The program consists of working with students aged between 6 months and 6 or 12 years depending on the placement, teaching and playing in English. You can choose to be with the younger or older children if you wish, or to work with all ages. Participants will be working alongside local staff, but will be free to bring their own ideas into class. It is important to understand that the methods of teaching and interacting are less important than the attitude of the participant towards the children. Activities will change in line with the school year, taking into account environmental issues or current festivals. In holiday periods there are special events and programmes to keep the children entertained and engaged.

The childcare program serves a dual purpose; of course it is meant to help children to have fun and to learn English with a mother tongue or very fluent speaker, but it also benefits you, giving you an insight into childcare and the Costa Rican education system as well as an excellent opportunity to form bonds with students, teachers and even parents, and so take a full role in the community.

Your new home will be one of two newly built eco houses in our centre in Esparza: Jaguar House and Toucan House.

The two houses sleep up to 22 people. Most rooms have bunk beds and are shared on a single gender. One room in each house has a bunk bed with a double bed below, single above, suitable for couples or small families, if needed. (Private rooms can be obtained at additional cost; this must be arranged before arriving for your program).

All doors are lockable, but as rooms are shared, and we carry out regular cleaning, we recommend that you don't lock your rooms.

There is also a large dining hall/games room/communal area shared by both houses, with free WiFi, and table tennis, and a large garden of tropical plants, including coconut palm, papaya, banana, and citrus