I took my 3 year old daughter with me and have no regrets. She has grown so much in the last 2 weeks, and was able to experience a new school, new culture and new country and the experience for both of us has been very enriching. Thank you IVHQ for looking after us!
Childcare Volunteer Program in Fiji - Sigatoka
Purpose
Provide a safe space for children to learn
Start dates
Programs start every Monday
Duration
Choose from 1-12 weeks
Volunteer hours
Up to 3 hours a day
Age
Volunteers aged 17+ and families
Accommodation
Dormitory-style volunteer house
Who is going?
Group video calls
Once you have secured your place, join regular video calls to meet your Program Manager and other volunteers before your trip.
This program is ideal for:
Energetic volunteers who enjoy playing with and teaching children. All volunteers have the support of local staff, who will guide you in your tasks and activities so no experience or training is required.
Project details
Eager to be a Childcare volunteer in Fiji? International Volunteer HQ’s Childcare project empowers volunteers to assist local teachers in Sigatoka with lively groups of local children. Volunteers can be extremely helpful in being able to focus the energy of Fijian kids on lessons and constructive activities that contribute to their learning and growth. This is a fun and unique opportunity to gain valuable, hands-on experience in early childhood education and development.
What to expect and how you'll make an impact
In Fiji, children often grow up without many luxuries, yet they remain incredibly happy and playful. Consequently, local kindergartens are busy and lively places. Teachers greatly appreciate any assistance they can get in entertaining these active and curious young children, and volunteers can truly lighten the load.
As a volunteer in Fijian kindergartens, you’ll assist local teachers with informal lessons and confidence-building activities for children aged 4 and 5. Your volunteering hours will be from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM, followed by either planning lessons for the next day or assisting at the Sports Education project.
Your duties as a kindergarten teaching volunteer may include:
- Engaging with and caring for children
- Singing songs
- Organizing arts and crafts activities
- Assisting with and conducting lessons
- Sharing your language and culture with students
- Organizing and leading fun and educational activities
In addition to teaching in a Kindergarten setting in the morning volunteers also have the opportunity to spend their afternoons tutoring children in a local village.
The Village Kids Tutoring program offers volunteers the opportunity to teach English to children in local villages. Running from Monday to Friday in the afternoons, the program focuses on enhancing the children’s language skills while allowing volunteers to bring their creativity and unique ideas to the session.
Volunteers have the flexibility to design their own lesson plans and tailor their teaching methods to the needs of the students.
Depending on the number of volunteers, the program may be conducted in more than one village. Classes are held either in a community hall or in one of the village houses, providing an authentic and immersive experience.
Volunteers lesson plan from 2:30 PM to 3:00 PM and then tutor from 3:30 PM to 5:30 PM. Activities include educational games such as the animal sound game. Volunteers play recordings of different animal sounds and ask the students to identify the animals. Simon Says game using english commands, cultural exchange (sharing stories and songs), outdoor learning and group projects.
During school holidays, all volunteers will take part in the Kids Club, organized by the local team in a nearby village. From Monday to Thursday, you’ll participate in general teaching with a themed focus each week, such as healthy living. Fridays are dedicated to running sports activity days.
School holiday dates:
- 9 December 2024 to 24 January 2025
- 5 May to 17 May 17 2025
- 25 August to 5 September 2025
- 8 December 2025 to 23 January 2026
The remaining 2026 school term dates have not yet been confirmed but holidays typically fall around the months of May, August, September, December, and January.
Why do Childcare volunteering in Sigatoka with IVHQ?
While volunteering with children in Fiji you’ll be adding value to the local community, while also developing personally and professionally by:
- Improving early childhood education for kids in Fiji
- Helping students develop life skills in a safe place
- Learning and practicing Fijian
- Developing your communication skills
- Gaining childcare and teaching experience
- Immersing yourself fully in the Fijian way of life
- Exploring Fiji’s blissful beaches
Volunteer requirements
- Volunteers under the age of 17 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian to participate in this program
- Volunteers aged 17 on their program start date are required to provide IVHQ with parental consent in order to participate on the program, and may be asked to provide additional document to the local team.
- All volunteers aged 13+ are required to provide a criminal background check to IVHQ prior to departure. Those aged 13-17, if unable to obtain a criminal background check, can provide two character reference letters instead
- All volunteers are required to have adequate volunteer travel insurance
- To respect the local culture and customs in Fiji, volunteers should be aware that they’re unable to have anything obstructing their face while at their volunteer placement.
- All volunteers must speak fluent English.
