Childcare Volunteering in Cape Town, South Africa

Participants should have a genuine interest in teaching and working with children, as well as the energy, patience, and adaptability to work with young kids!

• Accommodation
• 3 meals p/day & 2 p/day at weekends
• Arrival airport transfer (Sat/Sun arrivals)
• Filtered drinking water, coffee & tea
• 1 day orientation
• Daily transportation to project
• In country 24/7 support & emergency assistance
• Fundraising support
• University course credits (where applicable)
• Certificate of Completion

• Airfares
• Travel Insurance
• Tours, Souvenirs & spending money

On the Monday of your first week at this location, you will join our orientation day, to familiarize you with the surroundings as well as local culture. Your program will continue as usual from Tuesday onward throughout the rest of the week.

Schedule

• Breakfast at the accommodation
• Introduction meeting, house rules, setting expectations, health and safety advice and explaining & handling of documents (code of conduct, child protection policy, media consent, etc…)
• South African history, lessons in Afrikaans culture, do’s and don’ts, and basic Afrikaans language lessons.
• lunch at the accommodation.
• to ensure participants are well-acquainted with the surroundings, the coordinator will guide the participants to key spots like supermarkets, atm, and currency exchange centers and assist in obtaining a local sim card with data for seamless communication during their stay (if not already obtained).
• A visit to the Muizenberg beach.
• Dinner at the accommodation.

***This schedule can be changed and/or amended depending on weather conditions, local conditions and unforeseen circumstances.***

Programs begin every Monday, and volunteers are required to arrive the day prior, for orientation before the project. Your accommodation on the Sunday is included in the program fees.

A free airport pickup is included when arriving to Cape Town International Airport (CPT). You must arrive by one of the pickup times; 10:00, 14:00 & 17:00 on Sunday.

If arriving outside the pickup times on Sunday, you can book a private transfer and any extra nights for an additional fee.

Alternatively, if arriving early you could wait at the arrival’s terminal for the pickup time, book accommodation at the airport and meet us during the pickup times or make your own way to the project (we will advise on how to do this). 

From the airport to the accommodation, it takes 30 minutes by road.

Monday (on first week only)

• Breakfast at the accommodation
• Introduction meeting, House rules, Setting Expectations, Health and Safety Advice and explaining & handling of documents (Code of Conduct, Child Protection Policy, Media Consent, Etc…)
• South African brief history, Lessons in Afrikaans Culture, Do’s and Don’ts and Basic Afrikaans Language Lessons.
• Lunch at the accommodation.
• To ensure participants are well-acquainted with the surroundings, the coordinator will guide the participants to key spots like supermarket, ATM, and currency exchange center and assist in obtaining a local SIM card with data for seamless communication during their stay (if not already obtained).
• A visit to the Muizenberg beach.
• Capetonian Cooking lesson (Time Permitting Only).
• Dinner at the accommodation.

Tuesday – Friday

• Enjoy breakfast at the accommodation.
• Head to the program site, where the coordinator will outline the day’s activities according to your role.
• Begin your tasks, assisting with the children’s daily needs and educational activities.

• Have a packed lunch at the program site, ensuring a smooth transition into the afternoon’s activities.

• Continue following the guidance of the program official, adapting to the daily requirements of the children.
• Focus on providing care, supporting learning, and engaging in activities that promote the children’s development.

 **You are expected to participate in the program for a minimum of 5 hours a day**

*** Timings will be outlined during the induction and training session on the program’s first day. The schedule remains flexible to accommodate the children’s needs, align with program goals, and adapt to weather conditions, local factors, and unforeseen circumstances.***

Top Things to Do in Cape Town

Take a Cable Car up Table Mountain

Table Mountain is the crown jewel of Cape Town. Take the rotating cable car to the summit for panoramic views of the city, ocean, and surrounding mountains. For the adventurous, hike up via the Platteklip Gorge trail. The top is flat, making it easy to explore and a great spot for sunset photos.

Stroll the V&A Waterfront

The Victoria & Alfred Waterfront is a vibrant hub for shopping, dining, and entertainment. Set against the backdrop of Table Mountain, it’s home to a giant Ferris wheel, live music, restaurants, and the Two Oceans Aquarium. You can also catch a boat to Robben Island from here.

Explore the Colourful Streets of Bo-Kaap

The Bo-Kaap neighborhood is one of the most photographed places in Cape Town, with its brightly painted houses and cobbled streets. It’s also a cultural hub for the Cape Malay community. Visit the Bo-Kaap Museum and join a cooking class to learn how to make traditional dishes like bobotie and samoosas.

Hike Lion’s Head at Sunrise or Sunset

If Table Mountain feels like too much of a challenge, Lion’s Head is a rewarding alternative. The spiral trail takes about 1.5 hours to reach the top and offers panoramic views of the city and coastline. Sunrise and sunset hikes are especially popular for their magical light and Instagram-worthy vistas.

Relax on Camps Bay or Clifton Beach

Just a short drive from the city centre, Camps Bay and Clifton are upscale beach spots perfect for soaking up the sun. With white sand, turquoise water, and views of the Twelve Apostles mountains, they offer a beautiful setting for a lazy afternoon or sundowners at a beachfront café.

Visit the Cape Winelands

Just an hour’s drive from Cape Town, the Cape Winelands are world-renowned for their wine and scenery. Spend a day sipping award-winning vintages in Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, or Paarl. Many estates offer wine and food pairings, cellar tours, and picnic spots among the vineyards.

Drive Chapman’s Peak

Chapman’s Peak Drive is one of the world’s most spectacular coastal routes, winding along steep cliffs between Hout Bay and Noordhoek. The road offers incredible ocean views and is a favourite among cyclists and photographers. Stop at lookouts for breathtaking shots, especially at sunset.

