Two months ago I boarded a plane to the other side of the world, having absolutely no idea what to expect. I was scared to leave behind my loved ones but also very excited to get to explore another country. I can now say with confidence that it was the best decision I have ever made for myself. South Africa is such a beautiful country with incredibly kind and welcoming people. I did not know what to expect when I came here but I am leaving with a new perspective on life. While volunteering, the children showed me what true gratitude is and that you truly don’t need much to be happy. Happiness comes from the way you treat others and the people you surround yourself with. So often we forget the power of kindness, compliments, or even a smile. These kids don’t have access to many things that I wouldn’t have thought twice about before I arrived here. I now realize that everything I have is a blessing and that no matter what happens there is always something to be grateful for. I will never forget this experience and the wonderful people who filled it.
Childcare Volunteer Project in South Africa - Cape Town
Purpose
Start dates
Duration
Volunteer hours
Age
Accommodation
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:
Project details
Full of energy and want to be a Childcare volunteer in South Africa? International Volunteer HQ’s Childcare project is a great opportunity for volunteers to assist with early childhood education in low-income areas of Cape Town. Volunteers gain childcare experience while helping local teachers at a large childcare centre provide high quality care and education to children from nearby farms, villages and communities.
What to expect and how you'll make an impact
Many South African children grow up with limited access to education, with only 17 out of every 100 children having the opportunity to attend some form of early childhood schooling.
Volunteers help make it easier for low-income families to give their children this important opportunity for a good start in life by assisting in a large childcare centre that works closely with the local education department and aims to provide high quality care and education to children from disadvantaged areas.
As a Childcare volunteer you will play a dynamic role in enriching the lives of these children and assist with a wide range of tasks within the centre. This can include:
- Teaching
- Caring for children
- Planning and designing lessons
- Arranging games and activities
- Assisting with feeding and cleaning up after meals
- Helping with general duties to assist with the day to day running of the centre
Why do Childcare volunteering in Cape Town with IVHQ?
When you volunteer with children in South Africa you’ll be adding value to the local community, while also developing personally and professionally by:
- Improving early childhood education for disadvantaged families
- Helping children learn and grown in a safe place
- Developing your communication skills
- Gaining childcare experience
- Immersing yourself in South African culture
- Exploring South Africa’s incredible wildlife
Volunteer requirements
- Volunteers under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian to participate in this program, and may be asked to provide additional documentation 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
- 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.
South Africa photo gallery
What recent volunteers said about their IVHQ experience
Volunteering on the Childcare project in South Africa has been a truly uplifting and transformative experience, offering immense personal growth, skill development and a deep sense of fulfilment. The joy of interacting with children from diverse backgrounds has enriched my cultural understanding and broadened my horizons in wonderful ways. The children’s resilience, creativity, and zest for life despite their circumstances is truly inspiring. This journey honed my interpersonal and communication skills, teaching me patience, empathy, and adaptability. I found joy in their laughter, curiosity, and the bonds we formed, which underscored the importance of emotional support, education, and play in their development. The profound happiness that comes from positively impacting their lives is incomparable, whether it's through helping them with schoolwork, organizing games, or simply being a supportive presence.
For anyone feeling hesitant about joining, I encourage you to embrace this beautiful opportunity. Prepare well by researching the organization and understanding the local culture. Stay open-minded, as each day brings new experiences and lessons. Focus on the positive impact you can create, knowing that even small acts of kindness can make a significant difference. Seek support from past volunteers, whose insights can guide and reassure you. Reflecting on your experiences will deepen your appreciation for the work you're doing. This incredible adventure not only allows you to give back but also shapes your personal and professional outlook, filling your heart with joy, gratitude, and a renewed sense of purpose.
I would recommend this program specifically and IVHQ to anyone and everyone I know. This truly was a trip of a lifetime and the people in Africa I had the pleasure of meeting made such an impact on me.
I know I had an impact on the children I worked with. I wish I could have remained for 6 months or longer. The teachers were great and they encouraged the volunteers to lead the class. The local team had an on-site staff member available 24/7 in the event of an emergency. Any questions I had a staff member was able to answer immediately or they looked up the information and quickly got back to me. If someone is truly interested in making an impact they will enjoy the kids, teachers and staff. The experience was definitely rewarding.
