Most parents in Denmark work outside the home and therefore almost all children attend nurseries from age one to three and kindergartens from age three to age six.
The kindergartens aim to provide the best possible care and at the same time help children develop themselves through games and educational activities. Most kindergartens are run by the municipality and provide lunch, as well as morning and afternoon snacks. Many of them are combined kindergartens and nurseries.
In addition to the general kindergartens there are forest kindergartens (where the children spend most of the time outdoor in the forrest) or sports kindergartens (where there is a strong focus on sports and outdoor activities). You are welcome to indicate in your application which type of kindergarten you would prefer.
As a volunteer you will have a unique opportunity to become involved in many interesting pre-school activities and have a close interaction with the children. You will also learn about Danish childcare, the pedagogical work being done there and the philosophy on which it is based.
As a volunteer you will help staff in the daily work and your tasks may include:
- Organizing games and other activities for the children
- Helping with preparation of meals and assisting in excursions
- Sharing your language and cultural background with the children
- Introducing games and songs from your home country to the children
Which tasks and responsibilities you will be given depend on your interests and skills. You will be working closely with one of the staff members, who will support and guide you.