Moving to Jakarta with a young child brings one question to the top of every parent's list: who will look after my little one while I work or settle in? Childcare in Indonesia works a little differently from what many expats are used to back home — the options, the costs, and even the vocabulary take some getting used to.
This guide walks you through everything you need to know about daycare in Jakarta as an expat parent: the types of care available, what they cost, the neighbourhoods most popular with international families, and a practical checklist for choosing a place you can trust.
Childcare Options in Jakarta
Expats in Jakarta generally choose between four kinds of care. Many families end up combining them (for example, a nanny at home plus a couple of mornings at a preschool).
| Option | Best for | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Daycare centre (penitipan anak) | Social interaction, routine, ages ~6 months–5 yrs | Rp 1.5–15 million/month |
| Nanny / helper (suster) | Flexible, one-on-one care at home | Rp 3–7 million/month |
| International preschool (full-day) | Structured curriculum, English environment | Rp 8–30 million/month |
| Home-based daycare | Smaller, homely setting, lower cost | Rp 1–4 million/month |
Local term to know: daycare is called "penitipan anak" (literally "child entrusting") or "daycare" — both are widely used. A nanny or caregiver is a "suster" or "pengasuh." Knowing these words makes searching and asking around much easier.
Daycare centres
A daycare centre (penitipan anak) cares for groups of children, usually from around six months up to school age, with set opening hours (often 7am–6pm to fit working parents). Quality ranges enormously — from modest neighbourhood homes to polished, air-conditioned centres with Montessori materials and English-speaking staff.
Nannies and domestic helpers
Live-in and live-out help is far more common and affordable in Indonesia than in most Western countries, which is why many expat families hire a nanny (suster) rather than — or alongside — daycare. A nanny offers one-on-one care and total flexibility, but without the socialisation and structure a daycare provides.
International preschools with full-day care
Many international and bilingual preschools in Jakarta offer full-day or extended-day programmes that effectively double as daycare. These are the most expensive option but give you an English-speaking environment and a structured early-years curriculum. For the full rundown — top schools, curricula, and fees — see our guide to preschools and kindergartens in Jakarta.
Daycare or a Nanny? The Classic Expat Decision
This is the choice most newly arrived families wrestle with. There's no universal answer — it depends on your child's age, your working hours, and your budget.
A nanny makes sense if you want flexible hours, one-on-one attention, help with an infant, or care in your own home. It's often the cheaper route in Jakarta.
A daycare makes sense if you want your child to socialise with other children, follow a routine, and begin structured play and early learning — and if you'd rather not manage an employee at home.
Many expat families start with a nanny for the baby stage, then add a few mornings of daycare or preschool from around 18 months–2 years, when children benefit most from playing with peers.
How Much Does Daycare Cost in Jakarta?
Costs vary widely by neighbourhood, facilities, and how "international" the setting is. As a rough guide for 2026 (always confirm directly, as fees change):
| Tier | What you get | Monthly (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Neighbourhood / local | Indonesian-language, simple facilities | Rp 1.5–4 million (~US$95–260) |
| Mid-range / bilingual | Some English, better facilities, activities | Rp 4–8 million (~US$260–520) |
| Premium / international-style | English environment, curriculum, expat areas | Rp 8–15 million+ (~US$520–970+) |
Many centres also offer daily or drop-in rates — typically Rp 100,000–350,000 per day — which are useful if you only need occasional cover. Watch for extras on top of the base fee: registration, meals, diapers, and annual materials.
Advertised monthly fees rarely tell the whole story. Ask specifically about one-time registration fees, meal charges, late-pickup penalties, and holiday-month billing before you commit.
Best Areas for Expat Families
Most international families cluster in South Jakarta (Jakarta Selatan) and a few satellite townships, where English-friendly daycares and international schools are concentrated.
- Kemang — the classic expat neighbourhood; plenty of international preschools, playgroups, and family cafés.
- Cipete & Pejaten — quieter, leafy, popular with young families, close to Kemang.
- Pondok Indah — upscale, home to international schools and premium daycares.
