Childcare Volunteering Abroad Programs
Are you passionate about the wellbeing and development of children around the world? International Volunteer HQ’s Childcare volunteer opportunities abroad enable you to explore a new culture and gain experience working with children, while educating the next generation.
IVHQ offers affordable Childcare volunteering programs in Africa, Europe, Asia, Central America, North America, South America, the Caribbean, the Middle East and the Pacific.
Every year, thousands of volunteers join our Childcare volunteer programs, helping to promote better health and education outcomes for children in under-resourced communities. As a Childcare volunteer, you’ll work alongside local staff in childcare centres and provide essential care and support to children who lack access to these resources.
- Choose from 40 Childcare programs across 26 destinations worldwide
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Work alongside local staff - no previous experience required
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Gain experience teaching, tutoring and caring for children
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Get an internationally recognised online TEFL course at a discounted rate
Why do Childcare volunteering with IVHQ?
What to expect from Childcare volunteering abroad
IVHQ’s Childcare volunteers provide assistance in a range of environments, including community and day care centres, after school programs and kindergartens. Volunteer work is led by local staff and tasks vary depending on the specific placement, but generally involve providing personalised attention, mentoring and educational support, and assisting with daily operations.
The aim of these projects is to provide operational support to under-resourced childcare centres, while fostering a two-way cultural exchange between international volunteers, children and staff.
IVHQ’s Childcare projects are well-suited to those with a warm, caring nature and a passion for working with children. You’ll play an important role in working alongside local staff to improve children’s educational and emotional needs, so no experience is necessary.
Learn more about our available Childcare volunteer opportunities abroad in the destinations below.
Best Childcare volunteer opportunities abroad
Showing 12 of 40 projects
Why go abroad as a childcare volunteer?
In many of the communities that IVHQ serves, children have limited access to the resources and support they need to succeed. With the help of volunteers, schools and childcare centres have more resources to provide safe places for children to learn and grow. With additional access to strong support networks, children can build healthy, fulfilling lives and be more likely to break the cycle of poverty.
The impacts of childcare volunteering are far-reaching and benefit more than just the children you interact with. When childcare centres are better resourced, it frees up parents to go to work and make a living. It also fosters a more open and diverse community for future generations. For many children in remote communities, this will be their first time interacting with individuals from a different background. Being exposed to new ways of thinking and the English language is very beneficial - especially considering many of these communities rely on tourism, and thus employ individuals with these skills.
As an IVHQ volunteer, you can feel confident that you will have a meaningful impact, while developing your global awareness and opening the minds of the children to new cultures and possibilities.
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 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
”IVHQ really fostered a collective atmosphere of the volunteer spirit. It was very contagious and spread around our whole house. My favorite moment from my volunteer placement was one day at the boys' orphanage, I had brought water balloons from home and didn't know if the boys would understand how they worked and I was nervous to show them. I guess it's true that boys will be boys no matter where they are from, because they immediately grabbed the hose and began a water fight. Afterwards the orphanage manager called me over for tea, and I remember sitting there drinking the most delicious tea and watching the boys all running around playing. It was the most perfect moment, I revisit it all the time.”
Jessica Silverman, American, 18
Childcare volunteer in Sri Lanka
