Preschool Children’s Support Volunteer Program

Spend your weekday mornings supporting young children in a preschool setting near Galle and Unawatuna.

This year-round program is open to volunteers aged 17 and above. Placement hours normally run from 8:00 AM to 11:00 AM, Monday to Friday. The weekly program fee is $180 and includes accommodation, breakfast, dinner, Wi-Fi and local program support.

What is the Preschool Children’s Support Program?

The Preschool Children’s Support Program is a morning placement where volunteers assist children and local staff with early learning and classroom activities.

Young children learn through short lessons, repetition, songs, games, drawing and hands-on activities. Volunteers work within that routine. The aim is to support the existing classroom, not to replace local teachers.

A normal session may involve helping children practise basic skills, preparing simple learning materials, supporting group activities or helping a teacher keep children involved in a lesson.

What will I do as a preschool volunteer?

Activities depend on the classroom and what the local placement needs during your stay. Typical tasks can include:

• assisting with lesson preparation
• providing classroom support
• helping children practise basic skills
• supporting simple English activities
• practising letters, words and numbers
• organising educational games
• helping with drawing and craft activities
• using songs and stories during learning sessions
• arranging extracurricular activities
• preparing simple classroom materials

Volunteers may also suggest their own age-appropriate activities or build on ideas used by previous volunteers.

What does a typical day look like?

The regular placement schedule is 8:00 AM to 11:00 AM, Monday to Friday.

The exact routine depends on the preschool. One morning may involve more classroom support, while another may include songs, drawing or basic English practice. Preschool classrooms can be energetic, so patience and flexibility are useful.

Once the placement ends, the rest of the day is generally free for your own plans.

Do I need teaching experience?

The general volunteer role does not list a formal teaching qualification as a requirement. Volunteers can help with lesson planning, classroom support and basic learning activities.

You do not need to arrive with a complete curriculum. Simple activities often work best with preschool-aged children. Picture cards, short songs, counting games, drawing and basic vocabulary exercises are easier to adapt to a young classroom than long formal lessons.

Supporting English and early learning

English practice can form part of the placement. With young children, short and repetitive activities are usually easier to follow.

Depending on the classroom, you may work with simple greetings, colours, numbers, animals, everyday objects and basic words. English is only one part of the placement. Volunteers can also support general classroom learning and creative activities.

Who can join?

The minimum age is 17.

The program can suit gap year travellers, students, solo volunteers, friends travelling together and people interested in education or early childhood activities. The most useful qualities are patience, respect for local staff and a willingness to work within the preschool’s routine.

Can I combine volunteering with travel?

Yes. Because the regular placement finishes at 11:00 AM, afternoons are generally available for personal plans. Weekends are also outside the usual placement schedule.

Winter Scape’s wider site also includes Volunteer + Travel options for people who want to combine a placement with a longer Sri Lanka itinerary.

Accommodation and daily life in Galle

Volunteers stay at the Volunteer House at No. 24, Buonavista, Rumassala, Galle 80600. Each volunteer has a single air-conditioned room, and free Wi-Fi is available at the house.

The accommodation is around a five-minute tuk-tuk ride from Galle City. Breakfast and dinner are prepared daily. Meals are mainly Sri Lankan, with some Western dishes included in the weekly menu. Sri Lankan food can be spicier than some visitors are used to and may include seafood and meat. Vegetarian meals are available on request.

Western food and other dining options are easy to find in the Unawatuna area.

The daily routine at the Volunteer House starts with breakfast, with meditation included as part of the morning routine for volunteers who wish to take part.

Free time around Galle and Unawatuna

Regular volunteer hours finish in the morning, so afternoons are generally available for rest, local travel or personal plans. Weekends fall outside the usual Monday to Friday placement schedule.

Possible activities around the south coast include visiting Galle Fort, spending time at Unawatuna Beach, snorkelling or diving around Unawatuna, visiting Jungle Beach, travelling toward Mirissa, swimming at the Talpe Rock Pools, visiting Koggala Lake and exploring Kanneliya Rainforest.

Travel activities, entrance fees, tours and transport are separate unless they are specifically included in your confirmed arrangement.

Airport pickup

Airport pickup is provided for volunteers who commit to four weeks or more. If you plan a shorter stay, confirm your arrival transport before travelling so you know how you will get from the airport to Galle.

How to apply

1. Choose this volunteer program.
2. Select your preferred dates and planned length of stay.
3. Complete the volunteer application.
4. Wait for confirmation of your placement and stay arrangements.
5. Prepare for your trip to Sri Lanka.
6. Arrive in Galle and begin your placement.

Because placements depend on local arrangements, submit your preferred dates before making assumptions about availability for a particular week.

Frequently asked questions

How much does the preschool volunteer program cost?

The program fee is $180 per week.

Where is the program located?

The placement is based around Unawatuna and Galle in southern Sri Lanka. Volunteer accommodation is in Rumassala, Galle.

What is the minimum age?

The minimum age is 17.

When can I join?

The program is available year-round, subject to placement confirmation for your preferred dates.

What are the volunteer hours?

The regular schedule is 8:00 AM to 11:00 AM, Monday to Friday.

Are accommodation and meals included?

Yes. Volunteers stay in a single air-conditioned room at the Volunteer House. Breakfast and dinner are provided daily.

Is Wi-Fi available?

Yes. Free Wi-Fi is available at the Volunteer House.

Is airport pickup included?

Airport pickup is included for volunteers who commit to four weeks or more.

Apply for the Preschool Children’s Support Program

Send your preferred dates, planned length of stay and application details. The team can then confirm the current placement arrangements for your time in Galle.