How to Interview Candidates When You Want to Hire a Nanny in Bali Remotely.
This is a nerve-wracking process for any parent. Hiring someone to care for your children is hard enough face-to-face; doing it across oceans, time zones, and a computer screen feels impossibly daunting.
However, if you are traveling during peak season (July/August or Christmas/New Year) or require specialized care (like for an infant), securing a nanny before you arrive in Bali is highly recommended. The best, most experienced nannies get booked up months in advance.
The key to a successful remote interview is acknowledging the limitations of video. You cannot assess physical chemistry with your child. Therefore, you must focus intensely on the things you can vet: communication, safety instincts, and genuine warmth.
Here is a step-by-step guide to navigating the remote interview process for a Balinese nanny.
The Set-Up
Before you schedule the call, set yourself up for success by understanding the logistical context.
1. The Tool: WhatsApp Video is King
Do not ask a Balinese nanny to download Zoom, Microsoft Teams, or Google Meet. WhatsApp is the primary mode of communication in Indonesia; it is what they are comfortable with. Ensure you have a decent connection and be patient with occasional Bali internet hiccups.
2. Time Zone Awareness
Bali is UTC+8. Be mindful of scheduling. A request for a 9:00 AM interview London time means late afternoon for them, which is fine. But asking for an evening call in US time zones might mean waking them up in the middle of the night. Mid-day Bali time is usually best.
3. Keep it Brief (The Initial Screen)
Aim for 15–20 minutes maximum. This is a screening call to check “vibes” and safety protocols. You are not looking for their entire life story; you are looking for red flags and green lights.
The Interview Structure
Structure the call into three distinct parts to ensure you cover the essentials without getting sidetracked by pleasantries.
The “Vibe Check” (5 Minutes)
Balinese culture is incredibly warm and child-centric. A good nanny should exude that warmth, even through a pixelated screen. If they seem cold, disinterested, or very stiff after the initial hellos, trust your gut.
- The Warm-Up: Start with simple questions to get them relaxing and gauge their functional English level.
- “How is your day going in Bali? Is it busy there right now?”
- “How long have you been working with tourists’ children?”
- What to look for: Smiles, genuine engagement, and easy laughter. When you mention your kids’ names or ages, their faces should light up.
The Hard Safety Questions (10 Minutes)
This is the most critical section. You must be direct. Politeness is important, but clarity on safety is non-negotiable.
- The Pool Question (Crucial): Most Bali villas have unfenced pools. Many wonderful Balinese women cannot swim strong laps or tread deep water. You need to know the reality.
- Don’t ask: “Can you swim?” (Too vague. A “yes” might mean doggy-paddling in the shallow end).
- Ask instead: “Are you confident swimming in the deep end of a pool? If my 3-year-old fell into deep water, could you jump in and get them out?”
- Follow up with The Rule: Regardless of their answer, state your expectation: “We have a strict rule: no swimming for the children unless a parent is sitting right there watching. Are you comfortable enforcing that rule?”
- Emergency Scenarios: Test their instincts. You want to know they will act fast and immediately loop you in, rather than trying to handle a crisis alone.
- Ask: “If my child fell on the villa tiles and got a bad cut on their head that was bleeding, what is the very first thing you would do?” (The correct answer must involve: Comforting the child AND immediately calling the parents or villa manager for medical help).
- Ask (for infants/toddlers): “What do you do if a baby chokes on food?” (If hiring through an agency, they should mention current First Aid training. If freelance, look for practical, calm answers about clearing the airway).
Experience & Expectations (5 Minutes)
Gauge if their experience matches your specific stage of parenting.
- Age Matching: A nanny experienced with resilient school-aged kids might be overwhelmed by a fragile newborn.
- Ask: “My children are 2 and 4 years old. What kind of activities do you usually do with those ages?” (Look for engagement: “We play Lego, we draw, we look for geckos in the garden,” rather than just passive answers like “I watch them.”)
- The Scope of Work: Be clear that this is a childcare role, not a housekeeping role.
- Say: “We are looking for someone whose only focus is playing with the kids, feeding them lunch, and keeping them safe around the pool. We don’t need cleaning or laundry done. Is that okay with you?”
Reading Between the Lines (Cultural Nuance)
Since you aren’t in the room, you have to read the subtle cues, some of which are cultural.
- The “Yes” Trap: In Indonesian culture, it is sometimes considered rude or confrontational to say a direct “no.” They might say “yes, can” to everything you ask just to be polite and agreeable. This is why open-ended scenario questions (like the emergency question above) are much better than yes/no questions.
- Connection Issues vs. Evasion: Internet in Bali is spotty. But if the video conveniently cuts out or freezes every time you ask a hard safety question, be suspicious.
- Distraction: Are they looking at their phone off-screen? Is there lots of background noise? They should be focused on you during the short interview.
The Final Vetting Step (Mandatory for Remote Hiring)
Because you cannot meet the nanny in person to see how they interact with your child, you must speak to someone who has.
- If hiring via an Agency: Ask the agency manager specific questions about their vetting process and confirm in writing that the nanny holds current CPR certification. You are relying on the agency’s reputation.
- If hiring Freelance: You must ask for the phone number (WhatsApp) of a previous family they have worked for.
- Do not skip this. Send a message to that family and ask for a quick 5-minute voice call.
- Ask them: “Did you feel 100% relaxed leaving your kids with her by the pool?” Their tone of voice when answering will tell you everything you need to know.
A remote interview won’t tell you everything, but it will filter out the wrong candidates. It tells you if the nanny is warm, communicative, and on the same page as you regarding safety rules. If the vibe on the call is good and the references check out, you can book them with confidence and look forward to a relaxing holiday.
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