Bali’s an awesome place for families, and there’s no doubt that you can have an amazing time with your kids as you visit places like the Ubud Monkey Forest and the beach in Canggu.
But you deserve a break, too, right? And it’s hard to enjoy a spa day or a quiet meal if you’ve got the little ones running around, grabbing at you with sticky hands, and howling for “mum!” when they have a disagreement.
Well, the good news is that you can enjoy a half day (or more) apart from your kids and your children can play, learn and make new friends while you spend some time recharging. That’s a win-win for the whole family.
We’ve got five great daycare centres for you to choose from that will ensure that your kids have a great time in Bali, and so do you.
Why Is Daycare In Bali A Good Idea?
Daycare is different from the hotel kids club. It’s a place where you can leave your children certain that they’re in a safe environment under the watchful eye of child care professionals and then you can go and enjoy some free time.
Whereas a kids club is perfect when you want to chill by the pool and you want some professional staff to keep your kids entertained while knowing that you’re close by if they need anything.
Children tend to love daycare as it’s an environment where they can play, learn and have a ton of fun with others of their own age. Most kids come back from daycare centres saying they’ve had a great time and can’t wait to go back again.
And the good news is that this is Bali, so you won’t be paying through the nose for daycare, it’s very reasonable and thus, perfect for keeping the little ones entertained while you go and do something that your kids might not enjoy like a spa day or spending some time at FINNS Beach Club, the world’s best beach club.
Cheeky Monkeys Learning Centre: A Playtime Party
Cheeky Monkeys Learning Centre is a daycare centre that is all about good vibes for the youngsters.
They accept children from ages 1 through 10 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. every weekday.
What’s on offer at Cheeky Monkeys? Well, lush gardens, arts and crafts, and mini discos! Yes, your kids will be having the time of their lives when they visit this place.
They use the British EYFS curriculum as the basis for all they do and they add a Balinese accent to everything to ensure that your little ones remember their time on the island – think storytelling and natural play.
Parents say that they love the environment at Cheeky Monkeys and they say the outdoor playground and setup here is absolutely brilliant.
It’s ideal for taking a full day off from your kids, while you go surfing, hit up the shops or a spa or just sit around and sip coffee in cafe.
We should warn you, your kids may not want to leave this place at thee end of the day.
Where Is It? Cheeky Monkeys, Jl. Danau Tamblingan No.82, Sanur, Denpasar Selatan, Kota Denpasar, Bali 80228
Online: Cheeky Monkeys
Bali Life Daycare And Kindergarten: Ungasan’s Cozy Gem Of A Child Care Centre
Bali Life Daycare is in the upmarket district of Ungasan on the Bukit Peninsula and it was one of the first places to open in this area.
Their sweet spot for ages is 1 through 6, and they open at 7.30 a.m. and run all the way through to 6.30 p.m. which is much longer hours than most places.
They have small groups (a maximum of 15 kids per room) so your kids will get plenty of personal attention.
On offer is outdoor play, snacks and some lovely nap zones where kids can crash when they’re worn out.
Best of all, when you use their facilities you are supporting charitable work for underprivileged kids through the Bali Life Foundation!
So, feel good about dropping off your little ones and go out and enjoy yourselves!
Where Is It? Jl. Pura Masuka No.#77, Ungasan, Kec. Kuta Sel., Kabupaten Badung, Bali 80361
Online: Bali Life
Umalas Kids Club: A Creative Place For Lifelong Learning At Their Own Pace
The Umalas Kids Club is a classic place for kids from 6 months old to 6 years old.
It’s in Kerobokan and a very popular place with parents in the know here in Bali.
They’ve got lovely big, bright rooms, a treehouse and more toys than we’ve ever seen brought together outside of a toy store!
This centre offers specific programs for learning such as “Teddy Bear” for babies and “Busy Butterflies” for preschool children.
The activities are awesome and include Balinese dance and cooking!
