As a childcare volunteer in Sri Lanka, you’ll make a real difference in the lives of children from difficult backgrounds. You’ll help with their education, encourage positive habits, and contribute to the local community’s well-being. The projects we work with focus on early childhood education, and the more support these children receive, the better their chances for a brighter future.
Background to the Childcare Program
In Sri Lanka, children can attend preschool from ages 3 to 5. Unfortunately, many government-run preschools face challenges such as overcrowding and lack of resources, often with just one or two teachers for large groups of children. As a result, children may miss out on key stages of early development. Early exposure to engaging activities is crucial for preparing them for school and helping them develop social and emotional skills.
Volunteers in local preschools give children the valuable opportunity to be introduced to the English language early on. This builds their confidence and helps lay the foundation for learning English in the future, which can improve their opportunities later in life.
Volunteering with children in Sri Lanka is a rewarding experience and open to people from all backgrounds. By supporting these preschools, you’ll ensure that children get a strong start to their education. Your time, skills, and care will also support local teachers. Additionally, there are animal welfare projects in Sri Lanka that you can volunteer with.
Childcare Volunteer Placement Examples
Urban Council Preschools – Volunteers help support a network of preschools in Ambalangoda. The local team works with up to 8 preschools in the area, each with different backgrounds. Some preschools are free to attend, while others charge a small fee. Regardless, all the children come from low-income families and would greatly benefit from volunteer support.
Your work will help parents who can’t afford quality childcare and provide them with the opportunity to work and support their families. One example is the Sun Rise Preschool & Day Care Centre, which is fully funded by the local team. Volunteers often lead activities like holiday camps at this preschool.
These preschools give children aged 1-4 years a safe place to learn and grow while their parents work in local factories, such as cinnamon or garment factories. As a volunteer, you’ll assist with basic education and get creative by leading dance and exercise classes, teaching basic vocabulary, distributing snacks, and organising arts and crafts activities.
Other Considerations When Working with Children in Sri Lanka
Resources – Resources for childcare projects can be limited, so it’s recommended that volunteers bring materials to help with their daily activities. Being well-prepared will allow you to get the most out of your volunteer experience in Sri Lanka.
Placement Settings – PMGY does not offer volunteer opportunities in orphanages. Research has shown that orphanage volunteering can lead to the separation of children from their families, increasing the risk of neglect and abuse. Therefore, we do not support orphanages in our network.
Instead, we focus on safe childcare projects where children go home at the end of the day. These projects are carefully chosen and provide a safe, responsible environment where volunteers can assist local staff while respecting the children’s family connections.
Project Flexibility – This volunteer project operates in the mornings, giving you the opportunity to participate in teaching projects during the afternoon. A minimum commitment of one week is required for each project, and you can finalize these arrangements once you’re in Sri Lanka. There are no additional costs, and we always welcome extra support for the community-based projects.
Top Destination – Sri Lanka is often regarded as one of the best volunteer destinations due to the exceptional local support, great value for money, and the overall experience in Ambalangoda. The local team goes above and beyond to ensure that every volunteer has an unforgettable experience, which is reflected in the positive feedback received. This makes it an ideal choice for first-time travellers seeking extra support, a variety of organised weekend trips, and the opportunity to participate in meaningful local initiatives in an exotic setting.
Return Airport Transfer – Your return airport transfer is not included in your Program Fee. However, our local team can assist with arranging transfers to the airport or other destinations from the volunteer accommodation. It’s more flexible to make these arrangements once you’re in Sri Lanka, as travel plans can change, and you might be able to coordinate with others on similar flight schedules. The cost will vary depending on your transport method and final destination, and if you’re traveling with other participants, it can often be shared. We strongly advise against using public transport or ridesharing apps for your airport transfer, as while they may be cheaper, they are less convenient and pose additional safety risks.
Weekends – Weekends in Sri Lanka are free, allowing you to relax or explore the country. Most participants take this opportunity to travel, while others enjoy downtime at the volunteer accommodation. We provide a Sri Lanka Weekend Travel Guide with top tips for making the most of your weekends. Additionally, before you depart for Sri Lanka, you can sign up for one of our exciting weekend trips, including the Adventure Hill & Country Trip, the Cultural Triangle & Elephants Trip, and the Maldives Chill Out Trip. These trips run every month, giving you plenty of chances to join in. Your project work is from Monday to Friday, so you’ll have plenty of time to experience Sri Lanka’s beauty and culture.
