Quick Facts
Program code
CR-VOL101
Category
Volunteer Work, Child Care, Education / Teaching
Country
Costa Rica
Location
San José
Program start
flexible start and end dates, year round, except during the school holidays from December to the end of February, the first two weeks of July as well as the Easter week.
Minimum duration
2 weeks
Minimum age
18 years
Contact us
Happy to help you
(+1) 954 762 7607
(+56) 9 7516 9816
(+49) 7735 425 339
skype: chileinside
8 am - 4 pm EST
Project details
The public kindergartens and daycare centers, where we place our volunteers, care for children in the age between 1½ to 5 years. The number of children at each institution varies between 50-150, groups are usually divided according to the age of the children. The older children are in a transitional phase to primary school and attend pre-school where subjects such as art and English are taught.
On the first day of your stay at this program, you will be welcomed in the Volunteer Center and receive an informative, introductory talk. Our on-site volunteer representative will be happy to answer any questions you may have and assist you during your whole stay. Afterwards, you will be escorted to you volunteer site and presented to the project team.
Tasks
Although the institutions where we place our volunteers are quite flexible with work schedules, you are encouraged to volunteer all day to build personal relationships with the children. However, half-day volunteer positions alongside a Spanish course are also available.
Although volunteers don’t need to have special skills or experience working with kids, it is very important that you are able to work independently and proactively. When working with young children, there can be a lot of unforeseen situations that require volunteers to be spontaneous, tolerant, and creative when carrying out daily tasks. Keep in mind that you will act as a role model for these children, so please be aware of this responsibility.
Volunteer work in a public kindergarten may include, but is not limited to, the following tasks and responsibilities:
- Organizing games and recreational activities
- Playing sports and outdoor games
- Helping out with light chores necessary for the day-to-day operation of the institutions
- Helping in the improvement and adornment of the facilities
- Providing warm and caring attention to the children
- Helping the educators with the feeding and washing of the children
- Putting small children down for a nap
- Monitoring and supervising the children while they play, eat, sleep
Volunteers are also encouraged to be creative and to bring any of their own personal skills to work with the children. New ideas are always welcome and can be discussed with your in-country volunteer coordinator.
In some kindergartens, especially for pre-school children, tasks can also include:
- Teaching arts, music, and math
- Teaching very basic language skills in English
- Preparing extra materials for the lessons
Note: The tasks may vary. They depend on factors such as number of volunteers, weather, season, current needs of the project, as well as self-motivation. Not every volunteer may be fully involved in all these tasks.
Accommodation
An important aspect of our volunteer work programs in Costa Rica is a nice and safe living environment. Our programs aim to give volunteers the opportunity to completely immerse themselves in the Costa Rican culture, so that they get the most out of their stay in this amazing country.
We believe that you only get to know a country when you are part of the culture, experiencing the country off the beaten path.
This is why we place our volunteers in Costa Rican homestays. You will have a single room available for you, and two meals per day (breakfast and dinner) are included. Bathrooms and common areas of the house are usually shared.
Living in a local household is also a great way to practice your Spanish. You will improve your speaking skills every day.
Location
Costa Rica's capital San José located in the heart of this small country. From there, you can reach all of Costa Rica’s attractions in a few hours, some natural beauties like the Irazu volcano and several national parks are even right at the doorstep!
With around 340,000 inhabitants, San José itself is not very large, but due to its role as the capital and its central location, it is the country's economic, political and cultural center. The inhabitants call themselves "Josefinos" and most are descendants of Italian or Spanish immigrants. These influences are reflected in the architecture and cityscape, which seem very Mediterranean.
San José is a pretty town with attractive theaters, museums, art galleries, cultural events – and not at last a lively nightlife. Colorful markets invite you to stroll and shop and on nice places you can relax and watch the hustle and bustle.
As in all of Costa Rica, there are hardly any "real" addresses in the capital - street signs are usually not found, just like house numbers. Addresses are rather descriptions, like: Name of the district, if available, 200m south of the red church, the house with the green door. Or: Fourth house next to the gas station behind the supermarket. Sounds adventurous? But it works!
Language skills
Spanish at communication level. For optimal preparation for your volunteer work in Costa Rica, we advise you to take a Spanish course before the program starts. This gives you the opportunity to slowly get used to the language, culture and mentality.
You can book your Spanish course in Costa Rica directly with us!
Requirements
- Spanish skills (book your Spanish course in Costa Rica!)
- Minimum age 18 years
- Please provide a criminal record check with your application documents
- Application at least 4 weeks before the desired start of the program. Read more about our application process here.
- Completion of a foreign travel health insurance (get your travel insurance here!)
Pre-departure and in-country support
Before arrival, our experienced team is at your disposal to support you during the booking process and travel planning. With the booking confirmation you will get our 24-hour emergency number, so that you can reach us around the clock in an emergency, 7 days a week.
In addition to the support from our office, you will be supported by our partner organization on site. Our volunteers have access to our so-called volunteer center. There you will always find a contact person and can surf the Internet for free, take part in cultural activities such as dance and cooking lessons and Spanish conversation workshops.
In the Volunteer Center, the volunteers receive all the information they need about their project and working hours. Our local volunteer coordinators will be happy to answer any questions you might have.
On the first day of volunteering, the volunteers are welcomed in the Volunteer Center and get further program information. They will then be accompanied to their volunteer position and introduced to the project team there.
Costs & Services
Our volunteer project in a Kindergarten in Costa Rica includes:
- Single room in Homestay
- Breakfast & dinner
- Laundry service once a week
- Airport pick-up in San José
- Advice from our experienced staff
- On-going support via WhatsApp, phone or mail
- Elaboration of your application profile in Spanish
- Your placement in the volunteer project
- Pre-departure information
- Packing list
- Country handbook
- Intercultural guide
- Welcome meeting in San José
- On-site volunteer coordinator
- 24/7 emergency number
- Advice on travel insurance
- Certificate of participation
Costs
Application fee: US$ 150
Program fee: US$ 780 (minimum stay 2 weeks)
Each additional week: US$ 220
Additionally, you can book
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Volunteer Guide
Find valuable information about volunteering abroad in our program guides. Find out about all the benefits, possibilities and challenges, that a stay abroad offers you. Read more about the great opportunities that South America Inside has at your disposal.
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