Help care for children at a crèche in Knysna. On this project you will play a vital role in helping to prepare the children for primary school. Through fun activities and educational programs, your input will greatly benefit their social and mental development. Many of the children come from underprivileged homes and therefore any help they can get from volunteers is greatly appreciated.

►SUMMARY FACTFILE
Start Dates	All year round - you choose your start and finish dates!
Duration	From 1 week to 12 weeks or longer, subject to visa requirements. This project is not available between mid December and mid January.
Requirements	No qualifications required, just lots of enthusiasm and a love of children.
Price	From £795 / US$1,195 for 1 week, ranging to £2,895 / US$4,345 for 12 weeks. Full Price List and other Currencies
What's included	►Accommodation ►Food ►Meeting you at the Airport ►Transfer to your accommodation ►Transport to and from your project ►Full pre-departure support ►Local in-country team support and backup ►24-hr emergency support ►Free T-shirt
What's not included	Flights, Insurance, Cost of Visas (if a visa is required, but we'll provide necessary documents and assistance), Return transfer to airport
Who can do this Project?	All projects are open to all nationalities. You need to be aged between 17 and 77+

PROJECT OVERVIEW
The crèche was established in 1993 in the aim to help prepare the children for primary school and to help with their social and mental development. Many of the children have progressed onto primary school with great feedback from the community, parents and school too.

The crèche is supported by the Department of Social Development and some of the parents (that are able to) pay a small school fee. They also do fundraising in the form of concerts, fashion shows, braais’ and selling hamburgers to raise money to keep the crèche running.

There are currently about 70 children at the crèche aged between 2 and 6 years old with about 5 staff members. Afrikaans is the main language spoken however your supervisor does speak good English.

The children learn through educational activities, music, fantasy and discovery programs. You will get the opportunity to help out with all activities and will also have some freedom to set-up certain activities yourself - you are very likely to be in popular demand!

WHAT YOU'LL GAIN FROM DOING THIS PROJECT:

• An exciting, never-to-be-forgotten adventure into Africa and the many diverse cultures in South Africa

• The enormous satisfaction of helping disadvantaged children and knowing that you made a difference to them.

• New skills, more confidence, a greater understanding of a different culture, invaluable personal and professional development.

• An entry on your CV or résumé that will put you head and shoulders above most others in the job market

• And best of all ... an unforgettable experience!

WORK CONTENT:
You will have a lot of freedom to set up your own days activities if you would like to. You will also get the opportunity to painting murals to brighten up the class rooms. Activities include anything from singing, painting, reading, educational classes (like learning the alphabet) and playing with educational toys. Any activities are welcomed that will stimulate the children’s mind and teach them about themselves and the world around them.

You will be required to work from Monday to Friday from 7.30am until 2.15pm.

• 7.00am: The crèche opens early for those parents who drop their children off before work.

• 8.00am till 8.30am: The crèche officially starts the day with breakfast porridge for the children.

• 8.45am till 10.00am: The daily program starts in the form of the ‘morning ring’. The children are split up into groups according to their ages and arranged in a circle. They then go through the particular activities for that day. This is the most important part of the day’s activities.

• 10.00am till 10.30am: Children eat their snacks they have brought from home

• 10.30am to 11.00 am: Play time!

• 11.00am to 11.45am: Singing, music and story time.

• 12.00 am till 12.30am: Lunch which is a cooked meal at the school.

• 12.30am till 13.30pm: Hours nap time.

• 14.00pm: The children are then collected by their parents or arranged transport. If they live very close in the surrounding area they might walk home.

ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES YOU CAN DO WHILE ON THIS PROJECT:

• 5-DAY OR 7-DAY SAFARI from Cape Town up the renowned Garden Route: taking in Dolphin and Whale Spotting, visits to many tourist attractions, such as a visit to a brewery(!), the Bloukrantz Bungy Jump (reportedly the highest in the world), and a guided tour of the Cango Caves.

• 1 WEEK WHALES, SHARKS AND DOLPHINS Project: This is an extraordinary and exciting project in a beautiful location, surrounded by white beaches and blue ocean. And two hours from the world's third favourite city - Cape Town. What more could anyone want?

Enhance your Programme with some exciting activities: