Childcare Volunteer Program in Heredia, Costa Rica
Childecare Volunteer Program
Volunteer with Children in Costa Rica
The Work with Children Volunteer Project gives volunteers the opportunity to support local children’s education while participating in a full Spanish immersion experience in Costa Rica. Volunteers may assist with classroom activities, games, creative projects, basic English support, recreational activities, and daily programming depending on the needs of the partner organization.
Volunteer Project Overview
Tico Lingo’s Childcare Volunteer Program in Costa Rica gives volunteers the opportunity to support local daycares, kindergartens, preschools, and after-school programs throughout Heredia.
During this project, volunteers work alongside local staff to help create a safe, structured, and positive environment where children can learn, play, grow, and feel supported. Volunteers may assist with games, creative activities, basic English practice, classroom routines, meal preparation, and daily activities depending on the needs of the center.
This is also a powerful opportunity to practice Spanish in real-life settings. By spending time with Costa Rican educators, children, families, and community members, volunteers gain meaningful language experience outside the classroom while learning more about local culture and daily life in Costa Rica.
What to Expect and How You’ll Make an Impact
This is not a program where volunteers replace local teachers or professional staff. Instead, volunteers provide extra support, positive energy, and cultural exchange while learning from the people who lead these programs every day.
Many children in Costa Rica have limited opportunities to interact with international volunteers, especially English speakers. Your presence can bring new ideas, activities, encouragement, and cultural exchange to the classroom. Whether you are a student, teacher, nurse, musician, retiree, or simply someone who enjoys working with children, your time and attention can make a meaningful difference.
By volunteering with children in Costa Rica, you can help support their daily learning, contribute to fun and educational activities, and assist local staff who often have many responsibilities throughout the day. Volunteers who show initiative, patience, creativity, and respect may find many ways to become actively involved in the rhythm of the center.
Typical childcare volunteer tasks may include
— Setting up games and activities
— Helping children practice basic English
— Assisting with arts, crafts, music, or movement activities
— Supporting classroom routines
— Helping prepare or clean up after meals
To participate in Tico Lingo’s Childcare Volunteer Program in Costa Rica, volunteers should be responsible, flexible, and excited to support local children’s programs in a positive and respectful way.
Volunteers must meet the following requirements.
Age requirements
— Must be at least 18 years old to participate independently.
— Ages 16 or 17 may be able to join when accompanied by a faculty leader, parent, or legal guardian.
General requirements
— Willing to work hard, stay flexible, and help wherever support is needed.
— Be creative, especially when working with limited resources.
— Bring a positive mindset, patience, and a genuine interest in working with children.
— Be a native English speaker or have a very high level of English.
Required documents
— All volunteers working with children must provide a background check before beginning the project.
— Sign Tico Lingo’s volunteer code of conduct and waiver.
— Participants under 18 are required to submit parent or guardian consent forms.
Work Schedule
The minimum commitment for this project is 1 week, although we strongly recommend 2 weeks or longer for volunteers who want a deeper and more meaningful experience. We also recommend completing a minimum 1-week Spanish immersion program at Tico Lingo before beginning the project. This gives volunteers time to adapt to Costa Rican culture, build a stronger Spanish foundation, and feel more confident before volunteering with children.
Volunteers typically complete 3 to 4 hours of volunteer work per day, Monday through Friday. Hours may take place in the morning or afternoon depending on the needs of the partner organization and the student’s Spanish class schedule.
Most childcare volunteer project sites are located approximately 15 to 25 minutes walking distance from Tico Lingo homestays.
This project is located in the city of Heredia, Costa Rica, the hometown of Tico Lingo. We have been operating in Heredia for more than 10 years and have built a trusted network of homestay families and local community service projects, all located within walking distance of Tico Lingo.
Most project sites and homestays are located within a 15 to 25 minute walk from the school.
Heredia is a small, walkable Costa Rican city located just outside of San José. It is known for its local charm, friendly people, mountain views, coffee culture, and everyday Spanish-speaking environment.
Heredia is not a tourist destination, and thus provides students and volunteers the chance to experience real daily life in a local Costa Rican community. Students and volunteers walk to class, live with local families, visit neighborhood cafés, shop at local markets, and practice Spanish in natural, everyday situations.
For volunteers, this makes Heredia an ideal place to live, learn, and serve. You are close to Tico Lingo, close to your homestay, and close to the local organizations where you will be volunteering.
Step 1 | Choose your program option
Decide whether you want to volunteer only, add volunteering to a Spanish immersion program, or combine both during a longer stay.
Step 2 | Submit your registration form
Complete the Tico Lingo registration form and select the Childcare Volunteer Program.
Step 3 | Speak with the Tico Lingo team
We will review your goals, Spanish level, preferred dates, age, and volunteer requirements.
