When families travel to Bali, the search for childcare often revolves around safety and supervision so parents can enjoy a few hours of downtime. But in the quiet coastal villages of Amed, hiring a local nanny can unlock something far more profound than simple babysitting. It can open the door to a “natural classroom,” where the environment acts as the teacher and Maria Montessori’s philosophy of child-led, sensory-based learning comes to life on the volcanic shores.
Amed is not lined with manicured resorts or plastic-filled kids’ clubs. Its beauty is raw: black sand beaches, calm shallow bays, looming Mount Agung, and vibrant traditional village life. For a child, this landscape is a tactile wonderland waiting to be explored.
Here is how teaming up with a local nanny in Amed transforms a holiday into a Montessori-style educational adventure.
The Environment as the “Third Teacher”
A core tenet of Montessori philosophy is that the environment itself is crucial to learning. It should be prepared, inviting, and rich with opportunities for independent discovery.
Amed is naturally a “prepared environment.” It offers sensory experiences that plastic toys cannot replicate. The contrast between fine black volcanic sand and rough white coral pieces; the calm, warm shallows perfect for little legs; the rhythm of the tides; and the daily activities of fishermen all provide endless, real-world learning materials.
A local nanny knows this terrain intimately. They know which tide pools are safe for toddlers, where the hermit crabs gather in the afternoons, and which local flowers are safe to touch and smell. They don’t need to set up activities; they just need to guide the child safely into the environment and let curiosity take over.
The Nanny as the Montessori Guide
In Montessori education, the teacher is a “guide.” They do not lecture; they observe the child’s interests and facilitate their connection with the materials.
Balinese child-rearing culture naturally aligns with this approach. Balinese nannies are famously patient, gentle, and observant. They rarely rush a child, allowing them the time and space to deeply focus on a task—whether that’s digging a hole in the sand or watching an ant carry a leaf.
By stepping back and ensuring safety without constant interference, an Amed nanny allows the child to build concentration and independence—key Montessori goals.
“Natural Classroom” Activities in Amed
When you hire a local nanny with the intention of outdoor exploration, the day’s itinerary shifts from passive entertainment to active discovery. Here are examples of Montessori-style play that naturally occur in Amed:
1. Sensory Sorting on Volcanic Shores
Amed’s beaches are unique due to the mix of volcanic black sand and coral debris.
- The Activity: A toddler sits at the water’s edge. The nanny provides a simple wooden bowl. The child spends an hour picking up small white shells and pieces of red coral, contrasting them against the black sand, and sorting them into the bowl.
- The Montessori Skill: Fine motor development, visual discrimination, concentration, and sensory input (texture and temperature).
2. Practical Life: The Salt Farmers and Fishermen
Montessori emphasizes “practical life” activities—real tasks that contribute to daily living. Amed is famous for its traditional salt farming and fishing fleet (jukung).
- The Activity: A morning walk with the nanny to watch the salt farmers rake the brine. Perhaps the child is allowed to touch the coarse, drying salt crystals. Later, they watch fishermen mending nets on the beach.
- The Montessori Skill: Understanding processes (where food comes from), respect for labor, community connection, and observing real-world mechanics.
3. Marine Biology in the Shallows
Amed’s bays are incredibly calm and clear, often resembling a giant swimming pool.
- The Activity: Equipped with a mask or just wading in the shallows, the nanny points out a bright blue starfish or a school of tiny reef fish. They learn the local names for these creatures.
- The Montessori Skill: Nature appreciation, observation skills, vocabulary building, and understanding ecosystems.
4. The Art of Offering (Canang Sari)
While spiritual, the daily creation of Balinese offerings is also a deeply sensory craft activity.
- The Activity: The nanny sits with the child on a bale (pavilion), showing them how to weave young coconut leaves and place brightly colored flower petals into the basket in specific directions.
- The Montessori Skill: Fine motor coordination, pattern recognition, cultural appreciation, and sequencing.
The Ultimate Souvenir
Hiring a nanny in Amed for this type of experience requires a shift in perspective. It isn’t about “parking” the kids while the adults dive. It’s about facilitating a culturally rich, nature-based education for your children.
By allowing an Amed local to guide your child through their natural world using the intuitive principles of Montessori exploration, your children gain more than just a tan. They gain a sense of wonder, a connection to a new culture, and the confidence that comes from independent discovery in a beautiful, natural classroom.