Kindergarten teaching in Kathmandu
Work alongside local teachers in a kindergarten in Kathmandu, supporting the youngest children with their first words of English and helping them grow through play and daily life. A grounded experience right at the heart of the community, built on relationships, culture and learning from each other.
Where
Kathmandu, Nepal
When
Departures every week, all year round (excluding holiday closures)
Duration
From 2 weeks
Accommodation
Shared or private rooms in the volunteer house, with meals included
Language
Basic English is enough
Ideal for
Anyone who enjoys working with children, wants to see daily life at a local school and settle into Nepali culture through a simple, grounded and very human experience
Project details
A project born from the need for time, connection and continuity in Nepali early-years schooling.
In Kathmandu, many families face daily economic and social pressures that make it hard to give children steady, engaging schooling from the early years. In that setting, the local kindergarten is a safe space where the youngest can learn, play and build confidence through everyday routines.
The project is here to support that work, alongside the local teachers in their educational and creative activities. By taking part, you'll step into the daily life of the school, support basic lessons and play time, and live a human, cultural exchange built on simple things, done together each day.
The project is here to support that work, alongside the local teachers in their educational and creative activities. By taking part, you'll step into the daily life of the school, support basic lessons and play time, and live a human, cultural exchange built on simple things, done together each day.
Growing together, starting with the youngest
A project born from the need for time, connection and continuity in Nepali early-years schooling.
In Kathmandu, many families face daily economic and social pressures that make it hard to give children steady, engaging schooling from the early years. In that setting, the local kindergarten is a safe space where the youngest can learn, play and build confidence through everyday routines.
The project is here to support that work, alongside the local teachers in their educational and creative activities. By taking part, you'll step into the daily life of the school, support basic lessons and play time, and live a human, cultural exchange built on simple things, done together each day.
The project is here to support that work, alongside the local teachers in their educational and creative activities. By taking part, you'll step into the daily life of the school, support basic lessons and play time, and live a human, cultural exchange built on simple things, done together each day.
Why participate
Be part of the early years
You support children's learning and emotional growth in a key stage of life, where your time and consistency really do make a difference.
Why participate
Be part of the early years
You support children's learning and emotional growth in a key stage of life, where your time and consistency really do make a difference.
See school from the inside
Step into daily life at a local kindergarten, alongside teachers and children, and see how the Nepali education system works up close.
The Weekly Program
Weekdays
From Monday to Friday, your days follow a simple, structured routine, alternating educational activities with the children, play time and support to the local teachers.
The rest of the day is for prepping the activities, time with the local team and downtime to explore the area and the city, keeping a good balance between work and daily life.
07:30Breakfast at the centre and getting ready for the day
09:00Activities at school: lesson support, educational games and creative tasks
11:30A break and shared time with the children
13:00Back at the centre and lunch
15:00Prepping activities and a chat with the local teachers
18:30Free time, group activities, dinner and relaxing together
Weekend
Weekends are free of set activities. You can explore the area, plan a short trip, or just take it easy with the other volunteers.
Take it easy and explore the cafés in Thamel
Try Nepali food, browse the craft shops and soak up the lively buzz of the area.
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FAQs
🏠 Accommodation in Kathmandu (Dhapasi Height)
You'll be staying at the Program House in Kathmandu, in the residential area of Dhapasi Height, around 5 km from the city centre. It's a community house set up to welcome participants from all over the world, in a quiet but well-connected setting where daily life ticks along to local rhythms.
Rooms are shared or private on request, all lockable and with a fan. Bathrooms are shared, with hot showers. Inside the house you'll find a lounge, a dining room, a garden to relax in and a mini library: simple but ideal spaces to read, prep activities or spend time with the other participants.
🍽️ Meals
Meals are included: 3 a day on weekdays and 2 at weekends. The food is mostly vegetarian, with Nepali dishes and a few more international options; chicken makes the occasional appearance. Water and tea are always available for free. For activities outside the house, you might get a packed lunch or eat at small local restaurants.
🛏️ What's included
• Shared or private rooms, lockable
• 3 meals a day on weekdays, 2 at weekends
• Free drinks (water and tea)
• Wi-Fi in the common areas
• Mini library, lounge and garden
• Shared fridge for food and drinks
• Lockboxes
• Local support 24/7
📶 Useful notes
Bed linen is included, but towels aren't provided. There's a paid laundry service or you can hand-wash. Wi-Fi is in place but can be patchy: for more independence, we'd recommend a local SIM, which you can pick up with the team's help during orientation.
💛 Settling in
The Program House isn't just a place to sleep, it's a shared space. You'll eat together, swap stories and experiences, and build relationships that often go beyond the trip. It's the starting point and the place to come home to during your days in Kathmandu.
You'll be staying at the Program House in Kathmandu, in the residential area of Dhapasi Height, around 5 km from the city centre. It's a community house set up to welcome participants from all over the world, in a quiet but well-connected setting where daily life ticks along to local rhythms.