Step 4 | Pay your 35% deposit
If everything looks good, we will send you a secure online invoice that you can use to pay your deposit. This allows Tico Lingo to begin coordinating your homestay, volunteer placement, and Spanish classes, if included in your program.
Step 5 | Submit your required documents
This includes your background check, signed code of conduct waiver, student/volunteer enrollment form, and parent or guardian consent forms for participants under 18.
Step 6 | Arrive at SJO Airport
Plan to arrive on the Saturday or Sunday before your desired Monday start date. After arrival, you will be picked up at SJO Airport by a Tico Lingo team member and introduced to your homestay family.
Step 7 | Arrive at Tico Lingo
On your first day, you will walk to Tico Lingo with your homestay mom and receive your program and safety orientation before beginning your volunteer project.
Pricing
Paying to volunteer might feel unusual at first, but what you are really investing in is a well-structured, safe, and supportive environment that allows you to focus on making a difference in a local Spanish-speaking community organization.
To confirm your place in the program, Tico Lingo requires a 35% deposit based on the total cost of your program. This deposit allows us to begin the registration process, coordinate your homestay, and prepare your volunteer placement. We do not charge a separate registration fee. All Prices are in United States Dollars.
Volunteer with Children | Program Fee |
|---|---|
1 Week
| $685
|
2 Weeks
| $995 |
3 Weeks
| $1,225 |
4 Weeks
| $1,455 |
Additional Week
| $195 |
Add Spanish to Your Volunteer Experience
Make the most of your time in Costa Rica by adding Spanish classes to your volunteer program. Whether you are a complete beginner or already have a strong foundation, Spanish classes can help you build the confidence to communicate more naturally with your homestay family, local staff, children, and community members in Heredia.
At Tico Lingo, classes focus on real communication. You will learn practical vocabulary, useful grammar, and everyday expressions that you can use immediately outside the classroom. Then, during your volunteer project, you will have the chance to put that Spanish into practice in a real Costa Rican community setting.
Volunteers who combine Spanish classes with the Childcare Volunteer Program in Costa Rica receive 10% off their Spanish program.
Spanish class options
— Group Spanish classes in the morning before your volunteer project
— Private Spanish classes in the afternoon, 1-on-1 with a professor
— Spanish before, during, or after your volunteer program
Spanish Program | Weekly Fee |
|---|---|
Intensive Spanish Classes | $375
|
Private Spanish Classes | $315 |
- What's Included
— Airport pick-up from SJO International Airport
— Homestay family accommodation
— Breakfast and dinner, 7 days per week
— 3 to 4 hours per day of volunteer work, Mon-Fri
— Program and safety orientation
— Walking tour of Heredia
— Official certificate of volunteer service
— Wi-Fi at your homestay and at school
— Free coffee and tea at Tico Lingo
— 24/7 emergency contact number
— Comprehensive Volunteer Handbook
— Dedicated volunteer director at Tico Lingo
— Access to Tico Lingo’s free activities, including dance and yoga classes
Example Volunteer Itineraries
Tico Lingo offers flexible schedule options for the Childcare Volunteer Program in Costa Rica. Volunteers can add the project to a Spanish immersion program, participate in the volunteer project only, or combine both options during a longer stay.
For example, a student may take Spanish classes in the morning and volunteer in the afternoon for the first two weeks, then continue with only the volunteer project during weeks 3 and 4.
It is important to note that everything is walkable. Homestays, Tico Lingo, and the volunteer project are all located close to one another. From one destination to the next, you will never walk more than 20 minutes. There are also many local lunch options along the way from school to the volunteer project.
This option is ideal for students and volunteers who may only have one or two weeks in Costa Rica and want to get the most out of their time in Heredia. By combining structured Spanish classes with meaningful volunteer support, students are able to pack a lot into their time with us.
In the morning, you’ll build your Spanish skills at Tico Lingo through small group classes focused on real communication. In the afternoon, you’ll put those skills into practice by supporting local staff, interacting with children, and participating in the daily rhythm of a Costa Rican educational setting.
Example Itinerary | Monday – Friday
6:30 AM | Wake up and get ready for the day.
7:00 AM | Breakfast with your homestay family.
7:45 AM | Walk to Tico Lingo.
8:00 AM to 12:00 PM | Group Spanish class at Tico Lingo.
12:00 PM to 2:00 PM | Lunch and activity break. Volunteers can eat at a nearby restaurant, café, or local lunch spot, or sign up for an optional afternoon activity at Tico Lingo, depending on the weekly schedule.
2:00 PM to 5:30 PM | Volunteer project. Volunteers support local staff with activities, games, classroom routines, basic English practice, or other daily needs.
6:00 PM to 7:00 PM | Walk home, relax, shower, and spend time with your homestay family.