- Kebayoran Baru & Senopati (SCBD area) — central, convenient for working parents in the business district.
- BSD City & Bintaro — satellite townships south-west of the city, spacious and family-friendly, with several international schools (a common choice for families with cars and a longer-term stay).
If you search locally, you'll also see results split by city zone — daycare Jakarta Selatan, Barat, Timur, Pusat, Utara — so it's worth narrowing to your specific area.
How to Choose a Daycare: A Checklist
Because standards vary so much, visit in person and ask plenty of questions. Look for:
- Licensing — a registered, permitted centre (izin operasional). Ask to see it.
- Caregiver-to-child ratio — the lower the better, especially for babies and toddlers.
- Safety and hygiene — clean spaces, secure entry, hand-washing routines, and often CCTV.
- Language environment — do staff speak English, Indonesian, or both? Decide what matters for your family.
- Curriculum and play — is there structured early-learning (e.g. Montessori) or mostly free play?
- Food — meals provided, allergy handling, and whether food is halal (most is).
- Hours and flexibility — opening times, late-pickup rules, and daily vs monthly options.
- A trial day — a good centre will happily let your child visit before you enrol.
Language and Cultural Notes
A few things that catch expat parents off guard — none of them dealbreakers, just good to know:
- Language: Many daycares operate primarily in Bahasa Indonesia. This can actually be a lovely, natural way for your child to pick up the local language, but if you want an English-first setting, look to international preschools or bilingual centres in the expat areas above.
- Food: Meals are usually rice-based and halal. Flag any allergies or dietary needs clearly and in writing.
- Holidays: Expect closures around Idul Fitri (Lebaran) and other national and religious holidays — the Lebaran break in particular can last a week or more.
- Helper culture: Don't be surprised that hiring a nanny is common and accepted; it's a normal part of family life for many households in Jakarta.
Getting Started: Practical Tips
- Documents: Have your child's passport, immunisation records, and your family's KITAS/visa details ready — some centres ask for these.
- Waitlists: Sought-after international preschools can have waitlists, so enquire early, ideally before you arrive.
- Settle gradually: A phased start (short days at first) helps young children — and jet-lagged newcomers — adjust more smoothly.
- Ask other parents: Expat parent groups and neighbourhood WhatsApp communities are gold for honest, current recommendations.
FAQs — Daycare in Jakarta for Expats
Daycare is commonly called "penitipan anak" (literally "child entrusting") in Indonesian, though the English word "daycare" is also widely understood. A nanny or caregiver is called a "suster" or "pengasuh."
As a rough 2026 guide, neighbourhood daycares run about Rp 1.5–4 million per month, mid-range bilingual centres Rp 4–8 million, and premium international-style centres Rp 8–15 million or more. Many also offer daily rates of roughly Rp 100,000–350,000. Always confirm fees and extras directly.
Many daycare centres accept children from around six months old, though some take babies younger and others start from one year. Structured preschool programmes usually begin between two and three years of age.
It depends on your needs. A nanny offers flexible, one-on-one care at home and is often more affordable in Jakarta, while a daycare gives your child routine and the chance to socialise with other children. Many families combine both.
Some do, especially international preschools and bilingual centres in expat areas like Kemang, Cipete, and Pondok Indah. Many neighbourhood daycares operate mainly in Bahasa Indonesia, so ask about the language environment when you visit.
South Jakarta — particularly Kemang, Cipete, Pejaten, Pondok Indah, and Kebayoran Baru — is the traditional expat hub, along with satellite townships like BSD City and Bintaro. These areas have the highest concentration of English-friendly daycares and international schools.
Finding the right daycare in Jakarta takes a little legwork, but the city has options for every family and budget — from homely neighbourhood penitipan anak to full English-language international preschools. Start early, visit in person, lean on the local expat community, and trust your instincts. With the right setup in place, both you and your little one will settle into Jakarta life far more easily.
Written By
Andi Fathimah Nurrahmah
Preschool curriculum specialist and educator.