Are you eligible to volunteer?
Submit a free application so we can confirm your eligibility and check availability for your preferred dates.
Not sure which program to join?
Get personalized recommendations >
Who is going?
Group video calls
Once you have secured your place, join regular video calls to meet your Program Manager and other volunteers before your trip.
Fiji photo gallery
IVHQ Childcare project
IVHQ Childcare project
IVHQ Childcare project
IVHQ Childcare project
IVHQ Childcare project
IVHQ Childcare project
IVHQ Childcare project
IVHQ Childcare project
IVHQ Childcare project
IVHQ Childcare project
IVHQ Childcare project
IVHQ Childcare project
Volunteers doing orientation at the house
Kava Ceremony as part of orientation
Passing around the Kava
Volunteer drinking Kava
Exploring Sigatoka during orienation
Exploring Sigatoka during orientation
IVHQ Volunteer's out on an evening walk
Volunteers checking out Maui Bay - Intro Week
Biausevu waterfall bush walk - Intro Week
Volunteers at Biausevu waterfall - Intro Week
View from on top of Sand Dunes
IVHQ intro week - Sigatoka National Park Dunes
Checking out views at the Hill Fort
Fijian meke dance lesson - Intro Week
IVHQ Fijian language lesson - Intro Week
Popular weekend trip spot - The Beach House
Exploring The Beach House
Seaside view at the Beach House
South Sea Island trip during free time
Diving at South Sea Island
Academic course credit
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 creditRecommended online TEFL course
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 onlineLocation
Location
The IVHQ Fiji program is based on the Coral Coast of Fiji, which is on the south-eastern coast of mainland Fiji. Although Fiji is known as an island paradise with a thriving tourist industry, many Fijians face challenges associated with living below the poverty line. Volunteers provide valuable support in helping with the development and improvement of infrastructure in this small island nation, especially as it continues to grow.
Volunteer placements are located in and around Sigatoka which has some of the best beaches on the island. Volunteers travel to their placements from the volunteer accommodation via taxi. The accommodation is a 15-minute taxi ride to Sigatoka town and a mere 2-minute walk to the nearest beach.
Arrival and orientation
After you have registered for the program, please book your flights to arrive at Nadi International Airport (NAN) in Nadi. An airport pick up is provided here on Saturdays and Sundays between 6:00 AM and 4:30 PM only. If you arrive between this time, you will be met at the airport by a member of the local team who will provide assistance with your bus transfer to Sigatoka. You will then be picked up by a member of our local team at the Sigatoka bus station.
If you arrive outside of these times you can arrange a late airport pick up as an add on option. Alternatively you can arrange your own accommodation in Nadi and then make your way to Sigatoka via bus the following morning.
If you arrive prior to 6am, you may wait in the arrivals terminal until the local team can meet and assist you with your bus transfer.
Your accommodation is covered by your Program Fee and includes the night before your program orientation.
If you are traveling in Fiji prior to your volunteer program, you will need to make your own way to the volunteer accommodation and the local team will provide guidance on this.
There are two options for orientation for the Fiji Program.
One-day orientation:
This begins on the morning of your chosen start date and runs for a full day. Orientation covers everything you need to know for your volunteer program in Fiji, including an introduction to Fiji, culture and customs, rules and expectations, safety, travel opportunities, city tour and an introduction to your project and placement. The orientation will also give you a chance to meet other volunteers and swap contact details for weekend travel and socialising.
Introduction Week:
The Introduction Week begins on the morning of your chosen start date and runs for the first five days of your stay. It is an awesome way to kickstart your volunteer abroad experience and it covers everything you need to know for your volunteer program in Fiji, plus you’ll learn more about the culture and get to tick off must-do Fiji experiences! This includes a Kava welcome ceremony; weaving class, hike to a waterfall, language class, cooking class; and trip to Maui Bay!
Please note, the Introduction week is included in your total duration on the program. If you would like to take part in this week, please let your Program Manager know.
Volunteer schedule example
First Day
On your first day of volunteering, you will be taken to your placement by a local coordinator and introduced to the placement staff you will be working with.
Weekdays Please note that start times and daily workloads depend on the project that you are participating on. Some placements run in the afternoon and volunteers on these placements will have the morning to create their lesson plans, or can join another project.
