We had the best time! For anyone who is thinking about it just go and do it! It is an amazing experience! Don’t be worried about going solo, loads of people both male and female were there solo. You’ll have the best time!
Childcare Volunteer Program in Bali - Ubud
Purpose
Start dates
Duration
Volunteer hours
Age
Accommodation
Who is going?
Group video calls
Once you have secured your place, join regular video calls to meet your Program Manager and other volunteers before your trip.
This program is ideal for:
Volunteers who genuinely enjoy working with children and understand how they behave. There will be lots of fun, laughter, noise and excitement. You’ll be working with a local team so no experience is necessary.
Project details
Eager to volunteer in Childcare in Bali - Ubud? With International Volunteer HQ’s Childcare project, volunteers can assist with early childhood education and share valuable English language skills with their young students. Volunteers gain childcare experience and have the chance to explore Bali’s lush landscapes while local children get to improve their English in a fun and interactive way and learn about other cultures.
What to expect and how you'll make an impact
As far as language learning goes, the earlier you start, the better. In Ubud, children are taught English from kindergarten onwards. Interacting with native speaking volunteers will give them a head start and help with pronunciation and other language skills. Bali’s tourism industry requires employees to speak English, so early education helps give local children a future with better job prospects and opportunities.
As a Childcare volunteer, you’ll help local teachers with general lessons and English for children between the ages of 4 and 6. This program runs for two hours each morning with two hours of lesson planning in the afternoon.
Childcare volunteer work varies but usually you’ll be:
- Assisting local teachers with English lessons
- Playing with and caring for children
- Setting up activities and games
- Sharing your language and culture
*Important dates to note:**
Closures – During school holiday periods, the Childcare project will be closed.
- December 22, 2025 – January 2, 2026
- June 2 – August 31, 2026
- December 21, 2026 – January 2, 2027
Special Events & Holidays
- March 18–20, 2026 – Balinese New Year (Nyepi Day)Standard project work will not be available. Volunteers will take part in light community activities, such as school cleaning, repairs, and renovations, with the rest of the day free to enjoy local festivities.
Why do Childcare volunteering in Ubud with IVHQ?
While volunteering on the Childcare project in Ubud, you’ll be adding value to the local community, while also developing personally and professionally by:
- Providing a safe space for children to learn
- Sharing your language and culture
- Gaining experience in childcare and teaching English
- Developing your cross-cultural communication skills
- Immersing yourself fully in Balinese life
- Exploring Ubud’s rich culture and natural environment
Volunteer requirements
All volunteers joining for more than 30 days must obtain a C6 Visa. This visa does have additional costs to the program fee and can take up to 15 working days to process.
To respect the local culture and customs in Bali, volunteers should be aware that they’re unable to have anything obstructing their face while at their volunteer placement.
Volunteers need to be at least 16 years or over to participate on this project independently. If volunteering with a parent or guardian can participate from the age of 3, and must provide IVHQ with parental consent in order to participate on the program, and may be asked to provide additional document to the local team.
Volunteers aged 16 or 17 on their start date, if unable to obtain a criminal background check, can provide two character reference letters instead.
Volunteers aged over 18 on their start date are required to provide a criminal background check to IVHQ before departure.
All volunteers must speak English and 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.
Not sure which program to join?
Get personalized recommendations >
Who is going?
Group video calls
Once you have secured your place, join regular video calls to meet your Program Manager and other volunteers before your trip.
Bali photo gallery
Academic course credit
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 creditRecommended online TEFL course
Recommended online TEFL course
We encourage volunteers on IVHQ’s Teaching and Childcare projects to come prepared by completing some relevant training, such as a Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) course. Although formal teaching qualifications are not required on these projects as volunteers are supported by local staff, taking a TEFL course enables you to gain more from the experience. Visit our Online TEFL Course page to learn how to gain an internationally recognized TEFL certification at a discounted rate.
Get TEFL certified onlineLocation
Location
Set among lush rice paddies and ancient temples, IVHQ’s Ubud program will send you back in time. The 14 villages that make up the historical town of Ubud have streets lined with statues and ornate temples that ooze old-world charm. Ubud is also known for its artistic flair, with countless art galleries, artists’ workshops, craft shops and markets to explore.