Rooms are shared or private on request, all lockable and with a fan. Bathrooms are shared, with hot showers. Inside the house you'll find a lounge, a dining room, a garden to relax in and a mini library: simple but ideal spaces to read, prep activities or spend time with the other participants.
🍽️ Meals
Meals are included: 3 a day on weekdays and 2 at weekends. The food is mostly vegetarian, with Nepali dishes and a few more international options; chicken makes the occasional appearance. Water and tea are always available for free. For activities outside the house, you might get a packed lunch or eat at small local restaurants.
🛏️ What's included
• Shared or private rooms, lockable
• 3 meals a day on weekdays, 2 at weekends
• Free drinks (water and tea)
• Wi-Fi in the common areas
• Mini library, lounge and garden
• Shared fridge for food and drinks
• Lockboxes
• Local support 24/7
📶 Useful notes
Bed linen is included, but towels aren't provided. There's a paid laundry service or you can hand-wash. Wi-Fi is in place but can be patchy: for more independence, we'd recommend a local SIM, which you can pick up with the team's help during orientation.
💛 Settling in
The Program House isn't just a place to sleep, it's a shared space. You'll eat together, swap stories and experiences, and build relationships that often go beyond the trip. It's the starting point and the place to come home to during your days in Kathmandu.
🛡️ Safety and support
Your safety is a top priority. In Kathmandu we work only with trusted local partners with long-standing experience on the ground, working in educational and community settings that know what international participants need.
🔹 Background checks and community safeguarding
To keep the setting safe and easy for everyone, every participant is asked to provide a criminal record check (DBS or equivalent) before travelling. We'll send clear instructions and step-by-step support to make the process simple and stress-free.
🔹 Safety standards in the accommodation
• Shared or private rooms, lockable
• Lockboxes for documents and valuables
• Daily presence of the local staff
• Quiet residential area, with pharmacies, supermarkets and medical facilities easy to reach
🔹 Local 24/7 support
You're never on your own during the experience. The local team is on call 24 hours a day for emergencies or anything practical, while our UK team is always available before, during and after your trip.
🔹 Orientation and good habits
The programme starts with a compulsory orientation day, where you'll get the basics on safety, local culture, getting around and how to behave in everyday life in Kathmandu. It's a key moment to find your feet with awareness and respect.
🔹 A grounded experience
✔ Always follow the local team's advice.
✔ Use official taxis or the transport recommended by the coordinators.
✔ Only carry what you need during the day.
💡 Our aim
To create a safe, clear and well-organised setting, so you can focus on what matters: settling into local life, building real connections and taking part in the experience with confidence.
Your safety is a top priority. In Kathmandu we work only with trusted local partners with long-standing experience on the ground, working in educational and community settings that know what international participants need.
🔹 Background checks and community safeguarding
To keep the setting safe and easy for everyone, every participant is asked to provide a criminal record check (DBS or equivalent) before travelling. We'll send clear instructions and step-by-step support to make the process simple and stress-free.
🔹 Safety standards in the accommodation
• Shared or private rooms, lockable
• Lockboxes for documents and valuables
• Daily presence of the local staff
• Quiet residential area, with pharmacies, supermarkets and medical facilities easy to reach
🔹 Local 24/7 support
You're never on your own during the experience. The local team is on call 24 hours a day for emergencies or anything practical, while our UK team is always available before, during and after your trip.
🔹 Orientation and good habits
The programme starts with a compulsory orientation day, where you'll get the basics on safety, local culture, getting around and how to behave in everyday life in Kathmandu. It's a key moment to find your feet with awareness and respect.
🔹 A grounded experience
✔ Always follow the local team's advice.
✔ Use official taxis or the transport recommended by the coordinators.
✔ Only carry what you need during the day.
💡 Our aim
To create a safe, clear and well-organised setting, so you can focus on what matters: settling into local life, building real connections and taking part in the experience with confidence.
🧭 Orientation day
Welcome to Kathmandu. Your first Monday is set up to help you find your feet, get your bearings and start the experience calmly and confidently 😊
During the day, the local team will take you through a practical and cultural introduction to give you the basics before you head into the classroom:
• Welcome session with a small traditional ritual and ice-breakers
• Programme intro, house rules and Code of Conduct
• Introduction to Nepali culture, daily customs and key behaviour points
• Tips on health, safety and practical life in Kathmandu
• Collecting any required documents and info on your educational placement
• A walk around the area to get familiar with markets, supermarkets, ATMs and useful spots
• Help picking up a local SIM and changing money
It's also the right moment to meet the other participants, ask questions and start feeling part of the community you'll be sharing the experience with.
📌 From Tuesday, the project starts
The next day you'll start the educational activities at the local kindergarten, working alongside the teachers with steady support from the on-site coordinators.
Welcome to Kathmandu. Your first Monday is set up to help you find your feet, get your bearings and start the experience calmly and confidently 😊
During the day, the local team will take you through a practical and cultural introduction to give you the basics before you head into the classroom:
• Welcome session with a small traditional ritual and ice-breakers
• Programme intro, house rules and Code of Conduct
• Introduction to Nepali culture, daily customs and key behaviour points
• Tips on health, safety and practical life in Kathmandu
• Collecting any required documents and info on your educational placement
• A walk around the area to get familiar with markets, supermarkets, ATMs and useful spots
• Help picking up a local SIM and changing money
It's also the right moment to meet the other participants, ask questions and start feeling part of the community you'll be sharing the experience with.
