Beyond the Resume: What Qualifications Should You Look for in a Babysitter in Bali?
Planning a family holiday to Bali often involves a delightful realization: high-quality childcare is incredibly accessible. The prospect of a romantic dinner, a guilt-free spa day, or simply reading a book by the pool while your children are happily entertained is a major drawcard for exhausted parents.
However, the process of hiring someone in a foreign country naturally brings anxiety. When Western parents ask about “qualifications,” they usually mean early childhood degrees, up-to-date Red Cross certificates, and formal police background checks.
In Bali, the context is different. While formal certifications exist (especially through professional agencies), “qualification” is often rooted more deeply in practical experience and cultural upbringing. Balinese culture is intensely communal; children are raised by the village, and most women grow up caring for siblings, cousins, and neighbors. Their innate warmth, incredible patience, and genuine love for children are legendary globally.
Yet, innate warmth doesn’t prevent accidents. When hiring a nanny in Bali, you need to look for a specific blend of hard safety skills and soft interpersonal skills.
Here is a breakdown of the essential qualifications you should prioritize for a safe and happy holiday.
1. The Non-Negotiable: Water Safety Awareness
If you prioritize only one “qualification,” make it this one.
The single biggest risk to children on holiday in Bali is the accommodation. Most private villas feature sparkling, inviting swimming pools right off the living area—and very few of them are fenced.
It is crucial to understand that many wonderful Balinese people cannot swim strong laps or tread water in the deep end. This does not make them bad nannies, but it does mean you need to assess their capability realistically.
How to Qualify This:
- Move beyond “Can you swim?”: A “yes” might mean they can happily splash in the shallow end. Instead, ask a scenario-based question: “If my 3-year-old fell into the deep end of the pool, are you confident you could jump in right now and pull them out?” Watch their reaction carefully.
- Hyper-vigilance during a trial: Book a paid trial run while you are present. Watch their body language near the pool. Do they position themselves between the child and the water? Are they constantly scanning, or are they looking at their phone?
The Golden Rule: If you are not 100% confident in a nanny’s swimming ability, the qualification you are looking for is strict adherence to a rule: They must never take the children swimming unless a parent is present and actively supervising.
2. The Essential Hard Skills (Formal Certifications)
These are the tangible documents and training that provide peace of mind. They are easiest to find through professional agencies.
A. First Aid and CPR Training
- Agency Nannies: Most reputable Western-managed agencies mandate current First Aid and CPR training focused on infants and children for all their staff. They should be willing to show you the certificate upon request.
- Freelance Nannies: Many freelance nannies will claim to have this training. Always ask to see the certificate and check the date. If they don’t have a physical certificate, test their knowledge with a practical question: “What is the very first thing you would do if my toddler choked on a piece of fruit and couldn’t breathe?” Their immediate, calm, correct answer is often better proof than an old piece of paper.
B. Identity Verification & Background Checks
- The KTP: Every legitimate nanny should willingly show you their Indonesian National ID card (KTP). You should take a photo of it for your records on Day 1.
- Police Clearance (SKCK): Professional agencies almost always require a police background check for their staff. It is rarer for freelance nannies to have a current one handy, though experienced ones often do.
3. The Crucial Soft Skills (The Balinese Strength)
This is where Balinese nannies excel. These qualifications aren’t on a resume, but they determine the quality of your child’s experience.
A. Age-Specific Experience A nanny who is fantastic with energetic 8-year-olds might be completely overwhelmed by the needs of a 4-month-old baby.
- How to Qualify This: Ask, “What ages have you worked with the most in the last six months?” Look for recent, relevant experience that matches your children’s current stage.
B. Functional English for Safety Their English does not need to be grammatically perfect. However, it must be functionally sufficient for safety protocols.
- How to Qualify This: Can they clearly understand complex instructions regarding medication schedules or specific allergy warnings? Most importantly, could they clearly communicate an emergency situation to you over the phone or to medical staff?
C. Engagement vs. “Watching” There is a massive difference between someone who sits on a chair passively watching your kids play and someone who gets down on the floor and plays with them.
- How to Qualify This: The only way to test this is a 3-hour paid trial run while you are at the villa. Look for the nanny who puts her phone away, initiates games, weaves palm frond toys, and actively matches your child’s energy level.
Where You Look Determines What You Find
The qualifications you can expect depend on how you source your nanny.
- If you hire through a Reputable Agency: You are paying a premium for pre-vetted qualifications. The baseline (police checks, ID, basic First Aid, functional English) is guaranteed by the agency. Your job is simply to double-check water safety confidence and ensure a personality fit.
- If you hire Freelance (Word of Mouth/Facebook Groups): You are the HR department. You cannot assume any formal qualifications exist. You must be the one to ask for the KTP, ask the hard CPR scenario questions, call references, and be rigid about pool safety rules.