Zero risk booking! Free changes & full refund options
Childcare Volunteer Program in Argentina - Cordoba

Childcare Volunteer Program in Argentina - Cordoba

Curious about Childcare volunteering in Argentina - Córdoba? International Volunteer HQ’s Childcare project enables volunteers to help out in local daycares, kindergartens and soup kitchens where children come from disadvantaged communities. Volunteers will gain childcare experience while giving their time, care and attention to children who will have a better chance of continuing their education and later finding the kind of job that could make a real difference to their lives and families.

Highlights:
  • Programs start every Monday
  • Affordable fees from CA$506 for 1 week
  • Includes accommodation, breakfast and dinner, airport pick up, orientation and 24/7 support
  • Help with play, care and education for disadvantaged children

  • Check out Córdoba’s rich history and beautiful ancient buildings

  • Stay in a home with other volunteers in a peaceful neighborhood of Córdoba

Key information

Improves access to quality education
Based in daycares and soup kitchens in Córdoba
Local homestay accommodation
Volunteers aged 16+ and families
Fully hosted experience from CA$506 for 1 week
Durations from 1 - 24 weeks
Spanish lessons available
Up to 5 hours volunteering per day

This program is ideal for:

Volunteers who like interacting with children and have plenty of energy and enthusiasm for playing with and looking after them.
Who is this program suited to?

What to expect and how you'll make an impact

Children in disadvantaged parts of Córdoba often have to quit school early so they can work to support their families. Investment in early childhood education is seen as being key to helping break the poverty cycle by building life skills and strong support systems from a young age. With these in place the children have a better chance at staying in school and gaining employment in the future.

As a Childcare volunteer you’ll be assisting local teachers and staff at daycare centers, kindergartens and soup kitchens. You will act as a positive role model introducing new cultures and ideas that broaden the children’s perspectives and stimulate their curiosity.

Tasks will vary on different placements but are likely to include:

  • Giving children care and affection
  • Setting up and playing educational games
  • Arranging sports and physical activities
  • Supervising arts and crafts

Please note that during the holiday period from mid December to the end of February, volunteers will either assist in outdoor children’s summer holiday programs at local public swimming pools, or on other projects, subject to availability. There is also a two-week school vacation in July, and volunteers are required to switch to another project during this time.

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 Cordoba with IVHQ?

While volunteering on the Childcare project in Córdoba, you’ll be adding value to the local community, while also developing personally and professionally by:

  • Improving access to quality education
  • Helping students grow and learn in a safe space
  • Practicing your Spanish
  • Developing your communication skills
  • Gaining childcare experience
  • Immersing yourself fully in the Argentinian culture
  • Exploring the stunning region and city of Córdoba

Volunteer requirements

  • Volunteers under the age of 16 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian to participate in this program
  • Volunteers aged 16 or 17 on their program start date are required to provide IVHQ with parental consent in order to participate on the program, and may be asked to provide additional document 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
Are you eligible to volunteer?

Submit a free application so we can confirm your eligibility and check availability for your preferred dates.

Apply For Free

Not sure which program to join?

Get personalized recommendations >

What recent volunteers said about their IVHQ experience

LR
Lourdes Ramirez
11 Dec 2023

I feel like I gained so much from this experience in all aspects of my life. Argentina was always a dream of mine to travel to and giving back to a community there was even more than I expected. I fell in love with the people and their culture. There was always something fun to do even if we just stayed at the house, we were able to relax by the pool and enjoy time together. I highly recommend anyone looking to gain a similar experience as mine to join the program, you won’t regret it.

...
AP
Alice Pedretti
11 Aug 2023

I gained a greater knowledge of who I am as a person as well as of the culture I was immersed in. I was able to improve my Spanish a lot as I was immersed in the language all the time. This program is great for growing as a person and meeting people you wouldn’t normally meet in your daily life. It forces you to grow in a positive way. The programs I have done always find a way to take up a special place in my heart as I always feel like I made a positive impact as well as the program impacted me greatly.

...
MH
Michelle Hooker
04 May 2023

Just do it! There was lots of help along the way. It may seem scary, but once you do it, you'll feel really good about it. Travel, in general, is valuable but travel like this is life-changing. I saw how families live, work, eat, and play every day.

...
LA
Lieto Addis
29 Jan 2021

My favorite moments were developing meaningful relationships and creating memorable experiences with the other volunteers at the house and of course with the children at my placement. Overall, my time spent in Argentina as an IVHQ volunteer was absolutely amazing and I am so lucky to have had this experience.