A typical volunteer day is as follows:
| 7:30 - 8:30AM | Breakfast at the volunteer house and then travel to your placement to join local placement staff. |
| 9:00 AM | Start at your placement. |
| 12:00 PM | Head back to the volunteer house for lunch. |
| 2:00 PM | Lesson planning for the following day. |
| 5:30 PM | Dinner at the volunteer house. After dinner, you will have the remainder of the evening free to relax and use as you wish. |
To ensure the safety of our volunteers and respect of others in the volunteer accommodation, a curfew of 11:30 PM has been put in place for every evening, including the weekend. If you wish to stay out longer, you must discuss this first with our local team and arrange alternative accommodation.
Weekends
Volunteers can spend the weekends exploring Sigatoka, visiting the beautiful pristine coastlines, beaches or rainforests. Volunteers can spend the weekends exploring the Coral Coast which is a stretch of beaches and bays between Nadi and Suva. Along this coastline is the Pacific Harbour (approximately 1.5 hours from Sigatoka), which is the self-proclaimed ‘Adventure Capital’ of Fiji. From Pacific Harbour you can organize activities, such as kayaking, white-water rafting, shark feeding, jet ski tours, zip lining and diving. It is recommended you budget for these additional weekend trips.
Accommodation and WiFi
You’ll stay in dormitory-style volunteer houses located in the Sigatoka area near the community where volunteers work. It is approximately 15 minutes by taxi from Sigatoka town and 2 minutes from the beach. The area has a very strong friendly Fijian culture. A curfew of 11:30 PM is in effect every evening, including weekends, to ensure the safety and respect of others in the volunteer accommodation.
The volunteer house is very basic but comfortable, with electricity, fans, and running water. Bathrooms in the volunteer houses are all western style with a shower, toilet and basin. Bedding is provided which includes a pillow, pillowcase and sheets (Washed Weekly). You will need to bring a towel and toiletries.
You can expect to share a room with up to 5 other volunteers of the same gender. Couples or individuals who want more privacy have an option to upgrade to private accommodation. Private rooms are subject to availability and therefore you must arrange this well in advance of your program. The local team will do their best to keep families together.
While basic WiFi is available for communication use at the accommodation internet access, it is not always reliable. Therefore we recommend purchasing a local SIM card with data for an unlocked mobile phone. The local team can assist you with purchasing this during your program orientation in Sigatoka and is relatively cheap 30FJD for 60GB a month). WiFi is also available at cafes and restaurants around Sigatoka.
Please note that during busy times, some volunteers maybe accommodated in a nearby hotel. Volunteers who are placed in the hotel will still have all their meals at the volunteer house.
Meals
Fijian food is tasty and diverse, with a strong influence of Indian and Chinese cuisine. Three meals a day are served at the volunteer house on weekdays, but on weekends only breakfast and dinner are served, leaving volunteers responsible for their own lunches. Typical dishes include chow mein (Fiji style stir-fried noodles and vegetables), starches such as cassava, taro, sweet potato, bread, fruit, rice, stews, soups and curries.
Breakfast is typically cereal, tea, coffee, fruit, eggs and toast.
Bottled water is readily available in Fiji and there are water filters available in the volunteer accommodation for volunteers.
If you have any special dietary requirements, please let us know when you apply for the program so we can discuss this with you. The local team will do their best to see that you are well taken care of but you should not expect to eat as you do at home. If you wish to supplement some of your meals with home comforts, there are basic kitchen facilities available to use and the local team will show you where to buy food during orientation.
IVHQ Fiji Main Volunteer House
Beach 1min walk away from volunteer house
Typical volunteer shared room
Shared bathroom in volunteer accommodation
IVHQ Fiji Common Area
IVHQ Fiji Dining Area
Lockers provided at IVHQ Fiji Program
Volunteer house private room upgrade
Private room upgrade ensuite bathroom
IVHQ Fiji secondary volunteer house
Typical volunteer shared room
Shared Bathrooms in volunteer house
Typical volunteer lunch served at the house
Self service breakfast at the house
Volunteer dinner of fish curry with beans and roti
Typical lunch - noodles with a side of fresh fruit
Volunteer Breakfast
Fijian style dinner served with fresh fruit and juice
Pancake Fridays at the volunteer house
IVHQ Fiji Accommodation
Pricing
Secure your place for just US$299 (approximately AU$491), pay your Program Fee later.
Spots are limited. For a Registration Fee of just US$299 (approximately AU$491) you secure your spot and unlock all our preparation and training tools.
You don't need to worry about paying your Program Fee until you get closer to your start date.
