Childcare Volunteer Program in Ghana - Accra Region
Excited to be a Childcare volunteer in Ghana? International Volunteer HQ’s Childcare project enables volunteers to gain experience in early childhood education in local communities in Ghana. Volunteers help provide education, care and attention to children from low-income families to ensure they are given the best possible opportunities and are supported in their health and learning.
Highlights:
- Programs start on the 1st and 15th of every month
- Affordable fees from CA$415 for 1 week
- Includes accommodation, meals, airport pick up, orientation and 24/7 support
-
Help with education, games and meal times in schools in rural communities
-
Meet the friendly people of Ghana
-
Stay with other volunteers in a rural village
Key information
This program is ideal for:
What to expect and how you'll make an impact
Rural communities in Ghana often don’t have access to proper childcare facilities. Volunteers on the Childcare project can help to address this by assisting with all aspects of early childhood education and helping make sure these children have what they need to develop and thrive. This is done in an informal manner, with less classroom time and more support outside lessons.
As a Childcare volunteer you’ll be based in local schools where you’ll assist local teachers with younger students. There may also be the opportunity to introduce your own educational activities and lessons.
Childcare volunteer work varies but usually includes:
- Providing care and support to children
- Assisting with homework
- Sharing your language and culture
- Playing games
- Helping with food preparation and meal distribution
You’re welcome to bring along books, pencils, basic first aid supplies and musical instruments to help your volunteering. These supplies can generally be purchased in Ghana, which also supports the local economy.
Please note the school year is broken up into three terms, with four week breaks in between. Because you generally work with children in schools, if you apply for the Childcare project during holiday breaks, it may be unavailable. During these times, you’re able to work with school directors and placement staff on school holiday workshops instead. These often include fun and physical activities that you will be able to lead in English.
Why do Childcare volunteering in Ghana with IVHQ?
When you volunteer with children in Ghana you’ll be adding value to the local community, while also developing personally and professionally by:
- Improving access to education and food for rural children
- Helping children develop life skills in a safe place
- Developing your communication skills
- Gaining childcare experience
- Working with local teachers
- Immersing yourself fully in the Ghanian way of life
- Discovering Ghana’s history and culture
Volunteer requirements
Volunteers need to be 18 years or over to participate in this program, unless accompanied by a parent or guardian. If you are under the age of 18, IVHQ offers alternative volunteer opportunities for teens. Visit our High School Volunteer Abroad page to learn more. All volunteers are required to have adequate volunteer travel insurance and provide a criminal background check to IVHQ before departure.
Are you eligible to volunteer?
Submit a free application so we can confirm your eligibility and check availability for your preferred dates.
Apply For FreeNot sure which program to join?
Ghana photo gallery
Academic course credit
Gain course credit from your college or university and meet your academic requirements when completing a volunteer abroad program with International Volunteer HQ!
Learn about course credit
Recommended online TEFL course
We encourage volunteers on IVHQ’s Teaching and Childcare projects to come prepared by completing some relevant training, such as a Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) course. Although formal teaching qualifications are not required on these projects as volunteers are supported by local staff, taking a TEFL course enables you to gain more from the experience. Visit our Online TEFL Course page to learn how to gain an internationally recognized TEFL certification at a discounted rate.
Get TEFL certified online”Very good communication from IVHQ team, preparation before trip was extremely useful and informative, guidance from IVHQ was very effective and helpful. The local team were extremely supportive, welcoming and friendly. Benedict was very informative at the orientation meeting. My favourite moment from the program was getting to experience life in a different ...” read more
Taylor, British, 22
Read reviews from Childcare volunteers in Ghana
See more reviews
Location
When you volunteer in Ghana with IVHQ, you’ll get the opportunity to experience the country’s vibrant, diverse culture and get to know the people who are said to be some of the friendliest locals in Western Africa. While Ghana is a rapidly developing country which has seen an economic upturn in the last decade, there are still many places where people face the challenges poverty brings. This is especially true outside of the major cities in the rural areas where volunteers are most needed.
Rural volunteer placements are typically in low-income areas which often lack the funding, labor and resources they need to develop their communities. By choosing to volunteer in Ghana you can make a real difference by assisting with local initiatives that seek to improve the quality of life for the people who live there.
Arrival and orientation
The program orientation begins on the 1st and 15th of every month, or just on the 15th of every month for those taking part in the Healthcare Outreach & Education project. Volunteers need to arrive in Accra on the day before orientation.
After you have registered for the program, please book your flights to arrive at Kotoka International Airport (ACC) in Accra. Your airport pick-up is included in your Program Fee.
When you arrive, you will be greeted at the airport by a member of the local team and taken to the volunteer accommodation in Accra. Please note that you will stay in Accra city for one night, unless it is the weekend, in which case you will stay in the city until Monday morning. Once you have completed your orientation, you will move to a rural community in the greater Accra region where you will be placed for the remainder of your stay. Your accommodation is covered by your Program Fee and includes the night before your program orientation.
If you are traveling in Ghana prior to your volunteer program, we can arrange for you to be picked up at a prearranged location in Accra on the day before your program orientation.
Orientation is hosted by our local team in Accra and begins on the morning of your chosen start date. This covers everything you need to know for your volunteer program Ghana – an introduction to Ghana, culture and customs, rules and expectations, safety, travel opportunities, and an introduction to project and placement. The orientation will also give you a chance to meet other volunteers and swap contact details for weekend travel and socializing.
