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Childcare Volunteer Program in Fiji - Sigatoka

Childcare Volunteer Program in Fiji - Sigatoka

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.

Highlights:
  • Programs start every Monday
  • Affordable fees from $500 for 1 week
  • Includes accommodation, meals, airport pick up, orientation and 24/7 support
  • Care for and teach happy, energetic children

  • Discover Fiji’s stunning natural beauty

  • Stay in a simple, lively house with other volunteers in Sigatoka

Key information

Provide a safe space for children to learn
Based in kindergartens
Dormitory-style volunteer house
Volunteers aged 17+ and families
Fully hosted experience from $500 for 1 week
Durations from 1 - 12 weeks
Introduction Week orientation available
Up to 3 hours volunteering a day

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.
Who is this program suited to?

What to expect and how you'll make an impact

Children in Fiji often grow up without luxuries, but despite this are extremely happy and playful. As a result, local kindergartens are busy and lively places. Teachers can use as much help as they can get entertaining such active and curious young children and volunteers can really lighten the load.

As a volunteer in kindergartens in Fiji, you’ll help local teachers with informal lessons and confidence building for children aged 4 and 5. You’ll volunteer from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM and then either plan your lessons for the following day or help out at the Sports Education project.

Kindergarten teaching volunteer duties can vary but usually include:

  • Playing with and taking care of children
  • Singing songs
  • Setting up arts and crafts activities
  • Assisting with and teaching lessons
  • Sharing your language and culture with students
  • Setting up and running fun and educational activities

During the school holidays, all volunteers will participate in the Kids Club which is run by the local team in a nearby village. Monday to Thursday will involve general teaching with a theme assigned to each week such as healthy living. On Fridays volunteers run a sports activity day.

School holiday dates:

  • December 8 to January 29, 2024
  • May 6 to May 17, 2024
  • August 26 to September 6, 2024
  • December 9 to January 24, 2025

The remaining 2025 school term dates have not yet been confirmed but holidays typically fall around the months of May, August, September and December.

Contributes to United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal #4: Quality Education

Contributes to United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal #4: Quality Education

More than half of all children and teens do not meet minimum proficiency standards in reading and mathematics. Quality education provides an opportunity to learn and grow in a safe environment and is key to preventing poverty, securing long-term employment and improving quality of life.

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 17-18 are required to provide IVHQ with parental consent in order to participate on the 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
  • 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.

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What recent volunteers said about their IVHQ experience

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Amika Dorre
27 Feb 2024

The host are amazing and very friendly. Everyone in this environment is extremely nice and easy to talk to and I made some of the best friends of my life and the Introduction Week is definitely worth doing to experience Fiji and learn more.

...
CR
Cheryl Rae
20 Feb 2024

I am so glad that my first visit to Fiji was as part of a volunteer group, it was an amazing way to get a real sense of the country, its people, and their culture.
The orientation week was really worthwhile.

...
RS
Robin Smith
16 Jan 2024

I thought everything was just perfect in the preparation for my program. My Program Manager is remarkable! The local team's support was fantastic, dedicated and sincere!!!

The age I am was not at all a hindrance. As I evaluated my pre-program choices and decided the Introduction week might be better served by someone else, the staff made my request to "gift" it to someone else an easy reality. I was thrilled by this! I found the mix in age groups among the volunteers very fun! Again, opting for the private room offered a perfect balance. Thank you!

...
CH
Cortney Harper
16 Jan 2024

I had an amazing experience with my 12 year old son volunteering in a local village in Fiji. We got to know the locals and made wonderful memories with the kids. I would absolutely recommend IVHQ to anyone looking to be immersed in the local culture and make a positive impact. This is my 2nd trip with IVHQ and plan to schedule my next one!

...
LR
Lucy Ross
18 Dec 2023

I feel I have gained knowledge of the different cultures present in the world. My most enjoyable part of the whole week was definitely spending time with all the kids and I have learnt how to engage and get the kids to remember what I’m trying to teach them. I would also tell future volunteers to make sure they get to know the other volunteers and don’t keep to themselves as that is also a key part of the program that I thoroughly enjoyed.

...
CK
Cecile Kruger
12 Sep 2022

My favourite moment was everyday when I arrived at the kindergarten seeing how happy and excited the kids were to see me. I think this volunteering trip helped me be more understanding, patient, kind and grateful. It is so worth it. The locals were so warm and friendly and I felt truly at home and not alone. I truly feel like I got just as much out of the experience as I gave. I learned so much. It's the best way to travel because you are giving back to the community in the process, and you get to experience/see what life is like for the local people.

...

To read all reviews, visit our reviews page.

Academic course credit through International Volunteer HQ and Intern Abroad HQ.

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!

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Volunteer Abroad in Fiji with IVHQ

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 socializing.

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.

Pricing

  • USD
Duration
Program Fee
Due 30 days before you start, or within 48 hours if you register inside of 30 days. Covers the cost of hosting you.
  • USD
1 week $500 Equivalent to $71/day
2 weeks $720 Equivalent to $51/day
3 weeks $945 Equivalent to $45/day
4 weeks $1,165 Equivalent to $42/day
5 weeks $1,365 Equivalent to $39/day
6 weeks $1,570 Equivalent to $37/day
8 weeks $1,980 Equivalent to $35/day
10 weeks $2,410 Equivalent to $34/day
12 weeks $2,820 Equivalent to $34/day
  • Accommodation
  • Meals
  • 24/7 in-country support
  • In-country program orientation
  • Pre-departure support from your Program Manager
  • Airport pick-up
  • Personalized 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.

  • All programs attract a Registration Fee of US$329 (approximately $329) in addition to the Program Fee. This covers all pre-departure support services.
  • A 5% international banking fee is added at point of payment.
  • Additional things to budget for include: Visa, flights, travel insurance (mandatory), vaccinations, criminal background check, public transport to and from your placement each day and return to the airport when your program finishes.
  • Recommended spending money: Volunteers in Fiji generally find US$100 per week to be sufficient for expenses.

Free-time experiences & tours in Fiji

Take your volunteer experience to the next level with IVHQ's affordable activity and tour add-ons in Fiji! Explore your options below and learn how to book them once you've been accepted onto the IVHQ Fiji program.

Fiji Introduction Week
Fiji Introduction Week

The Introduction 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.

$60
Fiji Introduction Week
Fiji Introduction Week

The Introduction 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.

$60

Check what's required to visit Fiji

Safety and support with IVHQ

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.
Learn more about IVHQ's safety

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 characterized by high humidity with heavy downpours followed by sunshine. The dry season is when temperatures are typically cooler with little rainfall.

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How to get started

Pick a destination + project and apply for free
Meet your personal volunteer travel expert
Pay the Registration Fee to secure your place and upgrade your MyIVHQ account
Get ready to volunteer abroad, we’ll support you every step of the way!