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Childcare and Social Welfare Program in the Philippines
Volunteer with local childcare centers and social welfare projects and take care of children from underserved communities in and around Tacloban region.
In Tacloban and the surrounding region, you work at local childcare centers and social welfare projects that support children from underserved communities, including boys in social welfare residential care. Day to day you assist local staff and teachers with mentoring in reading, writing, and math, lead dance, sports, music, and art activities, help with caregiving tasks, and support occasional fundraising, administrative, or IT work. The program suits volunteers aged 17 and over who want hands-on experience with children, no prior childcare experience required.
Placements run for 2–24 weeks, with a new start every week (sundays); the next intake begins 13 Sep 2026. You live with a host family in the Tacloban area, sharing a room or having a private room, and eat breakfast and dinner with them, arranging your own lunch. Programs start at $1,139 (deposit included), and the fee includes two organized excursions to local sites such as San Juanico Bridge and the MacArthur Landing Memorial Park.
- Volunteering opportunity at local childcare centers in Philippines
- Get to live with locals and take care of children from underserved communities
- Responsibilities include assisting local staff, periodically taking part in fundraising activities, assisting in administrative and IT tasks
- Volunteers work on weekdays, for 5-6 hours a day and weekends are free to explore the city
- A rewarding opportunity for responsible travelers, and gap year travelers looking to make their year meaningful
Prices, durations, start dates and the minimum age come straight from our booking system for this program. Program facts reviewed 13 Sep 2026.
Your role on this program
- Assist local teachers and caregivers with mentoring in reading, writing, and math
- Lead or support dance, sports, music, and games sessions with children
- Run art and craft activities for children at the center
- Facilitate focus group discussions on relevant topics with older children
- Help with day-to-day caregiving activities under staff supervision
- Assist local staff with administrative and IT tasks at the placement
- Take part in occasional fundraising activities for the center
Exact duties vary with the placement's needs, the season and your experience.
Role boundaries
Volunteers support local teachers, social workers, and houseparents and are never left in sole charge of children; all activities are carried out under the supervision of placement staff. Volunteering Solutions does not place volunteers in orphanages, and volunteers do not make clinical, legal, or welfare decisions about a child's care.
A typical day and week
A typical volunteer schedule under this program is as follows;
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Saturday/Sunday – Arrival
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Monday – Orientation. An orientation session will be conducted by the local coordinator, covering topic areas; such as safety, culture, language, places to visit, behavior, food, and other suggestions over things to do in the Philippines
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Monday to Friday – Volunteer Work
Breakfast – 6:00 am
Volunteer work – 08:00 am to 12:00 pm and 01:30 pm to 04:00 pm
Lunch – 12:00 pm to 01:00 pm (volunteers need to arrange lunch at own cost. They can choose to go home and cook for lunch or can buy a meal at any of the nearest food joints.)
Dinner – 06:00 pm onwards -
Weekends – Free to explore the city
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 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; parental consent required for participants under 18
- No previous childcare experience required, but a genuine interest in working with children
- Clean criminal background check report, issued within 12 months of the start date
- Fit and in good health at the time of joining the program
- Open-minded and flexible attitude toward working in a new environment
- Travel and medical insurance, either your own policy or the one Volunteering Solutions arranges
The placement, its limits and your part in it
Placements are at local childcare centers and social welfare projects in and around Tacloban, run by local staff, social workers, and houseparents who care for children from underserved communities on an ongoing basis. Volunteers work inside the center's existing routine, alongside these staff, rather than running independent activities of their own.
You are never left in sole charge of children, and all activities are supervised by placement staff; a clean criminal background check is required before you start. Volunteering Solutions does not place volunteers in orphanages. Your contribution is additional support for the center's day-to-day work, extra hands for mentoring, activities, and administrative tasks, alongside the permanent staff who remain responsible for the children's care.
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 PhilippinesCountry-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 | |
|---|---|---|
| 2 weeks | $1,139 | |
| 3 weeks | $1,289 | |
| 4 weeks | $1,439 | |
| 5 weeks | $1,589 | |
| 6 weeks | $1,739 | |
| 7 weeks | $1,889 | |
| 8 weeks | $2,039 | |
| Each additional week | +$200 / week |
Indicative conversion — your booking is charged in the currency you choose at checkout.
✓ What you're paying for
- Airport Pickup and Drop Off
- Welcome Orientation – Program Orientation
City Tour & Placement Orientation - Accommodation in a Filipino Host Family
- 2 Meals a Day
- Detailed Pre Departure Info Pack
- Project Placement
- 24 hrs Assistance and support from in country staff
- Travel and Medical Insurance (Available at an extra cost)
- Certificate of Participation(On Request)
Not included
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- Visa
- Vaccinations
- Flights
- Local Transportation
- Personal Expenses
Accommodation & meals
Airport Transfer
Volunteers are picked up from and dropped off at Tacloban Airport by a local representative staff member. Volunteers can arrive on Saturday or Sunday before starting their orientation on Monday.