This trip was honestly once in a lifetime type of trip. I was super nervous, but knew that I wanted to be apart of something more. The friends I made on this trip will honestly be friends for life. I can’t explain how we all connected so quickly after just one afternoon. But I can say how grateful I am for them. Pushing my outside my comfort zone- going shark cage diving & zip lining. Something I never would of considered back home.
The local team were incredible and I couldn’t have asked for a better teacher to support me. They were super friendly and supportive, from teaching me how to dance as a local to just being a great teacher to the kids. They’ve got a pretty amazing community and I feel very blessed to be able to say I was apart of it!
So my advice to you, go in with an open mindset and no zero expectations. No matter how worried or hesitant you are, I can guarantee this will be a life long experience that you will never forget.
I recommend IVHQ to everyone that talks to me about wanting to take a gap year! My trip was unforgettable. I met so many wonderful people and had such a close bond with the kids in the Childcare project. The volunteer house was so close and connected. This made living a month away from home feel so comfortable. I recommend trying all the activities in the region with the people you meet in the house! We all bonded throughout the tours and safaris. I still keep in contact with the girls I met from volunteering!
To read all reviews, visit our reviews page.
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 South Africa volunteer program is based in Muizenberg, a beautiful, small coastal town with excellent surfing. It is about a 30 minute drive from the Cape Town City, and up to 15 minutes from volunteer placements located in the Philippi, Steenberg, Capricorn, and Grassy Park townships.
South Africa is known for its natural beauty, wildlife, sporting prowess, and diversity of culture and ethinic groups. It’s turbulent socio-political history is also well known, and is important to learn about in order to gain insight and understanding of the country’s people, culture and attitudes. There are many places where you can do this in Cape Town and the surrounding areas.
The IVHQ South Africa program is one of our longest running volunteer programs and has the aim of delivering positive outcomes in communities throughout the area by placing volunteers on a wide range of impactful projects. There is a focus on animal welfare as well as supporting children and young people who have had a challenging start to life because of exposure to drugs, alcohol or physical abuse.
Arrival and orientation
The program orientation begins on the first and third Monday of each month and volunteers need to arrive in Cape Town on the day before orientation. If your start date falls on a public holiday, your orientation will begin on the day following the public holiday.
After you have registered for the program, please book your flights to arrive at the Cape Town International Airport (CPT). 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 transported to the volunteer accommodation in Muizenberg. Your accommodation is covered by your program fee and includes the night before your program orientation and checkout is on Saturday.
If you are travelling in South Africa prior to your volunteer program, we can arrange for you to be picked up within the Cape Town CBD area on the day before your program orientation.
Orientation is taken by our South Africa team in Muizenberg, Cape Town. Orientation begins on the morning of your chosen start date and covers everything you need to know for your volunteer program in South Africa – an introduction to South Africa, South African customs, rules and expectations, safety, travel opportunities in South Africa, and an introduction to your project and placement. The orientation will also give you a chance to meet other volunteers and make plans for weekend travel and socialising. Once your orientation is complete you will take a trip into Cape Town before returning to your volunteer accommodation.
Volunteer schedule example
First Day
On your first day of volunteering, you will be escorted to your placement by a local coordinator and introduced to the placement staff you will be working with.
Weekdays - A typical volunteer day would be as follows:
| 07:00 AM | Breakfast at the volunteer house. |
| 8:00 AM | Volunteers leave home and travel to their placements. |
| 12:30 PM | Work at the placement usually ends. Volunteers are free to travel back to the volunteer house for lunch, go sightseeing, or do some shopping. |
| 5:00 - 9:00 PM | Dinner is available at the volunteer house. |
Weekends
On the weekends, volunteers have spare time to relax or take the opportunity to explore Cape Town or other areas in South Africa. See unusual wildlife like antelope and penguins, visit the spot where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned, paraglide off a rock high above the city, visit a local vineyard, or watch the sun sink into the Atlantic ocean with a glass of the region’s finest wine in your hand.