...
JO
Jennifer Owens
29 Jan 2021

Volunteering in Argentina was an experience that I will not forget for a very long time. The people you meet, the work you do, and the surrounding community are all incredible and make you feel welcome no matter how far away you're from!

...
JV
Jennifer Velez
29 Jan 2021

Thank you for the wonderful experience - Argentina has changed my life! I loved the open-minded experiences, meeting locals who showed us around (very genuine good people) and I ended up adopting a dog during the program.

...

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!

Learn about course credit
Volunteer Abroad in Argentina, Córdoba with IVHQ

Location

In the middle of Argentina, IVHQ’s Córdoba projects are set against the breathtaking backdrop of rolling hills and valleys which surround the city. Córdoba is home to Argentina’s second largest university and hundreds of thousands of students who give it a lively, modern flavour. You’ll find great markets, picturesque parks, pumping nightlife and masses of museums, cathedrals and cultural icons just waiting to be discovered.

Arrival and orientation

After you have registered for the program, please book your flights to arrive at the Ambrosio Taravella International Airport (COR) in Córdoba. Your airport pick-up is included in your Program Fee. We recommend that volunteers under the age of 18 travel internationally with a notarized letter of consent from their parents to support their documentation.

When you arrive, you will be greeted at the airport by a member of the local team and taken to the volunteer accommodation in Córdoba. Your accommodation is covered by your Program Fee and includes the night before your program orientation.

If you are traveling in Argentina prior to your volunteer program, we can arrange for you to be picked up in Córdoba on the day before your program orientation. Orientation is hosted by our Córdoba team and begins on the morning of your chosen start date. It covers everything you need to know for your volunteer program in Córdoba – an introduction to Argentina, culture and customs, rules and expectations, safety, travel opportunities, and an introduction to project and placement. The orientation will also give you a chance to meet other volunteers and swap contact details for weekend travel and socializing.

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

Volunteers will have a morning or afternoon shift, which will last around 2 to 5 hours. A typical morning schedule is as follows:

7:30 AM Breakfast at the volunteer accommodation.
8:00 AM Volunteers travel to their placements to join local placement staff. Start time and daily workload depends on the project that the individual volunteer is participating on.
1:00 PM Work at the placement usually ends. Volunteers are free to travel back to the volunteer accommodation, go sightseeing, or do some shopping. If volunteers are taking Spanish language lessons, they will usually do this in the afternoon (or in the morning if they are volunteering in the afternoon).
8:00 PM Dinner at the volunteer accommodation.

Weekends

Maybe the rhythm of Córdoba’s famous cuarteto music will call to your feet, maybe you’ll forage for a flea market bargain, take a trip to the Che Guevara Museum, adventure in the mountains, try Argentina’s beloved Fernet and Coke or spend your time discovering the Jesuit Block. Maybe you’ll do it all and more, or just relax in a peaceful park and sip a coffee. In any case there’s no shortage of things to see and do during your free time in Córdoba. But if it’s time for a change of scene, Córdoba’s central location means it’s easy to hop on a plane or jump in a car or bus and visit Argentina’s buzzy capital, Buenos Aires, or pay a visit to the Mendoza wine region or the city of Rosario. If the outdoors are your thing, there’s plenty of trekking, mountain climbing, horseback riding, paragliding, and abseiling fun to be had in the Córdoba region and nearby.

Accommodation and WiFi

Volunteers are accommodated in a family homestay in Barrio El Refugio, a peaceful neighborhood, 15 - 20 minutes drive from Córdoba airport, and 30 minutes drive to the city center. Your hostess is also your coordinator so our local team will be very easy to approach and always available in case you need anything.

This two-story homestay has great facilities for volunteers, including a barbecue area and a swimming pool which is available in the summer. Bedrooms have single beds and bunk beds and you can expect to share a bedroom with one to three other volunteers of the same gender. Bathrooms with hot showers and western toilets are shared between no more than three other volunteers, and bedding and towels are provided.

A private room (without a private bathroom) can also be requested at an additional cost of US$70 (approximately CA$101) per week for a single room or US$105 (approximately CA$151) per week for a double room. This needs to be paid to our local team in Córdoba and needs to be arranged prior to arrival.

WiFi is available for volunteers to use at the homestay. You can also purchase a local SIM card with data for an unlocked mobile phone to keep connected.