Orientation
Orientation takes place on the Monday and includes comprehensive coverage of a number of relevant topics. It is given by a qualified staff member of the local team. Orientation includes the following activities:
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Introduction to the program, its history, structure, and organization
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Introduction to the Philippines and the Filipino Culture
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What to expect from the Volunteer Program
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Health and Safety Briefing
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Behavior Policy Briefing
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Introduction to the actual placement, with special attention to transportation
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Introduction to the placement staff and volunteers
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Accommodation
Volunteers will live with homestay families residing in the Tacloban area. The homestays have been thoroughly evaluated before they were accepted into our homestay program. are experienced in accommodating international volunteers. Prior to your arrival, you will receive a profile outlining the specifics of your homestay family.
Your homestay will welcome you into their home and treat you as a member of the family. By living with them, you will be able to experience Filipino culture and participate in their daily activities. You will eat the same food they are eating, though your homestay family knows what foreigners like to eat. If you have special dietary requirements, it is best to inform us beforehand so we can meet your needs. You will be served only two meals per day, breakfast and dinner. Your homestay will also provide you with filtered drinking water, as it is best not to drink tap water. All the homestays have electricity and running water. You will have a private room by yourself or shared with a fellow volunteer. You also are provided a mosquito net and electric fan. The bathroom or toilet, commonly called “comfort room or CR” will be shared with all the family members.
Bathroom accommodation is basic and the volunteer will take cold, bucket baths because hot running showers are uncommon in Filipino homes – don’t worry too much about this as cold bucket baths are often refreshing after being in the tropical heat all day. Finally, volunteers will also have to get used to the sound of roosters crowing even before the break of dawn.
Meals
During your time as a volunteer, you will be provided with two meals a day (breakfast and dinner) by your homestay. Aside from this, access to safe drinking water will also be provided by your homestay. All meals will be served with rice and typically include fish, chicken or pork. Homestays can cater for special dietary restrictions, however, we require that you include this in the application form.
During your Free Time
The local coordinating team in the Philippines arranges for the volunteers to go on two excursions. On one of the trips, volunteers visit the local areas of interest such as San Juanico Bridge, the Santo Nino Shrine and the MacArthur Landing Memorial Park. Volunteers will get an opportunity to experience the natural beauty of the tropical island of Leyte.
Life on the program
Getting there and who looks after you in Philippines
Airport pickup
A local representative meets you at Tacloban Airport (TAC); you fly via Manila or Cebu and arrive on the Saturday or Sunday before orientation.
First night
You settle in with your host family, who you live with for the rest of the program.
Orientation
On Monday, the local team runs a full-day orientation with a city tour, covering safety, culture, language, behavior, food, and an introduction to your placement and its staff.
First day and ongoing support
After orientation you begin work at your placement, Monday to Friday; the local team provides 24-hour in-country assistance throughout your stay.
From volunteers in Philippines
Frequently asked questions
What will I actually do as a volunteer?
You assist local staff with mentoring in reading, writing, and math, lead dance, sports, music, and art activities, help with caregiving tasks, and support occasional fundraising, administrative, or IT work, depending on the placement's needs.
Do I need experience or qualifications to join?
No previous childcare experience is required; you need a genuine interest in working with children, to be fit and healthy, and to meet the 17 minimum age, with parental consent needed if you are under 18.
What does a typical day look like?
Volunteer work runs Monday to Friday, 8am-12pm and 1:30pm-4pm, with breakfast at 6am and dinner from 6pm at your host family; lunch is arranged and paid for on your own, and weekends are free.
How long can I volunteer and when can I start?
Placements run for 2–24 weeks, with a new start every week (sundays); the next available start date is 13 Sep 2026.
What does the program cost and what is included?
Programs start at $1,139, deposit included; the fee covers airport pickup and drop-off, orientation, host family accommodation, two meals a day, project placement, in-country support, and two excursions to local sites of interest.
Where do I live and what meals are provided?
You live with a host family in the Tacloban area, in a private or shared room, and are served breakfast and dinner with the family plus filtered drinking water; lunch is your own arrangement.
How do I get from the airport to my placement?
A local representative picks you up and drops you off at Tacloban Airport (TAC); you arrive on the Saturday or Sunday before your Monday orientation.
What support is available once I am there?
The local team runs your orientation and introduces you to your placement, then provides a 24-hour emergency contact for the rest of your stay.
Do I need a visa or vaccinations?
Visas and vaccinations are not included in the program fee; specific guidance is sent in your pre-departure information pack before you travel.
Is a background check required?
Yes, because this is a childcare placement, you need a clean criminal background check report issued within 12 months of your start date.
Will I ever be alone in charge of children?
No, you always work alongside local teachers, social workers, or houseparents and are never left in sole charge of children.
Are volunteers placed in orphanages?
No, Volunteering Solutions does not place volunteers in orphanages; placements are at local childcare centers and social welfare projects supervised by local staff.
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