After orientation you will be taken to your placement in a rural Ghanian community.
Volunteer schedule example
First Day
On the first day of volunteering, volunteers will be escorted to their placement by a local coordinator and introduced to the placement staff they will be working with. A typical daily schedule would be as follows:
| 7:30 AM | Breakfast at the volunteer house. |
| 8:00 AM | Travel to placement to join local placement staff and begin work on your project. There is usually a tea break and a lunch break. |
| 2:00 - 5:00 PM | Work at the project usually ends and you are free to relax and use the remainder of the day as you wish. |
| 6:30 PM | Dinner at the volunteer accommodation. |
Please note this schedule can vary depending on your project and placement.
Weekends
During the weekends, volunteers have spare time and usually just relax or take the opportunity to discover the brilliant colors, music, food, fashion, history and nature that combine to make Ghana a true feast for the senses. Head to the capital city of Accra to see markets, museums and live music, or take a trip to Cape Coast and Elmina where you’ll find the Elmina Slave Castle - the first trading post built South of the Sahara - and pretty, palm-lined beaches where you can relax in the sun. You can also spend long weekends visiting other Western African countries like the neighbouring nations of Côte d’Ivoire and Togo.
Looking for more ideas of things to do in Ghana? Check out our Ghana Travel & Tours page!
Accommodation and WiFi
You’ll stay in a volunteer house with other volunteers. There are separate rooms for male and female volunteers with shared common room and toilet facilities. Living is basic but the majority of volunteer houses have electricity, while only few have running water. Power cuts are common in Ghana and most rural houses do not have running water during times of drought. Pillows and sheets are provided, however it is recommended that you bring your own towels and mosquito nets - or buy them in Ghana.
There is WiFi access available at local cafes and restaurants in a nearby village, which is a 15 to 20 minute walk from the volunteer accommodation. You can also purchase a local SIM card with data for an unlocked mobile phone to keep connected.
Meals
Volunteers in Ghana are served three meals per day. Breakfast generally consists of tea and coffee, and a hot breakfast. A typical lunch and dinner can include meat and vegetables with rice or noodles. If you have special dietary requirements, please let us know ahead of time so that we can make arrangements for you.
Pricing
Duration |
Program FeeDue 30 days before you start, or within 48 hours if you register inside of 30 days. Covers the cost of hosting you.
|
|---|---|
| 1 week | CA$415 Equivalent to CA$59/day |
| 2 weeks | CA$613 Equivalent to CA$44/day |
| 3 weeks | CA$782 Equivalent to CA$37/day |
| 4 weeks | CA$951 Equivalent to CA$34/day |
| 5 weeks | CA$1120 Equivalent to CA$32/day |
| 6 weeks | CA$1332 Equivalent to CA$32/day |
| 8 weeks | CA$1740 Equivalent to CA$31/day |
| 10 weeks | CA$2149 Equivalent to CA$31/day |
| 12 weeks | CA$2572 Equivalent to CA$31/day |
| 16 weeks | CA$3446 Equivalent to CA$31/day |
| 20 weeks | CA$4320 Equivalent to CA$31/day |
| 24 weeks | CA$5194 Equivalent to CA$31/day |
- Accommodation
- Meals
- 24/7 in-country support
- In-country program orientation
- Pre-departure support from your Program Manager
- Airport pick-up
- Personalized preparation tools, guides and check lists
- Access to IVHQ’s preferred insurance and flights partners
- Certificate of International Volunteer Service
Learn more about what's included in your IVHQ Registration Fee and Program Fee.
- All programs attract a Registration Fee of US$329 (approximately CA$463) in addition to the Program Fee. This covers all pre-departure support services. IVHQ fees are priced in USD but you may elect to pay in CAD.
- A 5% international banking fee is added at point of payment.
- Additional things to budget for include: Visa, flights, travel insurance (mandatory), vaccinations, criminal background check, public transport to and from your placement each day and return to the airport when your program finishes.
- Recommended spending money: Volunteers in Ghana generally find US$50 to be sufficient for weekly expenses, including water, toilet paper, transport and miscellaneous spending.
Check what's required to visit Ghana
Check out the widget below to find out what the Covid-19 restrictions and visa requirements are for Ghana, based on your country of residence.
Safety and support
IVHQ follows best practice and industry-leading health and safety procedures, which are regularly reviewed and optimized as part of the B Corporation recertification.
- All volunteers encouraged to complete our interactive pre-departure training.
- All local teams trained on best practice volunteer management & First Aid.
- All IVHQ programs are required to adhere to IVHQ's Risk Management Policy.
- All volunteers have access to 24/7 in-country support from our local team.
Essential country information
| Capital | Accra |
| Population | 30.42 million |
| Languages | English |
| Currency | Ghanian Cedi (GHS) |
| Time zone | UTC+00:00 |
Weather and climate
Weather and climate: Ghana has a tropical climate and the average temperature falls between 21°C to 28°C (70°F to 82°F). In the north, there is a rainy season from April to June and September to November. The rainy season in the south lasts from April to mid-November. The weather is typically humid however, over the dry season, desert winds in the north can create cooler evenings and a drier atmosphere.