Best of all it’s on the doorstep of Canggu and Seminyak so you can make that day out at FINNS a reality or throw yourself into some heavy shopping in the local boutiques.
Where Is It? Umalas Kids Club, Jl. Umalas Lestari No.28, Kerobokan, Kec. Kuta Utara, Kabupaten Badung, Bali 80361
Online: Umalas Kids Club
The Garden Early Learning Centre: Canggu’s Chilled Out Option
This awesome daycare centre in Canggu is for kids aged from 6 months old to 7 years old. It opens at 8 a.m. each day and closes at 5 p.m.
We love the vibe here and it’s part preschool, part daycare centre, and has one of the biggest gardens we’ve ever seen for outdoor play sessions.
There’s an emphasis on hands-on activities here and your kids enjoy music, crafts, cooking and much more!
One nice thing about this place is it has both hourly and daily rates so that you can get the best deal for your circumstances.
It’s very central and there are plenty of cafes nearby to grab a coffee at before you decide where to go next!
Where Is It? The Garden Early Learning Centre, Jl. Raya Semat No.18A, Canggu, Kec. Kuta Utara, Kabupaten Badung, Bali 80361
Online: The Garden
Little Captain Daycare: Denpasar’s Shining Star
Little Captain may not be in the best location for your little stars, if you’re in the area then this daycare in Denpasar is getting rave reviews from parents.
There are organized activities and classes available but if kids don’t want to take part, they’re free to organize their own play sessions too.
There are lots of books to read and toys and games galore and the staff are among the friendliest on an island full of friendly people.
It’s an unpressured, safe environment that kids adore.
Where Is It? Gg. Tunjung Sari No.1000x, Sanur, Denpasar Selatan, Kota Denpasar, Bali 80228
Online: Instagram
Don’t Think Of Child Care As Akin To Primary School – Think Of It As An Early Years Adventure
These daycare centres are run by absolute professionals with real experience working with and caring for kids.
There are plenty of play times, meals, rest breaks and clean, safe spaces for your little ones to enjoy.
Most of them are drop-in friendly (unlike say, the Green School where you need to commit to, at least, one term) but it’s best to book if you want to be certain of a place.
Don’t be afraid to mix up this kind of care with the hotel kids club – it’s the best way to keep your children entertained on holiday here.
Booking Ahead Is Vital For A Happy Environment For Creative Play In Bali
We can’t stress enough that booking in advance is the best way to guarantee your kids a place at daycare.
While these places are drop-in friendly if they run out of spaces, you’re out of luck.
So, book via WhatsApp and then share your kid’s age, your hotel, anything that they might need to know (special needs, allergies, etc.) and be certain that your children will be running around in the sun at your preferred daycare provider.
We always book childcare when we book our hotel and flights. In the middle of peak season, this is essential.
Do These Holiday Programmes Offer A Safe Environment?
Yes. While nobody can guarantee that kids at play are 100% safe, these are professionally certified organizations with qualified staff and regular inspections to ensure they adhere to the standards expected of themm/
What’s This All Going To Cost?
That’s the good bit, you can get an hour of care from 100,000-200,00 IDR (that’s $6-$12 USD or $10-$20 AUD).
If you want a whole day – it can cost around 500,000 IDR, that’s about $30 USD or $50 AUD! When you think about childcare costs at home, they’re practically giving it away in Bali without cutting any corners.
What To Do While The Kids Are At Their Daycare Centre?
That’s up to you and depends on where you are on the island. Of course, we recommend coming to FINNS Beach Club, the world’s best beach club, at least once during your visit to Bali but the island has a lot of awesome places for you to visit.
How To Pick The Right Daycare Centre
We’d recommend picking a daycare centre with good reviews, that seems to fit the preferred vibe of your kids and which is close to your hotel. Do’t overcomplicate it.
Almost all daycare will be fun and your kids aren’t moving in to daycare, just taking a day out.
