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Childcare Volunteer Program in Arusha, Tanzania
Join Volunteering Solutions as a childcare volunteer in Arusha, Tanzania, where you'll assist at daycare, kindergarten, and children's homes. Volunteers help with childcare, meal prep, administrative tasks, and fundraising to support the children and local staff. Gain valuable experience while supporting under-resourced facilities.
You volunteer at a daycare or kindergarten center in Arusha, working alongside local teachers and caregivers to look after children, help with daily routines, prepare meals, and run games and activity-based learning. Typical placements have around 30 to 40 children, and the role suits anyone from 17 upward with a genuine interest in working with kids, no prior childcare qualification required.
Placements run for 1–24 weeks, with starts every week (Sundays), next departure 27 Sep 2026. You live at the Volunteer House in Arusha, sharing meals cooked on site (lunch is usually packed for the project), from $574 (deposit included). Weekends are free to arrange safaris in the Serengeti and Ngorongoro area with other volunteers, which is one reason people pick Arusha over other placements.
- Volunteer for childcare projects in Arusha, Tanzania, take care of children at the center, assist the local staff in their caretaking, prepare meals for them, play with them and create an interactive and congenial atmosphere for them
- This opportunity is ideal for people who like to work with kids
- During weekends, volunteers can travel around in Tanzania and explore the region with fellow volunteers
- Get to witness game drives and safaris at the world famous Serengeti National Park and also witness the Big 5 of Africa
Your role on this program
- Work alongside local teachers and caregivers to look after children at the daycare or kindergarten center
- Help with daily routines such as washing clothes, feeding children, and preparing meals
- Play games and lead activity-based learning, including helping children with homework
- Suggest simple improvements to staff and help with basic administrative tasks at the center
- Assist staff during children's mealtimes
- Support renovation or construction work at the childcare center when the placement needs it
- Create interactive games and activities to keep children engaged during the day
Exact duties vary with the placement's needs, the season and your experience.
Role boundaries
You support the center's teachers and caregivers and are never left in sole charge of children; a staff member supervises the group at all times. You do not carry out medical, clinical, or disciplinary tasks, and Volunteering Solutions does not place volunteers in orphanages. Duties may vary with the placement's needs.
A typical day and week
In Childcare Volunteering Program in Arusha,Tanzania, your general schedule would be:
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Sunday – Arrival at the destination (Arusha)
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Monday – Orientation + Local Tour
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An orientation session will be conducted by the local coordinator, covering the major topics such as safety, culture, language, places to visit, behavior, food, and other suggestions for things to do in Tanzania
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Tuesday to Friday – Volunteer work at the placement
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Weekends – Free to explore the city / Head out for wildlife safaris and much more
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Breakfast – 07:30 am onwards
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Working hours at the placement – 08:30 am to 12:30 pm and 02:00 pm to 03:00 pm
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Lunch – 12:30 pm onwards
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Dinner – 06:30 pm onwards
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The same work schedule continues from the second week onwards (Monday – Friday)
Note: Please note, the schedule may vary depending on the particular project the volunteer is participating on.
Timings are the placement's usual pattern; the local team confirms your hours at orientation, and they can change with school terms, clinic rotas, weather and the project's needs.
Who can join and what you need
- Minimum age 17 (a parental consent form is required for under-18 participants)
- No prior childcare experience or qualification needed, but a flexible, open-minded attitude is expected
- A genuine interest in working with children and willingness to take initiative
- Clean criminal background check report issued within 12 months of your start date
- Travel and medical insurance, compulsory, either your own policy or one arranged through Volunteering Solutions
- Comfortable working set hours Monday to Friday alongside local staff
The placement, its limits and your part in it
The sample placement, Karibu Foundation Day Care Center, is run by a local team in Arusha and was set up to give children in the community access to kindergarten education, basic care, and a safe daytime environment. Volunteers work inside that existing structure rather than running it, taking direction from the center's own staff on daily routines and activities.
Because the placement involves children, a criminal background check is required before you start, and you are never left in sole charge of a group; teachers and caregivers supervise throughout. Your contribution is extra hands for daily care, activities, and light administrative or maintenance help, not a substitute for trained staff, and the schedule and tasks can shift depending on what the center needs that week.
Our standards
- Responsible volunteer travel policyHow we choose, run and review every project
- Safeguarding policyBackground checks, supervision and our code of conduct with children
- Child & vulnerable adult protectionThe rules every volunteer follows on placement
- Certified B CorporationSocial and environmental performance verified by B Lab
- How we volunteer responsibly in TanzaniaCountry-level partner context and standards
Start dates
Weekly start dates, year-round — pick any week across the next two years.
Program fees by duration
Prices include your $249 booking deposit — which is deducted from your total program fee. Your deposit stays valid for one year, during which you may enroll in multiple programs. A 5% international banking fee applies to credit-card payments in USD or AUD.
| Duration | Total price | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 week | $574 | |
| 2 weeks | $699 | |
| 3 weeks | $824 | |
| 4 weeks | $999 | |
| 5 weeks | $1,174 | |
| 6 weeks | $1,344 | |
| 7 weeks | $1,519 | |
| 8 weeks | $1,694 | |
| Each additional week | +$175 / week |
Indicative conversion — your booking is charged in the currency you choose at checkout.
✓ What you're paying for
- 24 hrs Assistance and support from Staff
- Comprehensive Pre- Departure Information
- Airport Pickup at Kilimanjaro Airport or Bus station in Arusha
- Orientation
- Food
- Accommodation at Volunteer House
- Assistance in booking weekend safari trips and other tours
- Travel & Medical Insurance(Available at an extra cost)
- Certificate of Participation(On Request)
Not included
- Airfare
- Visa and Work Permit Fee
- Return Airport Drop(Can be arranged at extra cost)
- Local Transportation
- Vaccinations
- Personal Expenses
Accommodation & meals
Airport Transfer
You will be met by our representative at Kilimanjaro International Airport in Kilimanjaro region from where you are transferred to the volunteer house accommodation in Arusha.Volunteers can also arrive in Nairobi and take a direct shuttle or bus to Arusha. They will be picked up at the bus station.For those participants arriving from Dar Es Salaam or Zanzibar, pickup can also be arranged from the much smaller Arusha airport, which serves only domestic flights currently.
Accommodation
Volunteering Solutions offers accommodations for volunteers in a dedicated volunteer house located in Arusha.The housing consists of shared rooms, with options for private upgrades available.The volunteer house includes several rooms and apartments where volunteers can live together comfortably. A well-equipped kitchen is staffed with cooks, and security personnel ensure a safe environment.
Conveniently situated about a 25-minute walk from the main clock tower, the heart of Arusha Town, the house features a spacious common area where volunteers can unwind, socialize, and engage in games like snooker or table tennis. Wi-Fi access is also provided throughout the house.
For laundry needs, there is a designated washing area for volunteers where you can hand wash your clothes. Alternatively volunteers give their clothes for washing to house helpers at an extra charge or give it to the laundry.Safety is prioritised with CCTV cameras installed and a security guard on duty. The volunteer house has the capacity to accommodate over 50 volunteers.
Orientation
All volunteers will be provided with an orientation session by the local coordinator. Areas like safety, locations, transportation, things to see etc will be covered in the Orientation. After your orientation is over, you will be introduced to your project and given a tour of the local area and town.
Meals
Volunteers are provided with 3 meals in a day. Typical meals include a mix of western and Tanzanian dishes. Sample of meals at the volunteer house are :-
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For Breakfast : Hot water with option of black tea and coffee,Toasted Bread with Butter, Jam and Seasonal Fruits, and Eggs
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For Lunch and Dinner : Rice,Spaghetti, Salad,Mashed Potato,French Fries, Chapati as well as other Tanzanian dishes and fruits.
Breakfast and dinner are at the volunteer house while lunch is usually packed for you to eat the placement or can be taken if you are back at the accommodation from the project.
During your Free Time
While in Arusha you will also be interested to travel around and see some of the best and most popular tourist locations. Majority of the participants travel to Masai lands as well go for a safari trip. Going on a safari trip is a must on the trip to Tanzania. The country offers some of the best Safari and wildlife trips in the world. You can travel to Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Serengeti National Park, Lake Manyara and Tarangire National Park. Some other local sightseeing options include snake park,Arusha National Park,Lake Duluti,Chemka Hot Springs and Materuni Waterfalls.
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Life on the program
Getting there and who looks after you in Tanzania
Airport or bus station pickup
You are met at Kilimanjaro International Airport, or at the Arusha bus station if arriving by shuttle from Nairobi, or at Arusha's domestic airport if coming from Dar es Salaam or Zanzibar, and taken to the Volunteer House.
First day, Sunday
You arrive and settle into the Volunteer House, meeting other volunteers over dinner.
Orientation and local tour, Monday
The local coordinator runs an orientation covering safety, culture, language, and practical tips, followed by a tour of the placement and Arusha town.
First project days, Tuesday onward
You start at the childcare center Tuesday to Friday, following the same working hours each week, with the local team available for support.
Weekends
Weekends are free; many volunteers arrange safaris to Serengeti, Ngorongoro, or Lake Manyara through the local team.
From volunteers in Tanzania
Frequently asked questions
What do childcare volunteers actually do in Arusha?
You help local teachers and caregivers with daily routines at a daycare or kindergarten center, including feeding and washing clothes, preparing meals, and running games and homework help, plus occasional light admin or maintenance work.
Do I need childcare experience or a qualification to join?
No experience is required; you need an open, flexible attitude and a genuine interest in working with children, since you work under the direction of the center's own staff.
What are the working hours and days?
Placements run Monday to Friday, roughly 8:30am to 12:30pm and 2:00pm to 3:00pm, with weekends free; some volunteers choose to stay for the afternoon session but it is optional.
How long can I volunteer for and when do programs start?
Placements run for 1–24 weeks, with a new intake every week (Sundays); the next start is 27 Sep 2026.
What does the program cost and what is included?
Programs start from $574 (deposit included), covering accommodation at the Volunteer House, meals, airport pickup, orientation, and 24-hour local support; the $249 deposit counts toward the total and is refundable if no placement can be offered.
Where do I live and what will I eat?
You stay at the Volunteer House in Arusha in a shared room, with private upgrades available, and get three meals a day cooked on site; lunch is usually packed for you to eat at the placement.
How does airport pickup work?
You are collected at Kilimanjaro International Airport, or at the Arusha bus station if arriving by shuttle from Nairobi, or Arusha's domestic airport, and driven straight to the Volunteer House.
Is a background check required for this program?
Yes, because the placement involves children you must provide a clean criminal background check report issued within 12 months of your start date; under-18 participants also need a signed parental consent form.
Will I ever be left alone in charge of children?
No, local teachers and caregivers supervise at all times and you work alongside them rather than taking sole responsibility for the group.
What support is available once I'm there?
The local coordinator runs your orientation and stays available through a 24-hour emergency contact, and the Volunteer House has cooks, CCTV, and a security guard.
Do I need a visa or vaccinations?
Visa and vaccination requirements are not covered in the program fee; specific pre-departure guidance on this is sent to you before you travel.
Who is this program a good fit for?
It suits anyone from 17 upward who enjoys working with children, is comfortable with a set weekday schedule, and wants to combine hands-on volunteering with free weekends for travel around northern Tanzania.
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