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 | $510 Equivalent to $73/day |
| 2 weeks | $730 Equivalent to $52/day |
| 3 weeks | $955 Equivalent to $45/day |
| 4 weeks | $1,175 Equivalent to $42/day |
| 5 weeks | $1,375 Equivalent to $39/day |
| 6 weeks | $1,580 Equivalent to $38/day |
| 8 weeks | $1,990 Equivalent to $36/day |
| 10 weeks | $2,420 Equivalent to $35/day |
| 12 weeks | $2,830 Equivalent to $34/day |
- All programs attract a Registration Fee of US$299 (approximately AU$491) in addition to the Program Fee. This covers all pre-departure support services.
- A 5% international banking fee is added at point of payment.
- Recommended spending money: Volunteers in Fiji generally find US$100 per week to be sufficient for expenses.
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner
- Airport pick-up
- Transport to and from your volunteer placement each day
- Accommodation
- 24/7 in-country emergency support
- In-country program orientation
- Pre-departure support from your Program Manager
- Personalised preparation tools, guides and check lists
- Access to IVHQ’s preferred insurance and flights partners
- Comprehensive in-country day to day support and guidance
- Certificate of International Volunteer Service
Learn more about what's included in your IVHQ Registration Fee and Program Fee.
- Return to the airport when your program finishes
- Flights
- Visa (if required), travel insurance (mandatory), vaccinations, criminal background check.
- Personal spending money for snacks, laundry, public transportation, drinks and leisure activities during your free time.
Popular add-ons & experiences in Sigatoka
Take your volunteer experience to the next level with these popular add-ons and experiences. Explore your options below and learn how to book them once you've been accepted onto the IVHQ Sigatoka program.
Popular
Fiji Culture Week
The Culture week is an awesome way to kickstart your volunteer abroad experience and it covers everything you need to know for your volunteer program in Fiji.
AU$183
Airport Drop-off
Enjoy a stress free ride from the accommodation back to either Nadi International Airport or Nausori International Airport arranged by our local team.
AU$151
Airport pick up (for volunteers arriving outside of the pick up window)
If you’re arriving outside the airport pick-up times, book this add on now!
AU$151
Check what's required to visit Fiji
Safety and support
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
Essential country information
| Capital | Suva |
| Population | 909,943 |
| Languages | English, Fijian and Fijian Hindi |
| Currency | Fijian Dollar (FJD) |
| Time zone | UTC+12:00 |
Weather and climate
Fiji has a hot climate all year round with maximum temperatures averaging between 26°C and 31°C (79°F - 88°F). The wet season runs from November to April and the dry season runs from May through October. The wet season is characterised by high humidity with heavy downpours followed by sunshine. The dry season is when temperatures are typically cooler with little rainfall.
What recent volunteers said about their IVHQ experience
AS
Alyce Swift
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Niah Bond
I gained friendships, confidence, heaps of memories, a great amount of knowledge and experience in the Fijian culture, and much more!
I did the program in Sigatoka - Fiji, and i would 100000% recommend this to anyone thinking about doing an IVHQ program. If you are hesitant, yes, if you are going alone, it may be very scary. It was even a little scary for me going with a friend, but everyone is there for the right reasons, and everyone is so friendly. The staff and locals are the best! You will make many friendships and memories. Please go! The worst that can happen is you don't like it and then you go home at the end and it's over. But trust me, you'll love it!
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EJ
Elizabeth Jeffares
I loved the whole experience volunteering in Fiji. I had no real expectations going into it and there were so many more volunteers than I imagined, which was fantastic as there were so many people to meet and options of who you wanted to be with or do things with at any time. The relationships formed strongly and lots of activities with other volunteers on the weekends to beaches and islands were amazing. The kids were so beautiful and happy, and the teachers at the kindergarten I was at were so welcoming and appreciative. The local team provided a safe environment and were so helpful in helping us with whatever we needed whether that was someone to walk us back to accommodation at night, to help book a taxi or to help getting a SIM card (to name some things).
Would definitely recommend it! I was so nervous before I arrived and then so upset to leave as the whole experience was amazing!!
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AC
Alexys Cullen
The preparation made me feel at ease with what to expect and what was required of me. It allowed my trip to run smoothly. The local team were absolutely amazing. They were super helpful, friendly, kind and always checking in to see how we were going. I felt comfortable asking them questions and seeking advice from them. I had the most amazing experience, it was an opportunity of a life time. I will definitely be returning and next time for a longer period. I learnt so much about their culture and being with the children at the kindergarten and seeing them so happy and excited to see us everyday makes you feel so blessed and grateful. The families and the teacher at the kindergarten thanked us multiple times and were so welcoming and made us feel so comfortable.
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To read all reviews, visit our reviews page.
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