Note: We must stress that FINNS Beach Club is not in the childcare business. In fact, our door policy is to only admit children over the age of 16 here in Bali. That means we do not act as guarantors for any of these services listed here. We strongly encourage you to research any childcare provider you want to use and ensure that their current reviews and references are still in good order. Nobody can guarantee that your children will be perfectly safe anywhere, but you can hugely increase the chances of a safe environment by doing the research.
FAQs
What Is The Best Age To Send A Child To Daycare?
There is no best time in early years for your kids to start socializing with other children. The best preschools and early years authorities here say that children as young as 12 months old can start to spend a few hours in the company of other children as long as they are supervised by a parent.
But once your kids are comfortable around others of their own age group, they will usually start begging to go to daycare.
The big alternative here in Bali is to use the kids club, if you’re staying in one of the more upmarket hotels, these facilities are a lot of fun and while a kids club is not a babysitting service, it’s ideal for keeping your children entertained while you lounge around the pool with a cocktail or two.
Which Part Of Bali Is Best For Families?
We think there are currently three areas that are in contention for this title and we’d consider these parts of Bali for a family holiday:
Canggu – Canggu has the most to do of any area on the island, tis’ fun and vibrant and there are a lot of choices when it comes to accommodation. However, it’s best to keep the swimming to the swimming pools of this area as the currents at sea can be quite dangerous. The sand is awesome for sand castle building, though.
Nusa Dua – with glorious golden sands and some of the best brand name resorts on the island, you can’t dispute that Nusa Dua is a great spot for children and adults alike. However, it’s also quite expensive and it can be difficult to get from Nusa Dua to other parts of the island for a day trip.
Sanur – Sanur is more wallet-friendly, has one of the safest swimming beaches of anywhere on the island and the most glorious sunrise in the world. The promenade down the beachfront is well loved by children who can wander up and down enjoying Balinese life.
Where Is The Best Childcare In The World?
While Bali has exceptional facilities for a developing nation including Umalas Kids Club, Garden Early Learning Centre, Green School, Anak Atelier, Blue Dolphin Playskool, etc. it’s not a world leader in childcare by any stretch.
It won’t come as surprise that these nations are all high income nations and Demark, Sweden, Norway, Finaland and Switzerland are usually in the running for the top 5 global places.
However, don’t worry about that whilst taking a break here on the island, you kids will be fine at a hotel kids club or daycare centre for a short while. The sand pits are more than good enough for your little stars to have some fun during the week or two that you’re here.
Is Bali Any Good For Kids?
Yes! Bali is a great place for a holiday with children. Kids are welcome in almost every venue on the island (though a few, like FINNS Beach Club are adults only, to ensure that the little ones are kept away from alcohol and adult behaviour).
The Balinese people love kids and will go out of their way to play with them and entertain them in your resort or hotel. You can also easily find babysitting services in your hotel or with an online provider.
It’s easy to find a daycare centre like Umalas Kids Club, Garden EArly Learning Centre, Cheeky Monkeys Learning Centre, Anak Atelier, Blue Dolphin Playskool, etc.
And if you decide that you want to move to Bali, your kids can get an excellent education in places like Green School, Canggu Community School and Twin Flame school. Students and teachers here often discover that the educational programs are first rate.
Final Thoughts On Daycare In Bali
As you can see, there are plenty of options for daycare here in Bali and that means you can leave your kids for a few hours knowing that they’ll be playing in a stimulating environment with their own age group with facilities like an outdoor playground and swimming pool all while being supervised by professional staff.
Your little stars won’t be involved in school activities while enjoying these services that are conveniently located in the most popular spots on the island, though they will be learning through play.
Many of the best preschools in Bali work with the daycare providers to ensure that parents can be assured that their children have fun and still focus on developing their crafts, music skills, sports skills, arts skills, etc.
Read more:
The 23 Main Areas Of Bali: Your Top-Level Guide To The Hotspots Of Bali
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