Building A Volunteer Program

Child care centers can always use good supportive volunteers to fulfill their center’s mission in the classroom, the administrative arena, and in the board room. Perhaps you remember the nursery rhyme about the Old Woman Who Lived in a Shoe…She has so many children she didn’t know what to do… The sharp director knows what to do. (S)he will try to recruit valuable volunteer assistance to fill in those gaps.

In the classroom

volunteers offer those extra sets of eyes, ears and hands that can provide additional safety and extra attention to a child. A volunteer’s interest and participation in the classroom work further validates, to the children, the worth and excitement of learning. The volunteer is one more person who has the time and inclination to listen to the child who is struggling to master a new skill.

It’s often the classroom volunteer who makes the time to read the extra book and build vocabulary by talking and listening to a child. Learning language takes time and practice and that’s just what the volunteer can do to facilitate that process in the classroom.

In the administrative arena

there are many supportive roles the volunteer can assume. Of course there are the traditional filing of school records and the stuffing and mailing of informational brochures and applications. More experienced volunteers may be able to act as a receptionist or parent tour leader. Still others may be excellent at assisting with fundraising or special events.

In the board room

volunteers can bring invaluable life-experiences from their own specialties. Examples of this might be the pediatrician who can speak of immunizations or common illnesses acquired by children in group care. Or, the public school teacher who is connected to the school that will come after child care…what must the program offer for children to be properly prepared? Or the attorney who can give legal advice when necessary. Or the CPA who can review a projected budget to keep the center fiscally sound. Building a volunteer board of directors can be one of the most important and rewarding tasks a director has. These volunteers shape the future of the program and they are filled with invaluable expertise to draw upon to guide the child care center.

In the community

local businessmen are more than willing to volunteer if asked. Their support generally comes in the form of goods and services donated to the center. The local restaurant providing containers for the fundraising event or the local photocopying store providing free printing services. They appreciate the opportunity to participate because it's a good thing to do and the word-of-mouth advertising they receive is well worth their volunteering efforts.

So, if you are able and willing to build a volunteer program within your child care center you will reap unexpectedly good results. It is well worth the time and effort for all.