Long weekends can be taken if volunteers wish to go on safari, bungy jump, or travel to places further afield, such as the Garden Route or Stellenbosch.
Accommodation and WiFi
All volunteers are accommodated in a large two-storey dormitory style volunteer house with capacity for around 40 volunteers, with rooms separated by gender. It is a 7 bedroom house that comfortably sleeps 6 people per room. The rooms on the second floor lead out to a balcony that overlooks the village. The house has 6 bathrooms, a TV lounge, a dining area and a volunteer kitchen.
The beach, convenient stores, ATMs, restaurants etc. are all in walking distance from the house. Bedrooms have single beds and bunk beds with bedding provided. The house is clean and well looked after, and living is comfortable.
The accommodation is safe and secure with the volunteer house located in Muizenberg, a safe suburb near the communities where volunteers work. Muizenberg is a very historical part of Cape Town and the house you will be living in for the duration of your stay is about 150 years old.
The volunteer house has electricity and running water with Western toilets, but you’ll need to bring your own towel and toiletries. During the Winter (June through August) Cape Town can get quite cold and it’s recommended to bring an extra blanket.
The volunteer house has unlimited Wifi 5G with a very good connection.
Meals
Volunteers in South Africa receive three meals a day, Monday through Friday. Breakfast will also be available on weekends. Meals served in the volunteer house are typically Western-style and can be high in carbohydrates.
Breakfast consists of self-serve tea, coffee, toast and cereal. For lunch volunteers will be provided with supplies to make their own sandwiches, and dinner consists of dishes containing meat, vegetables and a starch, such as potatoes, bread or pasta.
It is not possible to drink the tap water in South Africa, however, bottled water is readily available in South Africa, and you should budget approximately US$5 (approximately AU$8) per week for 2 litres a day.
If you have any special dietary requirements, please let us know when you apply for the program so we can make arrangements for you. However, we need to stress the point that you should not expect to eat as you normally do at home. We will do our best to see that you are well taken care of, but also as a volunteer, there is a need to be flexible.
Pricing
Spots are limited. For a Registration Fee of just US$299 (approximately AU$503) 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 | $285 Equivalent to $41/day |
| 2 weeks | $455 Equivalent to $33/day |
| 3 weeks | $625 Equivalent to $30/day |
| 4 weeks | $795 Equivalent to $28/day |
| 5 weeks | $965 Equivalent to $28/day |
| 6 weeks | $1,135 Equivalent to $27/day |
| 8 weeks | $1,475 Equivalent to $26/day |
| 10 weeks | $1,815 Equivalent to $26/day |
| 12 weeks | $2,155 Equivalent to $26/day |
| 16 weeks | $2,835 Equivalent to $25/day |
| 20 weeks | $3,515 Equivalent to $25/day |
| 24 weeks | $4,195 Equivalent to $25/day |
- All programs attract a Registration Fee of US$299 (approximately AU$503) 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 South Africa generally find US$50-75 per week to be sufficient for expenses.
- Weekday meals and breakfast on weekends
- Airport pick-up
- Transport to and from your placement
- Accommodation
- 24/7 in-country 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
- 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
- Weekend lunches and dinners
- 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 Cape Town
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 Cape Town program.
Enjoy a stress-free ride from your accommodation to the airport, organized by the local team.
Check what's required to visit South Africa
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 | Pretoria (Executive), Bloemfontein (Judicial), Cape Town (Legislative) |
| Population | 58.6 million |
| Languages | Afrikaans, English, Zulu, Xhosa, Swati, Tswana |
| Currency | South African Rand (ZAR) |
| Time zone | UTC+02:00 |
Weather and climate
The subtropical location, moderated by the Atlantic and Indian Oceans on three sides of the country and the altitude of the central plateau, are responsible for the warm temperatures typical of South Africa. Across much of the country, summer (December to February) is characterised by hot, sunny weather with temperatures averaging around 25°C (77°F). Winter (May to September) is cooler and drier with evening temperatures averaging around 10 °C (50°F). In Cape Town, sporadic showers and chilly winds are common during the winter months, but with daytime temperatures can average around 15°C (59°F).
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