This article explains how you can volunteer at your child’s setting – something that will have benefits for you, your child and the setting.

It is well-known, and supported by much research, that when parents are involved in early years groups, their children do better academically, and enjoy richer experiences and better quality of care.

Why become involved?

Your child’s group will always welcome your support and involvement. In fact, many early years settings actively encourage parents to contribute to the life of the group. You may have specific interests, ideas, knowledge and skills that your child’s setting will find particularly useful. Settings do understand that not all parents are able to commit a large amount of time to projects. They are therefore happy to have limited or short-term offers of support from parents too.

Benefits for you

Becoming more involved with your child’s setting benefits you too. You will have a chance to observe and discover how your child plays and relates to other children in a different environment away from your home. You may also get some new ideas about the kinds of activities they enjoy – and the team at your child’s setting will be happy to suggest fun activities to help your child develop and learn outside the setting.

Spending more time at your child’s setting is also a great opportunity to meet informally with staff, build relationships and make friends with other parents. Remember, many settings carry out criminal background checks on adults volunteering with children other than their own. These policies are for the wellbeing and safety of all children, and you should therefore support these extra security measures.

Making a start in volunteering

Find out what they need at your child’s setting by spending time there – observing and talking to key workers and staff at the setting. Early years settings need volunteers for a range of activities from reading groups and science activities to the following:

• To be a spare pair of hands or driver on day trips or in case of emergencies.
• To share a hobby you may have or demonstrate a craft to the class.
• To read a book or tell a favourite tale from your childhood.
• To share your skills in playing a musical instrument – put on a little show or teach the children how you value music and what your instrument can do.
• To support a child who may have trouble settling in or have additional needs.
  

Go to showcase events and performances, and take part in open mornings or evenings, parent nights and other activities that parents can help with. These are golden opportunities for you to find out about your child outside your home, so make the most of them.If you get the chance to work with key workers, remember that it’ll be a mutually beneficial experience. You will be able to share experiences and identify differences in behaviours and interests in your child at home and at the setting.

Join the committee or parent forum, or meet regularly with other parents in your setting. You could consider car-sharing or baby-sitting younger siblings with other parents. Talk about things that are good about the setting and look together at how to address challenges.

Take treats or pre-approved refreshments to the setting on occasion. Ask the key worker or supervisor if there is something in short supply that you can help with (as long as you can afford it). The adults will be very appreciative and the children will benefit from your generosity.

How to help at home

If you are not able to help at the setting, you can still contribute. Ask if you can do any tasks and projects at home. For example, you could:

• Cut out patterns or help prepare craft or art projects.
• Repair books or toys.
• Do research on new activities, trips or visits.
• Make or wash dressing-up clothes.
• Design and/or manage the setting’s website.
• Tape a story for the children to hear.
• Help gather materials and supplies such as old magazines or fabric scraps.
• Be your pre-school’s contact or member on the local sub-committee of the Pre-school Learning Alliance.
• Visit prospective parents and let them know about the life of the setting.
• Set up or support a parent forum to enable parents to become involved in the day-to-day life of the setting.  
  

You can reinforce the benefits of being involved in your child’s setting by following a few simple steps at home. Show an interest in your child’s day, and take time when you greet each other at the end of the day to ask about what they did and whether they enjoyed it. Be sure to check your child’s folders or bags daily, and encourage them to talk to you about highlights and low points of their day. Establish a routine at home so that there is a regular time when you can share the day’s events and feel a connection between you and your child.

Other considerations for potential volunteers

Discuss your volunteering plans with your family and make sure everyone understands your wish to take part in the setting’s activities. Ask your child how they would like you to be involved. Children can make their thoughts very clear from an early age.

Don’t over-commit yourself. Be sure to do what you say you are going to do. Someone is counting on you, and if you can’t do what you agreed to do, your child and the setting may well miss out on something very important. If you can’t go, remember to let the setting know in plenty of time so they can make other arrangements. Don’t just not turn up.

Develop a positive relationship with your child’s key worker. Even if you’re busy (and who isn’t!), take a few moments to ask about their day and check if you should know any important information. Remember to thank the setting ‘for a job well done’ or for special activities, programmes or new skills that your child has learnt.

What do settings need from their volunteers?

• Time that you can give on occasion.
• Ability to enjoy working with children other than your own.
• Patience and a sense of humour.
• Willingness to work on simple projects and take orders from others.
• Ability to go to special events or to chaperone children during outings.
• A talent or interest that you are willing to share.
• Reliability and commitment to being there when you say you will.
• An understanding that you do not have to perform a miracle, just give a little of yourself.
  

Volunteering benefits the setting, your child and you. You may make new friends, learn new skills, find new interests, but most of all you will probably have a great deal of fun!