Your volunteer placement interview was successful – what next ?
You will now be preparing for your first day on placement – this is always an exciting step . Remember , it is essential that you dress in accordance with the setting ’ s dress code . If you have long hair , it is best that you wear this tied up in a hair band . It is also vital that you have high standards of personal hygiene – you will be working in close proximity to children , so you need to smell good !
If you were provided with any policies and procedures , or perhaps a staff handbook , ensure that you have taken time to familiarise yourself with these and noted any questions that you may have .
Ensure that you arrive on time at the setting , report to the person you were asked to and introduce yourself .
Enjoy your time in the setting . Remember you are a volunteer and , as such , you need to always work alongside a qualified and experienced member of the setting ’ s team . If you have questions , ask them at an appropriate time and in a professional manner . Remember – if in doubt , ask !
Information may be shared with you that is confidential . As such , you need to ensure that you do not share this information with anyone . If you need further guidance on how to manage confidential information , please ask your setting manager for their policy on ‘ Confidentiality ’ or ‘ Management of Information ’.
At the end of each week , make sure that you ask your setting manager to sign off your hours for that week . When the opportunity arises , maybe once per term , ask for feedback on how they feel you are performing and whether they have identified any areas that you may need to work on . This is a fantastic starting point for determining the professional development that you wish to undertake .
Make the most of every opportunity to learn and grow as a practitioner . Sometimes you can determine not only what you want to be and what you want to do as a practitioner but also what you don ’ t want to be and do – often these lessons can also be very important .
Volunteering Top Tips : - Approach settings where you wish to volunteer in a professional manner – first impressions count ! - Remember that you are being offered an opportunity within the setting and as such you need to be professional – ensure that you are always punctual , that you attend on the days that you say you will ( if you are unable to attend , notify them in a timely manner ), and that you work hard ! - If you do not know or do not understand something - then ask ! - Remember to say ‘ thank you for having me ’ at the end of your sessions – a thank you can make all the difference ! - Remember to smile and be approachable , you need to become a part of the team . - Personal hygiene ( smell good ) and dressing appropriately is essential , including comfortable footwear , as you will be standing for long periods . - Record your hours at the end of every session to ensure that you have an accurate record for your tutor .