Arrival and orientation
The Bali volunteer program orientation begins every Monday and volunteers need to arrive in Bali on the Sunday before orientation.
After you have registered for the program, please book your flights to arrive at the Ngurah Rai International Airport, also known as Denpasar International Airport (DPS). 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 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. Your accommodation is covered by your program fee and includes the night before your program orientation.
If you are in Bali prior to your volunteer program, we can arrange for you to be picked up in Ubud or Denpasar on the day before your program orientation.
From June to September due to high demand, the local team requests that volunteers arrive on Sundays for airport pick-up. The volunteer house cannot accommodate early arrivals. If you arrive earlier, you can arrange your own accommodation until Sunday and meet the team at an alternative pick-up location. This also applies after the program, as check-out is on Saturday.
There are two options for orientation for the Bali - Ubud Program:
1-day Orientation:
The 1-day orientation begins on your selected start date and covers everything you need to know for your volunteer program. You will have an introduction to the IVHQ Bali - Ubud Program and the local staff, Indonesian customs, rules, expectations, and safety. This will be followed by a project-specific meeting with the project preparation you’ll need to complete for the following day. Volunteers on the Turtle Conservation project choosing this option will need to arrive into Denpasar International Airport (DPS) on the Sunday before 1pm. As you will be transferred straight to Nusa Penida for your one-day orientation the following day.
5-day Culture Week:
The second option is Culture Week, hosted by our Bali team in Ubud. The Culture 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 Bali, plus you’ll gain a deeper understanding of local traditions, learn more about the culture and get to tick off a must-do Bali experiences! The Culture Week 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 - A typical volunteer day is as follows:
| 7:30 AM | Breakfast at the volunteer house. |
| 8:00 AM | Volunteers go to the placement and help for 2-3 hours. |
| 12:00 PM | Volunteers break for lunch. |
| 2:00 PM | Volunteers spend 1-2 hours planning for their project the following day. |
| 5:00 PM | Volunteer work finishes. Volunteers are free to visit local sites or go shopping. |
| 5:00 - 6:30 PM | Dinner at the volunteer house. |
Please note that the schedule may occasionally change due to weather, public or school holidays, or other unforeseen events that could affect your placement. We recommend checking in advance whether your intended travel dates coincide with any public or school holidays.
Weekends
Whether you’re into arts and crafts, ancient history, exploring nature or after an adrenaline rush, there’s plenty to satisfy you in and around Ubud. You can fill your weekends with statues, museums and temples, hiking to the summit of Mt Batur, seeing waterfalls, snorkeling, white-water rafting, art galleries, shopping at markets or visiting small farms and rice paddies.
Ubud’s central location also makes it easy to get to other places in Bali like the capital city of Denpasar and the glorious beaches and villages that line the southern coast - all less than an hour away by taxi.
Accommodation and WiFi
You’ll be staying in a volunteer house, located about 15 minutes’ drive from central Ubud. The volunteer houses are set in small villages, which it’s a great way to see typical Balinese life.
Living conditions are comfortable and all volunteer houses have fans in the bedrooms. Volunteers can expect to share a dormitory-style room with up to seven other volunteers. These bedrooms are separated by gender. The bathroom is shared with a hot water shower and western toilets. There is a large outdoor dining area for volunteers to socialise and enjoy their meals together.
WiFi is available at the volunteer accommodation and there are great internet cafes in Ubud if you would like to access a higher speed connection.
Each volunteer house has a security guard at night and there is 10:30pm curfew every night at the volunteer accommodation, please be considerate and reduce noise.
If you wish to arrive a day earlier than your recommended arrival date or spend a few extra nights after finishing your program, we can arrange extra nights of accommodation for you at £56 per person per night, including meals, subject to availability. You will be able to book extra nights via your profile after you register.
Private room upgrades starting from £142 per room per week. These are subject to availability and once you have registered you will be able to request an upgrade. These are located a 3 - 5 minutes walk outside from the main centre.
Meals
As a volunteer in Bali, you’ll have the chance to experience the island’s rich and flavorful food while staying at the volunteer accomodation. Meals are primarily inspired by traditional Balinese-style cuisine, which focuses on light, plant based ingredients and locally sourced produce.
