Child Care Volunteer in South Africa – Township Teaching at Doreen’s Crèche
As a Childcare Volunteer Educator, you will teach and care for bright children at Doreen’s Nursery School in South Africa. The well-established daycare center in Masiphumelele Township is about 45 minutes from the center of Cape Town. As a volunteer educator, you will live in the beautiful volunteer house in Fishhoek, also on the peninsula and just minutes from the beautiful beaches.
The nursery cares for over 60 children, ages 3 to 6, during the day while their parents work for a living. They take care of these dynamic and energetic children who require a lot of work. But your love and dedication is greatly appreciated.
The help of the volunteers is very much appreciated in the day care center
It is a lot of work to take care of all these enthusiastic and energetic children and the project needs a lot of help! And that’s where you are needed as childcare volunteers. If you have a lot of energy, are up for a challenge and enjoy spending time with children, then this is the perfect project for you.
While you are teaching maths, counting, telling stories and more you can have a lot of fun with these great kids!
Furthermore, you can have a positive influence on the education of these disadvantaged children by showing them affection and encouraging their talents. At the same time, you will have a lot of fun working with a team of motivated educators. Your work will basically consist of drawing, painting, playing games, reading and teaching these children every day. Last but not least, you will be living in Cape Town and enjoying all the beauty that this city has to offer. Who would have ever thought that helping could be so much fun?
Main focus in the work with the children
Teaching and befriending these great kids
Learning about life in the townships, their culture and history
Experiencing the wonderful South Africa and all that it entails.
A valuable educational role in the daycare center
Volunteer educators provide invaluable assistance in caring for all these adorable little rascals. Between the ages of three and six, they’re all lively, inquisitive and excited, so there’s plenty of running around and fun to be had. The help of extra hands means that each of these children gets a chance to have an educator spend time with them individually. This gives each child’s voice a chance to be noticed in all the hustle and bustle, and to be nurtured individually. As a volunteer educator, you can inspire the children with songs and rhymed poems to reinforce what they have learned. Of course, it is especially valuable if you teach the children English, which can be a great advantage later on for your job and career. They are always enthusiastic and love to sing and dance.
Play and free time
The volunteers also encourage the children to play and spend their free time, for example, modeling with Kent clay, coloring picture books. The children also like to be read fairy tales, do handicrafts or have fun running around and playing tag. You will supervise the mini-playground and help with the maintenance of the center, painting, gardening and cleaning. All the fun and games contribute to learning and make for happy, well-adjusted children. Your enthusiasm, caring and time can help lay the foundation for a brighter future for these special children.
Work Hours
Your typical work hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 am to 12:30 pm. 1:00 PM However, if you are able to give more of your time to the center, your extra help will be greatly appreciated!
Your first day at the Volunteer House in Fish Hoek
Mayara Pedra Pinheiro at the Kindergarten
On the first days of your stay, you will meet the other volunteers at the Volunteer House in Fish Hoek. You will surely make friends too. The Volunteer House has a swimming pool, a terrace, garden and a kitchen where you can meet the other volunteers and relax after work. Fish Hoek is a prosperous and safe neighborhood where you will also find great beaches.
Meet the children who you are going to teach
The next day you will meet the children’s group who will look after and teach you as a volunteer educator. One of our volunteers was greeted cheerfully every day with shouts “teachá” by the children, she was instantly in love. The district Masiphumelele is a poor suburb, but the people are friendly and take care of their children despite all material difficulties. A van brings you daily to the kindergarten in Masi, as the district is affectionately called by the inhabitants.
Excursions around Cape Town
During your time as a volunteer educator at Doreen’s Kindergarten in South Africa, you will also get to know life in Masiphumelele Township on the southern peninsula of Cape Town. On the trips to Cape Town you can explore the culture and history of South Africa, and of course relax on the beautiful beaches.
Mariana Oliveira with the children
Love, Happiness and Simplicity
I have no words to express my feelings … Maybe love, happiness and simplicity be them.
Volunteer work
Mariane Oliveira, Brazil
The most wonderful experience – Cris Queiroga Childcare Volunteer in South Africa
Wonderful Experience – Cris Queiroga in South Africa
Teaching in Doreen was the best experience I’ve had as an English teacher. You learn a lot from the kids. Everyone at creche is so nice to you.
If I could give anyone’s advice I would say: Be a volunteer in South Africa. It´s worth. – Cristina Queiroga, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
About one of the greatest adventures!
Sara Ferreira with the children
About one of the greatest adventures.
Ended up getting more then i was giving.
All the smiles, all the sincere “Thank you teacher”, all those hugs were worth every second.
