PLP is powered by volunteers
PLP is a non-profit organisation run entirely by volunteers. Everything that happens at PLP – from classes to activities and events – exists because parents and members give their time and energy. Volunteers are the foundation of PLP.
Volunteer roles
There are three main types of volunteer roles at PLP :
- Board members help run PLP as an organisation and are responsible for its long-term strategy, coordination, and overall functioning. This includes roles such as Director, Volunteer Coordinator, Curriculum Coordinator, Secretary, Treasurer, and Special Events Coordinator.
- Literacy volunteers work directly with children, either leading or assisting classes. They usually teach in pairs, following a structured curriculum.
- Support volunteers help during sessions and with preparation. This includes library support, craft preparation, floating volunteers who assist where needed or cover absences, and general session support.
Who can volunteer ?
Anyone can volunteer. You do not need prior experience or to be a native English speaker. We are looking for people who are fluent in English, enjoy working with children, and are happy to be part of a community project.
Full training, lesson plans, and ongoing support are provided.
What volunteering involves
Most volunteers help while their own children attend PLP, as the presence of a parent or carer on-site during sessions is compulsory.
We aim to keep volunteering manageable. Preparation is minimal, as all materials, weekly plans, and guidance are provided in advance.
Literacy volunteers typically attend a 90-minute session each week and spend around one additional hour on preparation and communication with parents and the PLP team.
We ask volunteers to commit for one full academic year to ensure consistency for the children.
Support you will receive
All volunteers receive structured support throughout the year. This includes :
- A training day in September
- A full curriculum and weekly lesson plans
- Teaching materials (books, games, songs, craft ideas)
- Ongoing support from the Curriculum Coordinator, Literacy Coordinator, and Director
- Optional monthly meetings for advice and sharing experiences
- Weekly updates and reminders
Why volunteer ?
Volunteering at PLP is a chance to be part of something real – a living community that you help make possible.
You’re not just “helping out” in the background. You’re contributing directly to a space where children learn, grow, and feel at home, and where families from many backgrounds come together.
It’s also an experience that often gives back more than expected. Many volunteers find themselves reconnecting with skills they hadn’t used in years, gaining confidence, or discovering new directions in their personal or professional life.
As a thank you, volunteers receive either one free place or an 80% discount on class fees for one child (see the « fees » section), depending on the role. They are also invited to our annual volunteer dinner.
When and how to apply
Volunteer roles are usually organised during the May–June registration period. If you are registering a child, you can indicate your interest directly on the enrolment form.
However, opportunities may open throughout the year and are listed in the “Open Positions” section, where you can apply directly.
FAQ
Do I need to be a teacher to volunteer at PLP?
We welcome volunteers with a teaching background, but this is not a pre-requisite. What matters most is your willingness to support and encourage children.
We provide all the training, lesson plans, teaching materials, and ongoing support you need to feel confident in the classroom. Our curriculum is carefully designed by our Curriculum Coordinator, so you won’t be expected to create lessons or have prior teaching experience.
If you’re enthusiastic, reliable, and eager to help children learn,you can join us as a volunteer teacher.
I’m not a native English speaker — can I volunteer?
Yes, as long as you are fluent in English.
Can au pairs or nannies volunteer?
Yes, if they are fluent in English and interested in working with children.
Meet our volunteers
Saskia, former teaching assistant, reflects on her experience of volunteering at PLP.
“Volunteering gave me the chance to show my kids (and I guess my husband as well, if am being totally honest) that I could be something else as well as a Mummy. Not that being a stay-at-home Mum was not good enough … I just wanted to show them that I could also have responsibilities outside our home! And you should have seen them when I showed them my class … I think I needed to prove myself that I could work again.
I was really looking forward to having colleagues and making my brain function in a different way!
Volunteering also gave me the opportunity to give something back to PLP. It is not a regular English school but a great community/ family … especially when you arrive from abroad and you do not know anyone in the area!
A year after we started coming to PLP I decided to offer my time! I was so happy with my kids’ experience in PLP, with what volunteers brought to them that it came naturally for me – I wanted to make a difference in other kids’ lives! What a blessing it has been so far… I have met amazing people: kids, parents and board members. It is so rewarding to see these little ones struggling with the phonics at one point and then being able to read!
Regardless of your motivation, you will find volunteering in PLP both challenging and rewarding! Welcome to this amazing adventure where you will develop new skills or build on existing experience or knowledge!”