Typical daily meals include staples such as rice, fresh vegetables, tempeh and tofu, along with popular Indonesian favorites like:
- Nasi Goreng - Fried rice with vegetables and spices
- M-ie Goreng - Stir-fried noodles with vegetables
- Gado-Gado - A hearty mix of vegetables topped with creamy peanut (satay) sauce
To add some variety, the meals follow a monthly rotating schedule usually with western-style meals served twice a week. For breakfast, volunteers can expect options like pancakes, toast, cereal, eggs, fresh fruit, and traditional Balinese cakes. Coffee, and tea are available throughout the day, as well as purified drinking water, as tap water is not suitable for drinking. Bottled water is also easy to purchase and inexpensive throughout Bali.
Meals are provided three times a day on weekdays, and breakfast and dinner on weekends. If you feel like exploring the local culinary scene, there are plenty of restaurants within walking distance that offer affordable and delicious options.
If you have any dietary requirements, including vegan, vegetarian, lactose and gluten intolerance, please let us know ahead of time so that we can make appropriate arrangements for you. However, it’s essential to remain flexible as your meals may not be your typical eating habits at home.
Pricing
Spots are limited. For a Registration Fee of just US$329 (approximately £259) you secure your spot and unlock all our preparation and training tools.
You don't need to worry about paying your Program Fee until you get closer to your start date.
|
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.
|
|---|---|
| 1 week | $395 Equivalent to $56/day |
| 2 weeks | $577 Equivalent to $41/day |
| 3 weeks | $759 Equivalent to $36/day |
| 4 weeks | $946 Equivalent to $34/day |
| 5 weeks | $1,123 Equivalent to $32/day |
| 6 weeks | $1,280 Equivalent to $30/day |
| 8 weeks | $1,589 Equivalent to $28/day |
| 10 weeks | $1,898 Equivalent to $27/day |
| 12 weeks | $2,207 Equivalent to $26/day |
- All programs attract a Registration Fee of US$329 (approximately £259) in addition to the Program Fee. This covers all pre-departure support services.
- A 5% international banking fee is added at point of payment.
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner
- Airport pick-up
- Transport to and from your volunteer project
- Accommodation
- 24/7 in-country emergency support
- In-country program orientation
- Pre-departure support from your Program Manager
- Personalised preparation tools, guides and check lists
- Access to IVHQ’s preferred insurance and flights partners
- Comprehensive in-country day to day support and guidance
- 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.
- Return to the airport when your program finishes
- Flights
- Visa (if required), travel insurance (mandatory), vaccinations, criminal background check.
- Personal spending money for snacks, laundry, public transportation, drinks and leisure activities during your free time.
Popular add-ons & experiences in Ubud
Take your volunteer experience to the next level with these popular add-ons and experiences. Explore your options below and learn how to book them once you've been accepted onto the IVHQ Ubud program.
Are you ready for an action-packed week filled with adventure and unforgettable experiences in Bali?
Your ultimate Bali adventure starts here - on our 12-day group tour you’ll snorkel with sea turtles, ride epic waves, and explore lush rice terraces, all while travelling with an amazing group of adventurers who’ll feel like family by the end.
Ready to unlock a deeper connection between mind, body, and spirit?
Check what's required to visit Bali
Entry requirements can change at any time, so it's important you monitor this right up until you depart for your trip.
Safety and support
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.
Essential country information
Essential country information
| Capital | Denpasar |
| Population | 4.22 million |
| Languages | Bahasa Indonesia |
| Currency | Indonesia Rupiah (IDR) |
| Time zone | UTC+08:00 |
Weather and climate
Bali has a tropical climate with year-round warm weather and an average temperature of 30°C (86°F). High humidity can be expected during the wet season from October to April. The dry season is between the months of May and September and has the lowest humidity.
What recent volunteers said about their IVHQ experience
Take the plunge with IVHQ. The program was well managed and we felt safe throughout our entire stay in Ubud.
After volunteering, I felt that I learned that the people in Bali were extremely friendly and would say hi even if you didn’t know them. The kids that we were teaching actually appreciated what we did for them.
It was a really incredible experience and while you may choose to go for one reason, there will be many reasons that will make you want to stay. It was amazing learning about all the cultural differences as well as feeling that we have made an impact in someone else's life. I have made some incredible friends from around the world through this project and would definitely come back again.
To read all reviews, visit our reviews page.
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