One Thing We Will Never Do Again When Travelling To Bali.......

May 23, 2025

And that is Not Book a Nanny!

In 2022, after years of dreaming of travelling again without the dreaded COVID restrictions, we finally returned to Bali — three kids in tow. Our youngest was just 3 months old, the middle child was 3, and our eldest had just turned 5. We checked into the Hard Rock, full of optimism and beachy dreams... and then reality hit.

Between toilet trips, sunscreen applications, constant kid head counts, nap schedules, nappy changes, and the dreaded bedtime meltdowns, my husband and I hardly had a second together. We were tag-teaming logistics instead of enjoying our holiday. Meanwhile, there was a couple we noticed daily — same number of kids, same ages, but a completely different vibe. They were sipping cocktails, playing with their kids without the constant stress, and even managed to enjoy a quiet drink at the pool bar each evening while their kids were sound asleep.

The difference? They had a nanny.

hard rock 2022

Why We Hesitated

We’d never really considered hiring a nanny before. The idea felt foreign — even uncomfortable. How could we trust someone with our babies? But watching that family made something click. Hiring a nanny doesn’t have to mean ditching your kids for the day. It can mean an extra set of hands and eyes. Someone to help with the repetitive tasks so you can focus on the fun.

The Game Changer

Six months later, we returned to Bali for Christmas and New Year’s — but this time, we were prepared. We booked a nanny, and let me tell you, it changed everything.

Yes, it felt weird at first. We were hesitant to ask them to change nappies or take the baby for naps — things we’re "supposed" to do as parents. But within minutes of meeting our nanny, she just... knew. She took over the little things that take hours out of your day. Our baby was cared for lovingly while we got to spend real, quality time with our older kids — together, as a couple.

What It Looked Like

For the first few days, our nanny helped mostly with our then-9-month-old. She’d take him for naps, bottle-feed, change him — everything that usually pulled us away from the rest of the family. Our older kids could swim and play, and one of us didn’t have to leave constantly to tend to the baby.

That New Year’s Eve, we stayed at the Hard Rock’s pool party with our 5-year-old, watching the fireworks — while our younger boys slept peacefully in the room. It was the first time it truly felt like a holiday.

hard rock kuta

Now It’s a Tradition

We’ve returned to Bali five times since — four of those trips with the same incredible nannies. They’ve become like family — not only to us, but to our kids. Every year, we stay at the Grand Mirage in Nusa Dua with three other families (eight kids total — we’re outnumbered!), and each family books their own nanny.

We spend the morning with the kids — breakfast, pool time, play.
Around 11–12, the nannies arrive. If the kids want to stay with us, great. If they want to head to the kids club, even better.
Since kids club only supervises 4-year-olds and up, our nanny stays with the younger ones so they’re not left out. The nannies supervise, assist, and send us updates via WhatsApp.
We finally get to visit the adults-only area of the resort — something we never even knew existed before!

grand mirage nusa dua

In the afternoons, we usually return to the kids pool for a swim together — and this is where the nannies become absolutely vital. Every parent knows how challenging it is to manage young kids in a crowded hotel pool. Let me set the scene: one side of the pool has a massive water slide where the boys are constantly going up and down, the middle our older girls are pretending to be mermaids diving for toys, and at the opposite end, the toddlers are splashing in the little kids' area. It’s nearly impossible to be present with everyone — unless you have incredible nannies.

Without even needing to be asked, they coordinate among themselves, keeping eyes on each child and communicating who’s covering what area. While other families rely on one lifeguard, we had three additional sets of eyes. Us parents could relax and rotate through each activity, actually enjoying time with the kids without the usual stress.

It’s the definition of freedom on a family holiday: happy kids, relaxed parents, and absolutely no guilt.

Who We Trust

We ONLY use Bali Best Babysitting, and we will not use anyone else. This company is beyond amazing — from the initial booking to the way the nannies care for your children, everything is exceptional. Communication is always on point, and in the rare case of a last-minute cancellation due to illness or family emergencies, they always manage to find a replacement.

What makes them stand out is their flexibility — you don’t need to lock in a rigid schedule. At the end of each day, they simply ask what time you’d like them to come the next day. Perfect for a relaxed holiday routine! They offer:

Holiday Nannies: A minimum of 6 hours per day. During school holidays, the minimum is 8 hours per day for at least 7 days.
Casual Nannies: Great for families wanting shorter blocks of help, typically around 4 hours.

They only employ the best of the best. While they may not have a huge pool of nannies, the quality far outweighs quantity — and when it comes to your kids, that matters most. These women are CPR and first-aid certified, strong swimmers, speak excellent English, and are beyond reliable.

They’re not just babysitters — they’re like Mary Poppins and fairy godmothers rolled into one. They understand that you want to spend time with your kids — not hand them off — but sometimes, the best way to connect as a family is to have help with the draining parts so you can focus on the joy.

They’ll come to villas, hotels, and even day excursions. I believe they can also arrange live-in nannies for more remote locations like Lembongan or the Gili Islands.

We’ve never actually ventured out of the hotel without our kids — not because we wouldn’t feel comfortable, but because it’s simply not something we’ve wanted to do. In the end, we’re there to spend time with the family. And if we were to venture out, we’d want our kids to experience it with us.

That said, one thing’s for sure: when the kids are older and we can truly show them what Bali has to offer — the culture, the beauty, the adventures — we’ll definitely be taking our nanny with us. But for now, Bali to us is a week of true relaxation, poolside cocktails, endless giggles, and fun in the pool.

What Does It Cost?

Hiring a nanny in Bali is ridiculously affordable. Rates average around $8.50 AUD per hour.

Tips aren’t required — but after seeing how hard these incredible women work (especially while caring for your babies), we feel they absolutely deserve one! They go above and beyond every single day and make your holiday feel like a true break.

So be generous — a little extra kindness goes a long way, and they’ll appreciate it more than you know. We always tip well, and honestly, we wouldn’t do it any other way.

cocktail bali 2022

Our Amazing Helpers

I’ll probably regret sharing this if it means we struggle to book them in future — but these ladies deserve the recognition! Our go-to nannies are Nanny Wayan A and Nanny Rai — absolute angels who have worked with Bali Best Babysitting for over 10 years. Wayan’s sisters also work for the company, and during our most recent trip, we met Nanny Lucy and Nanny Coco as they cared for our friends’ children. Everyone came home saying the same thing: "We’re never coming back to Bali without them."

Bonus: Wayan has a fourth sister working with Bali Best Babysitting — talk about a family-run powerhouse. If you’re travelling with multiple families like we often do, you can book the whole group — a dream team of care, trust, and love.

Final Note

So what I’m really trying to say is: I think there’s a misconception about hiring a nanny and why people do it. Hiring a nanny doesn’t have to mean you want to ditch the kids and holiday without them (though if that’s your vibe — go for it, no judgment here!). For us, it’s about finding the perfect balance between quality family time, couple time, and a little solo time.

Every family is different in what they feel comfortable with, and that’s absolutely fine. For example, I don’t think I’ll ever feel comfortable letting anyone take the kids swimming unless one of us is there — not because I don’t trust the nannies, but because I’d find it hard even letting close friends or family do that. That’s just me. So do what works for you, find your balance, and give yourself permission to enjoy your holiday.

Trust me — hiring a nanny in Bali just might be the best decision you ever make.