7:00 PM | Dinner with your homestay family.
This option is ideal for volunteers who have a little more time in Costa Rica and want to focus more deeply on community engagement. Many students choose this schedule after completing a week or two of Spanish classes at Tico Lingo, giving them the chance to use what they have learned in a real-world setting.
In the morning, you’ll walk from your homestay to the volunteer project and help support the daily rhythm of the center. In the afternoon, you’ll have time to rest, explore Heredia, join optional Tico Lingo activities, or continue improving your Spanish through private classes.
Example Itinerary | Monday – Friday
6:30 AM | Wake up and get ready for the day.
7:00 AM | Breakfast with your homestay family.
7:45 AM | Walk to the volunteer project.
8:30 AM to 12:00 PM | Volunteer project. Volunteers support local staff with activities, games, classroom routines, basic English practice, or other daily needs.
12:00 PM to 2:00 PM | Lunch and free time. Volunteers can eat at a nearby restaurant, café, or local lunch spot.
2:00 PM to 5:00 PM | Free afternoon. Volunteers can join an optional Tico Lingo activity, sign up for private Spanish classes, explore Heredia, rest, or spend time with their homestay family.
7:00 PM | Dinner with your homestay family.
Weekends are free for both program options. Volunteers can relax with their homestay family, explore Heredia, visit nearby cafés or parks, or book an optional weekend trip.
Popular weekend options may include beach trips, volcano visits, coffee tours, whitewater rafting, wildlife experiences, or other cultural and nature-based activities in Costa Rica.
See our Activities and Tours page for more details
Frequently Asked Questions
In order to place each student in the best class, we’ll conduct a thorough written and oral examination of each student’s Spanish level before they arrive. Each exam will be carried out roughly 14-21 days before the student arrives. The written is exam is done online (on mobile or on desktop/laptop), and the oral exam is conducted via Whatsapp or Google Meets with our School Director.
Tico Lingo welcomes a wide range of students throughout the year, and our classrooms reflect a very diverse mix of life experiences and backgrounds. Rather than attracting one specific age group, the school tends to bring together people from many different stages of life who share the same goal of learning Spanish and experiencing Costa Rican culture.
Because of this diversity, there is no single “average” age that defines the student body. At any given time, students may include university learners, professionals taking time away from their careers, lifelong language enthusiasts, and travelers exploring new cultures.
We believe this variety is one of the greatest strengths of the learning environment at Tico Lingo. When people with different perspectives and experiences come together in the same classroom, conversations become richer, cultural exchange becomes deeper, and the overall learning experience becomes more dynamic and memorable for everyone involved.
Upon arrival, students receive a weekly calendar of tours and activities offered at the school. Regular activities include dance, yoga, and cooking classes, while tours feature experiences such as volcano hikes and white-water rafting. In addition, our staff can provide recommendations on places to explore during free afternoons and weekends. Be sure to check out our tours and activities page for more details.
This can vary from week to week, as we welcome students at all levels of Spanish proficiency. Some are just beginning their language-learning journey, while others are near fluent and looking to master more advanced grammar.
On average, especially during June, July, and August, levels tend to lean more basic. Most students arrive with a foundational understanding of the language but limited conversational skills.
You’ll have 24/7 support from our local team here in Heredia. From the moment you arrive at the airport to the day you leave, we’re available to assist with anything you need.
Whether it’s help navigating the city, arranging transportation, managing health needs, or simply answering questions about your classes or homestay, our staff is here to support you. We also check in with students regularly to make sure everything is going smoothly and provide a direct local contact number in case of emergencies.
You’re never on your own while you’re here! We’re committed to making sure your experience is safe, smooth, and memorable.
Yes! Tico Lingo has an atmosphere that encourages lots of interaction between students, as well between local Costa Rican’s. Our community “intercambio” invites locals to the school once a week to meet Tico Lingo students and help them with their conversational Spanish skills.
We try to avoid less effective worksheet homework and prefer to give homework that engages students and encourages them to speak with their homestay family or other native Spanish speakers. Interviewing your homestay family or a local shopkeeper, writing a story about where you went yesterday, or creating a song to share in class are typical homework assignments at Tico Lingo.Remember, our Adult Spanish program is open to all students ages 18 – 99.
If staying with a homestay family, we simply ask that adult students communicate with their family if they plan to miss a meal or stay out past 10pm. Adult students will have a key to come and go as they please, but we ask that they respect the family and communicate with them as best they can.
Absolutely, yes! More than 95% of the students that take Spanish classes at Tico Lingo choose to live with a local homestay family here in Heredia. Students as old as 91 have stayed with homestays! You’ll learn the culture, way of life, food, and… most importantly… the language! Check out our homestay page for all the details.
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