See the Penguins at Boulders Beach

Just an hour’s drive from Cape Town, Boulders Beach is a family-friendly destination where you can watch endangered African penguins up close. There are boardwalks for viewing and even a designated swimming area where you might find penguins floating alongside you.

Visit Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens

Nestled at the foot of Table Mountain, Kirstenbosch is one of the most beautiful botanical gardens in the world. Walk among native fynbos plants, picnic on the lawns, or explore the treetop canopy walkway. Summer evening concerts and art exhibits add to the charm.

Top Things to Do in South Africa Overall

Go on a Safari in Kruger or Addo

A trip to South Africa wouldn’t be complete without a safari. Kruger National Park, one of Africa’s largest game reserves, offers a chance to see the Big Five—lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard, and rhino—in their natural habitat. For a more intimate experience, head to Addo Elephant Park near Port Elizabeth, where herds of elephants roam freely among other wildlife.

Explore the Drakensberg Mountains

Known as the “Dragon Mountains,” the Drakensberg range is a UNESCO World Heritage site perfect for hikers and nature lovers. With its jagged peaks, waterfalls, and ancient San rock art, it’s a stunning escape into the wild. Popular activities include hiking, rock climbing, birdwatching, and even horse riding through the hills.

Drive the Garden Route

The Garden Route is one of the world’s most scenic road trips. Spanning the southern coast from Mossel Bay to Storms River, this lush drive offers beaches, forests, caves, and charming towns. Stop at Knysna for fresh oysters, go bungee jumping at Bloukrans Bridge, or kayak in Wilderness National Park.

Tour Robben Island

A powerful symbol of South Africa’s struggle for freedom, Robben Island is where Nelson Mandela spent 18 of his 27 years in prison. Accessible by ferry from Cape Town, tours are often led by former political prisoners and offer a deeply moving look at the country’s past and ongoing journey toward reconciliation.

Go Shark Cage Diving

For adrenaline junkies, shark cage diving off the coast of Gansbaai is an unforgettable thrill. Come face-to-face with great white sharks in their natural environment—all from the safety of a submerged cage. The experience is intense, educational, and not for the faint-hearted!

Drive the Panorama Route

This lesser-known gem in Mpumalanga province offers breathtaking scenery, including God’s Window, Bourke’s Luck Potholes, and Blyde River Canyon, the third-largest canyon in the world. It’s a must-do if you’re visiting Kruger National Park, offering incredible landscapes and photo ops.

Experience Local Markets

From Johannesburg’s Neighbourgoods Market to Cape Town’s Oranjezicht City Farm Market, South Africa’s open-air markets are buzzing with life. Enjoy fresh food, handmade crafts, vintage clothing, live music, and warm local hospitality. Markets are also a great place to support small-scale artisans and farmers.

Additional Requirements

• Genuine interest in teaching and working with children.
• Energy, patience, and adaptability.
• Medical clearance for participants over 65 years.
• Signed parental consent for participants under 18 years
• Proof of yellow fever vaccination (mandatory)
• Have completed or are recommended to have the following vaccines: hepatitis A, hepatitis B, typhoid, rabies, meningitis, polio, MMR (measles, mumps, rubella), Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis), chickenpox, and influenza

Additional Equipment

Packing List
        Clothing

• Modest clothing (covers knees and shoulders)
• Comfortable walking shoes and sandals
• Sun hat, fleece sweater, windproof rain jacket (depending on weather)

Documents

• Passport
• Flight info, insurance, vouchers, visas, and vaccination certificates (with photocopies)

Health & Safety:

• Hand sanitizer, face masks (if required)
• First-aid kit (medications, sunscreen, insect repellent, rehydration tablets)

Essentials:

• Toiletries (shampoo, soap, etc.)
• Day pack, small travel towel, reusable water bottle
• Moneybelt, locks for bags
• Personal entertainment (books, cards, music player)

Optional Items:

• Games, books, color pencils, chalk, rulers, etc.
• Pictures from your country, family, and friends.
• Other small cultural objects from your country of origin.

For information on holidays and any programs affected, please see the following link: ZA – Holidays – All Programs

Located at the southern tip of the African continent, South Africa shares borders with Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Eswatini (Swaziland), and surrounds the small kingdom of Lesotho. The country is home to over 60 million people and has 11 official languages, including Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans, and English. The country operates as a constitutional democracy and has one of the most developed infrastructures in Africa. Major cities include Johannesburg (economic hub), Cape Town (legislative capital), and Durban (major port city). South Africa boasts incredible biodiversity and is known for its national parks, such as Kruger and Addo Elephant Park.

South Africa’s climate varies significantly by region. Generally, it experiences a warm, temperate climate. The summer months (November to March) are hot and rainy in most areas, especially in the east, while the Western Cape has a Mediterranean climate with dry summers and wet winters. The inland highveld areas can see summer thunderstorms and chilly winters with frost. Along the coast, temperatures are more moderate, making destinations like Cape Town and Durban pleasant year-round. For volunteers, it’s important to pack appropriately depending on the region and season—sunscreen and hats in summer, and warm layers for highland winters.

South Africa’s cultural landscape is as diverse as its people. With 11 official languages and a population representing various ethnic groups—including Zulu, Xhosa, Sotho, Tswana, and Afrikaans-speaking communities—cultural practices, music, art, and cuisine vary widely across regions. Traditional African customs coexist with modern Western influences, creating a vibrant social tapestry. Ubuntu—a philosophy emphasizing community and human connectedness—is a guiding principle in many communities. Volunteers are often welcomed with warmth and curiosity but are encouraged to be respectful, open-minded, and aware of the country’s complex history, particularly around apartheid and reconciliation.

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