Early Childhood & Teaching Internship

Join an internship programme in teaching and childcare in Cape Town. Support early childhood education, assist in preschools, and make a real community impact.

  • Min. 2 Weeks
  • Cape Town, South Africa
  • No Experience Needed
  • 5 Days a Week

About the Programme

Early Childhood Development & Teaching in the Heart of Cape Town’s Communities

South Africa faces a critical shortage of qualified early childhood development practitioners. in the informal settlements of Dunoon and the Nothern Suburbs of Cape Town, ECD centres serve as the primary safety net for hundreds of children under six. 

This internship places you at one f our supported ECD centres in Dunoon – including Sunshine Educare, Footsteps Educare, Nyakallo Kidz Academy, Harare Kidz and Pitter Patter ECD – or at a primary or high school in the surrounding area, whether government, public or private. 

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What You Will Do

Supervise playtime and structured activities in a safe, supportive environment that encourages learning, interaction, and positive behaviour.

EARLY LEARNING

Observe and support qualified ECD practitioners across structured learning activities

LEARNING ACTIVITIES

Plan and lead age-appropriate activities across literacy, numeracy, motor development, and social skills

FEEDING PROGRAMME

Support the school feeding programme

TEACHER DEVELOPMENT

Participate in teacher development sessions facilitated by SAVE Foundation project leaders

what to expect

What’s Included

  • Includes a 2-day Cape Town orientation
  • Interns work 5 days a week with varying hours
  • Minimum stay: 2 weeks
  • Safari experiences and excursions
  • 24-hour support and supervision
  • Certificate of completion

package

Accommodation:

  • Stay in shared intern houses near the beach and city
  • Enjoy meals during the week (self-catering breakfast & lunch)
  • Take part in social activities and optional Cape Town excursions
 

Impact

Community Impact

  • R2.3+ Million donated directly to SAVE’s ECD centres and schools, 2023 – 2026
  • 1000+ children fed a hot meal at school every single week. 
  • 5 ECD centres in Dunoon supported year-round by SAVE Foundation
  • 50% + of SA 4-5 year olds are not developmentally on track for school

Unique Highlights

Program Structure

01
Cape Town OrientationIntroduction to Cape Town, your intern community, the schools, and the support structure. Meet your team and prepare for your first classroom experience.
02
School PlacementFive days a week in a community pre-school. Hours vary by school, your coordinator will provide a clear daily schedule from day one. 
03
Community ProgrammesWhere available, interns participate in after-school programmes and community education initiatives that extend impact beyond the classroom.
04
Free Time & ExplorationWeekends are entirely free. Rest, explore Cape Town, visit the winelands, hike Table Mountain, or join optional group social activities. 

learning outcomes

Why Interns Choose This Programme

 
Put ECD theory into practiceUnderstanding of early childhood development theory in a real-world, under-resourced context
 
Build classroom leadership skillsPractical classroom management and lesson facilitation skills
 
Grow your cultural competencyCultural competency across language and socioeconomic difference
 
Walk away with proof of your impactReference letter from host ECD centre or school and SAVE Foundation certificate of completion

Programme Transparency & Support

Programme Transparency and Support

All intern placements are made in partnership with established community pre-schools and educare centres in Cape Town. interns are supervised, supported, and matched to placements that align with community need and skill.

SAVE Foundation is a registered NPO. This programme is not a commercial service, it is a genuine community development initiative designed to support children and the educators who care for them every day.

✓ Registered NPO✓ Community-led✓ 24/7 support✓ Child-safe programme✓ Certificate issued
I'd already volunteered with SAVE and fell in love with the team, the environment and the kids — so coming back for my internship was the obvious choice. This time I had real responsibility: organising activities with the children, working with the school, welcoming new volunteers and helping them settle in, and managing volunteers' fundraising campaigns from start to finish. It taught me organisation, communication and responsibility in a way nothing else could, and it confirmed exactly what I want to do professionally. Coming back to SAVE was the best choice I could have made — I'd recommend it to absolutely anyone who gets the chance.
Emma - France
Early Childhood & Teaching Internship

No. A passion for working with children, patience, and a willingness to learn are the most important requirements.

All leaders and adults on this programme undergo a criminal background check and hold current first aid training, under SAVE Foundation’s Child Protection & Safeguarding Policy.

Many participants successfully use this internship to fulfil university requirements — confirm your specific credit pathway with your academic advisor before applying.

Why it matters

South Africa faces significant early childhood development challenges, particularly in under-resourced communities. Quality care and stimulation in the first five years of a child’s life have a lasting impact on health, education, and social outcomes. Every volunteer makes that impact real.

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