking a truly relaxing and enriching experience on the island. By asking these ten crucial questions, you move beyond the surface-level interview and ensure you are choosing a professional, reliable, and culturally compatible caregiver who will become a treasured part of your family’s Bali journey.

10 Crucial Questions Before Hiring a Nanny in Bali