The decision to take a family sabbatical in Amed is usually driven by a desire to downshift. You are trading the traffic and beach clubs of southern Bali for the looming shadow of Mount Agung, quiet black-sand bays, and a rhythm of life dictated by sunrise fishing boats rather than rush hour.
But moving your family’s life to a remote corner of East Bali for three or six months brings a different set of challenges than a one-week holiday. Without the structure of school or your home support network, the dream of a peaceful sabbatical can quickly become an endless cycle of meal prep, entertainment demands, and parental burnout.
To truly unlock the regenerative power of an Amed sabbatical, you need support. You don’t need a Friday night babysitter; you need a long-term nanny who can become a temporary part of your family ecosystem.
Here is how to navigate finding reliable, long-term childcare in Bali’s quietest corner.
The Amed “Vibe” vs. The South
If you are used to hiring nannies in Seminyak or Canggu, throw out that playbook. There are few slick nanny agencies with polished websites servicing Amed.
Amed is a string of traditional fishing villages. Life here revolves around the Banjar (local community community) and ceremonies. Finding a nanny here relies less on apps and more on the “village grapevine.”
The major advantage of this is authenticity. Amed nannies are rarely “professional tourists.” They are local mothers and aunts deeply embedded in their community. The care is often warmer, more personal, and offers a genuine window into Balinese culture that you won’t get in a high-turnover tourist hub.
Defining Your “Sabbatical Needs”
Before you start looking, define the role. A long-term hire is very different from a vacation hire.
- The Vacation Nanny: Keeps kids safe in the pool for 4 hours while parents have dinner.
- The Sabbatical Nanny: Is a partner in establishing a new routine.
For a long-term stay, you need someone who can:
- Handle Logistics: Navigate local markets to buy fruit, perhaps cook simple meals for the kids, or handle laundry.
- Provide Structure: If you are remote working, the nanny needs to maintain a schedule, not just provide constant entertainment.
- Facilitate Immersion: The best long-term nannies teach kids basic Bahasa Indonesia, take them to see local salt farming, or involve them in making daily offerings (Canang Sari).
The Search Strategy: Local Trust is Key
How do you find this person if they aren’t on Google?
1. Your Landlord is Your Best Resource If you are renting a villa for three months, your host is your primary connection. They likely have a cousin, sister, or neighbor experienced in childcare who is looking for steady work. A recommendation from a trusted landlord is gold in Amed, as their reputation is tied to your satisfaction.
2. The Expat Community “Whisper Network” Amed has a small, tight-knit community of long-term expats and dive instructors. Join local Amed Facebook groups before you arrive. Ask for recommendations from families who are leaving. The best nannies are often passed from one long-term family to the next.
3. The Crucial Trial Week Never commit to a 3-month contract immediately. Arrange a paid one-week trial. This is essential to see:
- Does their energy match your children’s?
- Are they punctual (considering “rubber time” in Bali)?
- Do you feel comfortable having them in your space constantly?
structuring the Arrangement: Money and Boundaries
Long-term arrangements require clear agreements to prevent friction.
The Financials: You cannot multiply a daily tourist rate by 30 days; it will be astronomically expensive. Long-term staff expect a monthly salary.
- Rates vary wildly based on hours and duties (e.g., is cleaning included?), but expect to pay a fair local wage that reflects the premium of childcare responsibility.
- Clarify who provides meals. It is customary to provide lunch or meal money if they are with you all day.
Live-in vs. Live-out: Amed is spread out over many kilometers.
- Live-out: Preferable for privacy, but ensure your nanny has reliable scooter transport to your villa.
- Live-in: Common if your villa has staff quarters. This offers immense flexibility for parents but requires clear boundaries on “on” and “off” time to avoid exploiting the nanny.
Cultural Flexibility: You are moving to a village in Bali. You must accept that there will be days when your nanny must attend a ceremony (cremation, temple anniversary). This is non-negotiable in their culture. Discuss upfront how these days will be handled (unpaid leave, swapped days, or paid time off).
The Gateway to a Real Break
A sabbatical in Amed is a chance to reset your family’s nervous system. Trying to do it all yourself often defeats the purpose.
By hiring a long-term nanny, you aren’t just buying free time; you are buying a bridge into the local community. You are giving your children a culturally rich experience and giving yourself permission to actually breathe in the quiet serenity you came here to find.