Volunteering with Children in Mexico
Work with children and support their care and education in kindergartens and daycare centres
What’s included
Accommodation & Amenities
24/7 Support
Transportation
Certification
Starting at €2,560 EUR for 3 weeks
Trip Overview
Assist early childhood development
Help children learn and grow through fun and engaging activities, games, and lessons, contributing to their development with support from a teacher.
Leave a legacy behind
Create educational resources like flashcards and posters that will continue to benefit children even after you’ve finished your project.
Learn about childcare practices
Shadow professionals and participate in workshops to gain insight into the Mexican childcare system and share knowledge with fellow volunteers.
Explore the heart of Mexico
Discover the captivating city of Guadalajara, with its mix of colonial architecture, serene urban spaces, and lively cultural scene.
Experience Mexican life
Stay with a welcoming host family, savouring authentic Mexican cuisine and immersing yourself in the local culture, and improve your Spanish.
What you need to know
Overview
This project is perfect for anyone who loves working with children. It’s also a great option if you’re interested in studying childcare or early childhood development and want practical experience.
It will also help you develop important life skills such as teamwork, leadership, and planning. You can apply these skills to any career you pursue.
You don’t need previous experience to join. You’ll support local staff and carers, and Projects Abroad staff will be there to guide you. We also run regular workshops for all Childcare and Teaching volunteers, and our online resources are a great facility for you to draw from.
You can join this project at any time throughout the year. We encourage you to stay as long as possible so you can have a bigger impact on the children you work with.
A Day in the Life
Each day in Mexico starts with breakfast at your host family’s home. Then, you’ll head to your placement using public transport or walking if you’re close enough. We’ll show you how to get there on your first day.
Your workday will start at 9 am and finish around 5 pm, Monday through Friday. It will be filled with lots of running around and activity, and it will undoubtedly go by in a flash!
The majority of your day will revolve around hosting the next lesson, overseeing playtime, or conducting activities. These activities will aim to help with physical advancement and cognitive development. Play-dough, arts and crafts, and colouring are all great activities that help refine the children’s motor skills.
Your evenings, however, will be much more laid-back. You will get the opportunity to spend your free time with your fellow volunteers and explore the city.
Activities
Your main role in Mexico is to support local teachers and carers. Your work will cover the following areas:
- Support early childhood development through fun games and lessons
- Make educational resources like flashcards and posters
- Participate in workshops surrounding local childcare and educational practices
Your work will focus on the following areas:
Improve children’s learning and development through play
You can help improve early childhood development by teaching them educational songs, doing arts and crafts, and playing organised games outdoors. These activities will include coming up with creative ways for them to learn, while making sure they have fun and remain engaged.
Improve the children’s learning environment
Childcare volunteering in Mexico also focuses on preparing resources for educational lessons. These include posters, flashcards, and any other materials you think could be useful. As a result, future volunteers and teachers can build on your work and use it to teach kids long after you’ve left.
Learn about childcare and educational practices
Projects Abroad staff run regular workshops for volunteers. These workshops offer up great insight into the Mexican childcare system and the background of your placement. It will be a great source of information for you regarding your work. You can also use this time to exchange ideas and discuss challenges you’re facing.
Aims & Impact
The aim of this project is to improve early childhood development in Mexico. Our volunteers play a vital role in helping children reach the developmental milestones typical for their age.
Mexico is still recognised as a developing country, and this is reflected in its education system in which imbalances still remain. The country also suffers from economic inequality, and many families continue to rely on the struggling public school system.
Today, there is an increasing amount of evidence pointing towards the importance of early years education. The care centres we work with are overcrowded and understaffed, and we need your help to make sure each child gets the education they need. Projects Abroad has elected not to work with children in orphanages in Mexico, but rather to focus on community-based programmes that allow children to remain within their families.
By supporting early childhood development, you’ll give young children the skills they need to cope with the demands of the first year when they start school. In line with this, we’ve identified four long-term, sustainable goals to work toward in Mexico:
- Promote early childhood development
- Improve hygiene
- Improve English
- Improve the level of stimulation each child receives
Volunteer with children in Mexico and help us achieve these goals.
Map & Location
It also has a rich history with Mayan ruins and colonial towns to explore, and is home to the world’s smallest volcano! Our project locations in Mexico are safe and you will be welcomed into the community like one of the locals immediately.
Guadalajara
Guadalajara, the capital of Jalisco in western Mexico, is steeped in tradition and brimming with modern energy. With a population of over 1.4 million, it’s the second-largest city in Mexico, and boasts a rich history and mild climate year round.
Famed for its mariachi music, tequila, and delicious cuisine, the city houses historic landmarks like the Guadalajara Cathedral and the Teatro Degollado. Wander along cobbled streets and experience the lively atmosphere of this enchanting city.
Food & Accommodation
You’ll have everything you need to enjoy an incredible experience in Mexico, including a clean bed, three meals a day, and fresh drinking water. You’ll stay with a caring host family, vetted by Projects Abroad, who will treat you like one of their own from the moment you arrive.
Your home away from home will be clean, safe, and secure, with Projects Abroad staff members handling your transport to and from your placement. Your host family will provide delicious home-cooked food throughout your stay and introduce you to Mexican culture.
Speak Spanish with them every day, share your experiences and culture, and make meaningful connections with people around the world. We will try to have you share your accommodation with other participants so you can experience the real Mexico together.
Your Arrival Made Easy
When you arrive at your respective airport, a member of Projects Abroad staff will be there to meet you. You can find more detailed information on arrival airports, orientation, and visas on our Mexico Arrival Procedures page.
Book your adventure
Starting at €2,560 EUR for 3 weeks
Call +353 (0)1 571 5080 to discuss special discounts or group bookings.