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Volunteer work in Day Care Centre At Cusco, Peru
Volunteers in the Day Care Centre programme in Peru get an opportunity to help, guide and play with children aged between six months to four years old, meet passionate volunteers from around the globe.
You work in small daycare and kindergarten centres in Cusco, Peru, caring for children aged six months to four years, most of them between one and two years old. Day to day you play with the children, help with feeding and general care, run arts and crafts activities, and teach basic English to the older children who are preparing for kindergarten. The programme suits volunteers who enjoy working with young children and want a hands-on, flexible role, with a minimum age of 17.
Placements run 1–24 weeks, with new starts twice a month (sundays) (next start 20 Sep 2026). You live with a host family in a shared room and eat three home-cooked meals a day with them Monday to Friday; weekends are your own. Prices start at £633, deposit included. Each centre typically has only one paid caregiver and basic supplies, so an extra pair of hands for daily care and pre-kindergarten preparation is the main reason to choose this project.
- Volunteer at a Daycare centre in Peru and take care of toddlers
- Opportunity to be a part of social welfare team to help make a positive difference in the lives of the children
- Volunteers are placed in local childcare and kindergarten centres
- As a volunteer, responsibilities include taking a day to day care of the children, playing with them, teaching some English lessons too or arranging creative activities such as drawing or arts and crafts.
- Opportunity is ideal for people who like working with kids and have worked with children in the past. Intermediate Spanish skills will be high for the project
- Opportunity to meet passionate volunteers from around the globe
Prices, durations, start dates and the minimum age come straight from our booking system for this programme. Programme facts reviewed 13 Sep 2026.
Your role on this programme
- Play with and supervise toddlers aged six months to four years, most between one and two years old
- Assist the centre's single caregiver with daily routines such as feeding and general care
- Teach basic English lessons to older children preparing for kindergarten
- Organize arts and crafts and other creative activities for the children
- Help older children with basic pre-kindergarten skills such as spelling
- Support the caregiver with administrative tasks at the centre as needed
- Create a structured environment for children who otherwise have no fixed daily schedule
Exact duties vary with the placement's needs, the season and your experience.
Role boundaries
You work alongside and under the direction of the centre's caregiver and the local coordinator; you are not a substitute for trained childcare staff and do not make care, medical, or disciplinary decisions on your own. Duties may vary with the placement's needs.
A typical day and week
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Sunday – Arrival in Cusco, Peru
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Monday – An orientation session will be conducted by the local coordinator, informing the volunteers about relative topics such as safety, culture, language, places to visit, behaviour, food, and other suggestion over things to do in Peru.
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Tue to Fri – Volunteer Work
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Weekends: Free to explore the city/ Head out for Machu Picchu, Sacred Valley etc
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Breakfast – 07:00 am to 08:00 am
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Working hours at the placement – 09:00 am to 01:00 pm and 02:00 pm to 03:00 pm (The second shifts depends on the requirement at the placement)
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Lunch – 01:00 pm to 02:00 pm
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Dinner – 07:00 pm to 08:00 pm
The same volunteer work schedule continues from the second week onwards.
Note: Please note, the schedule may vary depending on the particular project the volunteer is participating in.
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
- Clean criminal background check report submitted before the start date
- Parental consent form required for participants under 18
- Beginner to intermediate Spanish is an advantage for this project
- Open-minded, flexible attitude and genuine interest in working with young children
- Proactive attitude with willingness to take initiative
- Valid travel/medical insurance, your own policy or the one arranged by Volunteering Solutions
- Previous experience with children is helpful but not stated as mandatory
The placement, its limits and your part in it
You are placed in local daycare and kindergarten centres around Cusco. Each centre typically runs with a single paid caregiver and basic facilities, so volunteers are added to help with daily care, activities, and simple lessons rather than to run the centre. Work is organized and supervised by the centre's caregiver together with the local Volunteering Solutions coordinator in Cusco.
Because the work involves children, a clean background check is required before the start date, and volunteers work under supervision rather than independently. Your contribution is limited to the hours and tasks assigned at the centre — playing with children, supporting basic care, and helping with activities and English lessons — and does not replace professional childcare staff or set policy for the centre.
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 PeruCountry-level partner context and standards
Start dates
Weekly start dates, year-round — pick any week across the next two years.