Meals

Breakfast and dinner are served every weekday at the volunteer accommodation. On the weekend you will only be provided with breakfast, however, you will be provided with supplies so that you can prepare your own dinner.

If you have any special dietary requirements, please let us know ahead of time so that we can make arrangements for you. Remember that you should be flexible and open to trying new foods and we will do our best to see that you are well taken care of.

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 CA$506 Equivalent to CA$72/day
2 weeks CA$817 Equivalent to CA$58/day
3 weeks CA$1085 Equivalent to CA$52/day
4 weeks CA$1353 Equivalent to CA$48/day
5 weeks CA$1621 Equivalent to CA$46/day
6 weeks CA$1881 Equivalent to CA$45/day
8 weeks CA$2388 Equivalent to CA$43/day
10 weeks CA$2880 Equivalent to CA$41/day
12 weeks CA$3314 Equivalent to CA$39/day
16 weeks CA$4182 Equivalent to CA$37/day
20 weeks CA$5051 Equivalent to CA$36/day
24 weeks CA$5861 Equivalent to CA$35/day
  • Accommodation
  • Breakfast and dinner
  • 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
  • Discounts on language lessons
  • Discounts on travel and tour add-ons
  • 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 CA$476) in addition to the Program Fee. This covers all pre-departure support services. IVHQ fees are priced in USD but you may elect to pay in CAD.
  • 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, lunch, public transport to and from your placement each day and return to the airport when your program finishes.
  • Recommended spending money: Volunteers in Cordoba generally find US$50 to be sufficient for weekly expenses, including in-country tours and optional Spanish lessons.

Free-time experiences & tours in Argentina

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

BBQ Night
BBQ Night

Experience an authentic home-made Argentinian BBQ with plenty of meat and vegetables.

CA$43
Buenos Aires Overnight Tour
Buenos Aires Overnight Tour

Experience a 2-day round trip tour to Buenos Aires.

CA$225
Cordoba Mountain Tour (Full Day)
Cordoba Mountain Tour (Full Day)

Enjoy a captivating 10 hour guided tour to any of the six different valleys and towns that you have to choose from.

CA$78
BBQ Night
BBQ Night

Experience an authentic home-made Argentinian BBQ with plenty of meat and vegetables.

CA$43
Iguazu Falls Trip
Iguazu Falls Trip

Embark on a captivating three-day journey to witness the largest waterfall system in the world.

CA$1302
Private Virtual Spanish Language Lessons
Private Virtual Spanish Language Lessons

Improve your Spanish skills before volunteering abroad on the Buenos Aires program with our interactive one-to-one online language lessons.

From CA$188
Buenos Aires Overnight Tour
Buenos Aires Overnight Tour

Experience a 2-day round trip tour to Buenos Aires.

CA$225
Cordoba Mountain Tour (Full Day)
Cordoba Mountain Tour (Full Day)

Enjoy a captivating 10 hour guided tour to any of the six different valleys and towns that you have to choose from.

CA$78
Cordoba Mountain Tour (Half Day)
Cordoba Mountain Tour (Half Day)

Enjoy a 4 hour guided tour to any of the six different valleys and towns that you have to choose from.

CA$52

Spanish language lessons

Fluency in Spanish is not a prerequisite for the IVHQ Argentina - Córdoba program, however on certain projects volunteer work will be restricted with limited language ability. IVHQ, therefore, strongly recommends that volunteers take advantage of the very affordable language lessons offered exclusively to IVHQ volunteers. Past volunteers feel that taking these lessons help immensely with day-to-day volunteer work and communicating with local people. Taught by professional Spanish teachers and tailored to each person’s specific needs, the classes run for one hour a day, Monday through Friday. The lessons are arranged with your IVHQ Program Manager prior to departure.

  • 1 hour, private lessons (5 hours per week): CA$112 per week

Check what's required to visit Argentina

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 Buenos Aires
Population 45.1 million
Languages Spanish
Currency Argentine Peso
Time zone UTC-03:00

Weather and climate

Like its topography, Argentina’s climate varies greatly. The climate ranges from subtropical in the north, to humid in the central regions, to sub-Antarctic in the south. Winter, from June to August, is the driest period of the year. The coldest months are June and July and the warmest month is January. Average annual temperatures in Buenos Aires range from 51°F to 83°F (11°C to 28°C).

Other projects you may be interested in

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!