Porque no final, acabei por receber o triplo daquilo que dei. – Sara Ferreira de Matos
Make a Difference for the underprivileged Children close to Cape Town
If you are energetic and ready for a challenge, and you like to care for children then this is the volunteer program for you. It is a unique opportunity to make a difference in the lives of underprivileged children. You will have a lot of fun working with a team of highly motivated women.
Our childcare volunteer programs in South Africa start on the 1st and 3rd Mondays of each month.
Therefore, you should plan to arrive before 4:15pm. If you can’t make it, we suggest you fly in a day early. We can arrange airport pickup and extra night of accommodation.
Location: Masiphumelele Township, around 45 minutes from central Cape Town
Arrival airport: Cape Town (code CPT).
Shared dormitory room in volunteer house, same sex rooms
Food is not included. You will need to purchase your own food (budget approximately US$50 per week)
Duration: Available from 2 to 12 weeks.
Fees – Childcare Volunteer Program
The program fee is paid directly to the host organization.
All of the projects incur a registration fee of U$ 149.00 on top of the program fee.
What is included in the volunteer program fee?
Airport Pickup
Orientation
Accommodation for all projects
Meals are included in most programs (please check the description of your chosen project)
Support from local staff & Program supervision
In-country 24/7 support throughout your stay
In-country administration costs
Donation to support the local project
There are no hidden costs. Most of these projects are the most affordable to volunteer in South Africa.
Iko Poran is an NGO based in a developing country. We are dedicated to helping you help others, at the lowest possible price. We are interested in making volunteering abroad more accessible so that more people can help do really important work.
Participants in our South Africa programs normally find US$100 to be sufficient for weekly expenses in the country.
The program fee should be paid to the host country and it is due 30 days before the project start date.
Accommodation & Meals
Volunteer House - on the Terrace
Pool and Garden of the Volunteer House
Bedroom at the Volunteer House in Cape Town
Joining at the Volunteer House
Bathroom
Façade of the Volunteer House in Cape Town
Our large volunteer house in Fish Hoek will be your happy home for this trip. It accommodates up to 20 people (our volunteers only) in dormitory-style, same sex rooms with bunk beds, a maximum of six people per room. There are three bathrooms with hot, running water, showers and regular flush loos. There’s also a lounge area, balcony, lush garden and barbeque. You’ll be only a short distance from the shops and beach. You’ll find lockers at the accommodation to lock your valuables away but please remember to bring a padlock and keys with you! You’ll need to pay R1000 deposit when you arrive which will be given back to you when you leave if everything’s still as you found it.
Meals
You’ll be self-catering while in the house. The kitchen has everything you need from cookers, loads of fridge space and microwave to toaster, kettle and kitchen utensils. You can eat at the dining room table or lounge on the balcony. There’s a barbeque outside or, as we call it in SA, a braai, which is the best way to cook on a warm evening. You can also grab
takeaways at the many spots in the town, about 10 minutes’ walk away.
Note: While in the house you will be responsible for keeping the place clean so please tidy up after yourself, especially in the kitchen. Budget around US$50 per week for groceries, as prices are similar to home.
Facilities and the area
There’s a phone at the house for incoming calls, and buy local phone cards to make outbound phone calls.
Washing can be done at the laundry down the road: simply drop off your clothes and pick them up later!
Cape Town has a temperate climate but winter is still chilly so pack warm jumpers and even some cosy socks as SA doesn’t have central heating.
Bedding is provided but bring a sleeping bag for away weekends and extra warmth.
Bring along a towel
The Neighborhood
Fish Hoek’s main street is only10 minutes’ walk away where you’ll find a supermarket, serviced laundry and internet café, as well as banks and other shopping. The beach is just a stone’s throw beyond that!
Bars, restaurants, more shopping and more beautiful beaches are only 10 minute’s drive away.
Fish Hoek is on the train line and trains are a great way to travel but they stop running at 7pm.
Taxis to Cape Town CBD cost around US$35/ R250 each way.
You must be at least 18 years old at the start of your placement.
All participants in our volunteer in South Africa programs must have adequate travel insurance and are required to provide a criminal background check to local staff on arrival in South Africa or during orientation,
Treat animals and humans with respect.
Most importantly, pack in energy, a positive attitude, love in your heart and a spring in your step!
Some projects also have specific requirements, therefore please check the description of your chosen program.
Language Skills required to volunteer in South Africa
Fluency in English is required in all the projects.
Safety
You will have competent support and advice from the local team and project leaders. Someone will always be available in the case of any emergency. Please keep in mind that you are in a different country and should take some precautions to avoid exposing yourself to certain risks.
The local coordinators will give you all the information to have a safe and unforgettable experience.
Volunteer House - on the Terrace