Programme fees by duration
Prices include your £179 booking deposit — which is deducted from your total programme fee. Your deposit stays valid for one year, during which you may enrol in multiple programmes. A 5% international banking fee applies to credit-card payments in USD or AUD.
| Duration | Total price | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 week | £633 | |
| 2 weeks | £760 | |
| 3 weeks | £918 | |
| 4 weeks | £1,062 | |
| 5 weeks | £1,232 | |
| 6 weeks | £1,381 | |
| 7 weeks | £1,551 | |
| 8 weeks | £1,721 | |
| Each additional week | +£277 / 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 VS Staff
- Comprehensive Pre- Departure Information
- Pickup from Cusco Airport or Bus Station
- Orientation
- Accommodation in a homestay
- Meals from Monday to Friday
- Insurance (Provided at an extra cost)
- Certificate Of Completion (Upon Request)
Not included
- Airfare
- Visa and Visa extension fee
- Return airport drop and airport taxes
- Local Transportation
- Any personal expenses
Accommodation & meals
Airport Transfer
As soon as you land at Cusco Airport, our friendly local coordinator or representative will be there to greet you. If you’re travelling overland or are already in Peru, we’ll arrange a convenient pickup at a designated meeting point or bus station. You´ll see the VolSol logo and your name at the airport door.
Orientation
Get ready for an exciting journey with our orientation! Our local staff will introduce you to key aspects of life in Peru, covering topics like culture, greetings, transportation, safety, and your volunteer placements. This session will help you feel right at home!
Accommodation
Experience authentic Peruvian culture by staying with a local host family! You’ll share a cozy room with fellow volunteers, giving you the chance to bond and make new friends. Most host families have two bathrooms equipped with hot showers, and the accommodations are clean and comfortable. Many homes also offer Wi-Fi and cable TV for your convenience.
Meals
Enjoy delicious home-cooked meals with your host family, served three times a day from Monday to Friday. The menu varies daily and typically includes mouth-watering soups, fresh salads, rice, potatoes, refreshing juices, and delightful desserts.
During your Free Time
During your free time, feel free to explore, shop, or relax! Most weekends, volunteers seize the opportunity to visit the breathtaking Sacred Valley or the world-renowned Machu Picchu, the lost city of the Incas. In Cusco, take a leisurely stroll around the Plaza de Armas, discovering local restaurants and vibrant shopping areas along the way.
Life on the programme
Getting there and who looks after you in Peru
Airport or bus station pickup
You arrive on a Sunday and are met at Cusco Airport (CUZ), or at the bus station if arriving overland, by a local coordinator holding the VolSol logo and your name.
First night with your host family
You settle into your host family homestay, sharing a room with other volunteers, on your arrival day.
Orientation on Monday
The local coordinator runs an orientation covering culture, safety, transport, and your placement, including a walking city tour.
First day at the daycare centre
Volunteer work at the centre starts Tuesday and continues through Friday, with the same weekly pattern from the second week onward.
Ongoing support
The in-country coordinator and a 24-hour emergency contact are available throughout your placement.
From volunteers in Peru
Frequently asked questions
What do volunteers actually do at the daycare centre?
You play with and help care for children aged six months to four years, assist the centre's caregiver with daily routines, run arts and crafts activities, and teach basic English to older children preparing for kindergarten.
Who is this programme suitable for?
It suits volunteers aged 17 and up who enjoy working with young children and are comfortable with a flexible, hands-on role; some Spanish and prior experience with children are helpful.
What are the working hours?
You generally work Monday to Friday, mornings from 9am to 1pm, with a possible second shift to 3pm depending on what the placement needs.
How long can I volunteer and when do placements start?
Placements run 1–24 weeks, with new starts twice a month (sundays); the next start date is 20 Sep 2026.
What does the programme cost and what is included?
Prices start at £633, deposit included; this covers airport or bus station pickup, orientation, homestay accommodation, meals Monday to Friday, and 24-hour staff support. Insurance, airfare, visa fees, local transport, and personal expenses are not included.
Where do I live and what meals are provided?
You stay with a host family in a shared room with other volunteers, with hot showers and often Wi-Fi and cable TV, and receive three home-cooked meals a day Monday to Friday; weekend meals are on your own.
How does airport pickup work?
A local coordinator meets you at Cusco Airport, or at the bus station if you travel overland, holding the VolSol logo and your name.
What support is available once I arrive?
You get an orientation covering culture, safety, and your placement, plus an in-country coordinator in Cusco and a 24-hour emergency contact throughout the programme.
Is a background check required?
Yes, all volunteers must submit a clean criminal background check report before joining, since the placement involves working with young children.
Do I need to speak Spanish?
A beginner to intermediate level of Spanish is an advantage for this project, though it is not stated as mandatory.
What about insurance and visas?
Travel/medical insurance is compulsory, either your own policy or the one Volunteering Solutions arranges; visa requirements and any extension fees are not included, and further guidance is sent before departure.
What am I not responsible for at the centre?
You work under the supervision of the centre's caregiver and local coordinator; you do not make medical or disciplinary decisions and are not a substitute for trained childcare staff.
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