Volunteers can offer special activities that centers could not otherwise afford to give children and their families, such as dance or gymnastics. If you decide to use volunteers, be very specific when they will work. Describe their duties, so they know to whom they are to report, and the person to notify in case of an absence from the center. Remember, there are risks in using volunteers to maintain your staff-child ratio. If the volunteer does not show up, you could be in violation of state regulations.
Volunteers can serve as teachers, teacher-aides, secretaries and bookkeepers.
Many volunteers are skilled in story-telling, dance, art and music. Parents of the children may have skills in nursing, accounting, law and many may want to serve as volunteers to work to reduce their tuition fees. Foster Grandparent Programs. Senior citizens groups. Armed Forces bases.