📌 From Tuesday, the project starts
The next day you'll start the educational activities at the local kindergarten, working alongside the teachers with steady support from the on-site coordinators.
✈️ Arriving in Kathmandu (KTM)
For an easy start, we'd recommend booking a flight in on a Sunday between 06:00 and 24:00 at Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM). That's the day for coordinated arrivals and the official welcome to the programme.
The standard pickup is at 16:00 on Sunday at the meeting point. If you arrive before or after that, you can:
• request a private paid pickup
• or make your own way to the house
Saturday arrivals: an extra night applies and a paid extra pickup may be needed.
A transfer coordinator will be waiting with a sign.
Important: if you can't spot the coordinator straight away, don't leave the meeting point. Stay where you are: the staff will come to you.
⏱️ Allow at least 1 hour after landing for passport control and luggage pickup. If your flight is delayed or changed, let the team know straight away.
🚕 Making your own way to the house
If you arrive outside standard hours or choose to travel independently:
• Taxi airport to Program House: around 45 minutes
• Indicative cost: around 1000 NPR
• Always agree the price before getting in
📱 SIM and connection
For safety and comms, we strongly recommend having internet active on arrival. You can pick up a local SIM during the orientation day with the team's help.
We'd suggest not buying a SIM or changing money at the airport: do it without rushing in the days that follow.
🧭 If you can't find the coordinator
• Check you're at the right point
• Stay at the meeting point
• Call the transfer coordinator on the contact details we share
• If they don't answer straight away, try again or send a message
Never leave the meeting point and don't try to make your own way to the centre without letting us know.
📌 Before you go
• Send us your flight details as soon as you book
• Bring 4 passport photos, 2 copies of your passport and your criminal record check (DBS or equivalent)
• To enter Nepal, use a Tourist Visa
If asked at the border, you can give the reason for your trip as: “Tourism and cultural experience”
🏁 Departure and return flight
Check-out is by 12:00 on Saturday. The return transfer isn't included, but the team can help you book a taxi to the airport.
We'd suggest booking your return flight for Saturday evening onwards or Sunday, to avoid any last-minute issues. If you're carrying on with your trip in Nepal or to other destinations, let us know in good time so we can help you sort the logistics.
For an easy start, we'd recommend booking a flight in on a Sunday between 06:00 and 24:00 at Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM). That's the day for coordinated arrivals and the official welcome to the programme.
The standard pickup is at 16:00 on Sunday at the meeting point. If you arrive before or after that, you can:
• request a private paid pickup
• or make your own way to the house
Saturday arrivals: an extra night applies and a paid extra pickup may be needed.
A transfer coordinator will be waiting with a sign.
Important: if you can't spot the coordinator straight away, don't leave the meeting point. Stay where you are: the staff will come to you.
⏱️ Allow at least 1 hour after landing for passport control and luggage pickup. If your flight is delayed or changed, let the team know straight away.
🚕 Making your own way to the house
If you arrive outside standard hours or choose to travel independently:
• Taxi airport to Program House: around 45 minutes
• Indicative cost: around 1000 NPR
• Always agree the price before getting in
📱 SIM and connection
For safety and comms, we strongly recommend having internet active on arrival. You can pick up a local SIM during the orientation day with the team's help.
We'd suggest not buying a SIM or changing money at the airport: do it without rushing in the days that follow.
🧭 If you can't find the coordinator
• Check you're at the right point
• Stay at the meeting point
• Call the transfer coordinator on the contact details we share
• If they don't answer straight away, try again or send a message
Never leave the meeting point and don't try to make your own way to the centre without letting us know.
📌 Before you go
• Send us your flight details as soon as you book
• Bring 4 passport photos, 2 copies of your passport and your criminal record check (DBS or equivalent)
• To enter Nepal, use a Tourist Visa
If asked at the border, you can give the reason for your trip as: “Tourism and cultural experience”
🏁 Departure and return flight
Check-out is by 12:00 on Saturday. The return transfer isn't included, but the team can help you book a taxi to the airport.
We'd suggest booking your return flight for Saturday evening onwards or Sunday, to avoid any last-minute issues. If you're carrying on with your trip in Nepal or to other destinations, let us know in good time so we can help you sort the logistics.
Book your spot
1
Send your application (free)
Pick the project you like the look of and tell us when you'd like to travel. No commitment, the application is free and non-binding.
2
Meet your coordinator
After your application, we'll put you in touch with your dedicated coordinator. They'll walk you through everything and answer your questions.
3
Confirm your spot
When you're ready, pay the deposit to lock in your spot. You'll get everything you need: local contacts, a visa guide and your pre-trip pack.
4
Off you go
Pack your bag and travel. On arrival you'll find other travellers like you, a welcoming local team, and a trip you'll be talking about for a while.
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