Irvine, California

Volunteer at Tumble N' Dots

An active, hands-on role supporting kids and therapists on the floor of our Irvine clinic.

Our volunteers are part of the clinic family. You will help set up and reset our sensory gym, prepare materials, and support children directly during individual sessions and group programs, always with an occupational or speech therapist guiding you.

Volunteers must be 18 or older and commit to a recurring weekly shift, with a minimum total commitment of 50 hours.

Apply to volunteer See what the role involves

Shadowing or volunteering?

We hear from a lot of students looking for observation hours. Our sessions are active and child-led, and family privacy matters to us, so we do not offer passive shadowing.

Not offered

Clinical observation

A student sits and watches a therapist work with a child. We do not offer this at our clinic.

What we offer

Volunteering

An active role on the floor. You help set up and reset spaces, prepare materials, and support children directly in individual sessions and group programs, with a therapist guiding you.

What you will do

Four parts to the role. Your supervising therapist will show you each one in person.

Build relationships

Development happens through connection. Find out what a child loves, notice what they are already good at, and build on it.

Support sessions

Follow your therapist's lead. Offer choices, name feelings, hold gentle boundaries, and keep redirection playful. When you are not needed, watch from a distance until a therapist or child invites you in.

Keep kids safe

Spot children climbing the shape ladder, rock wall, and zipline. Move hazards out of active play areas. Support a child at their core rather than pulling on an arm.

Keep the clinic running

Restock baskets and restrooms, put up swings, prep materials, and tidy and sanitize between sessions. A clean space is a safe space.

Who we are looking for

Volunteering here is a real commitment, and the children feel it when someone does not show up. Here is what we ask before you apply.

18 or older

Volunteering at the clinic is open to adults only.

A recurring weekly shift

You choose an ongoing weekly shift rather than one-off dates. Consistency is what makes this work for the kids.

50 hours, minimum

That is the smallest commitment that lets you build real relationships with the children you see each week.

Reliability

If you need to cancel, you record it and make the shift up within four weeks. New make-up shifts are released each week for you to pick up.

Recommendation letters. We write letters and sign off on official hours after 100 volunteer hours. That is what it takes for us to say something accurate about your work.

Fieldwork students. If you are an occupational therapy or speech-language pathology student seeking a formal academic fieldwork placement, please do not use the form below. Have your university's fieldwork coordinator contact our office directly.

How it works

From application to your first regular shift.

Apply

Fill out the form below.

Orientation and quiz

A short orientation video, then a quiz, so you arrive knowing what to expect.

We review

We will be in touch if your availability lines up with what the floor needs.

Trial shift

Your first shift on the floor, alongside a supervising therapist.

Pick up your shifts

Once you have passed the quiz and completed your trial shift, you get access to the volunteer portal, where you choose your recurring shift, log your hours, and message our team.

Apply to volunteer

Volunteer Intake and Agreement

Step 1 of 5

Name(Required)

First Last

Email(Required)

Date of Birth(Required)

Volunteering opportunities are available only to individuals aged 18 and older.

Mobile Phone(Required)

Address(Required)

Street Address City State ZIP Code

Name of School(Required)

Upload Your Resume(Required)

Accepted file types: txt, doc, pdf, docx, Max. file size: 10 MB.

LinkedIn Profile Link(Required)

Please paste your full LinkedIn profile link

Have you been referred to Tumble N' Dots?(Required)

Yes

Who Referred You?(Required)

Number of Hours Needed(Required)

Please enter a number greater than or equal to 50.

Minimum of 50 hours required

Reason for Volunteering(Required)

Do's and Don'ts

Thank you for your interest in volunteering with our Tumble N’ Dots therapists! We would like to take this opportunity to orient you to our Please do’s and oh, please don’ts! Please make sure to read these instructions. If you have any questions, please reach out to your volunteering lead.

Daily Routine:

1.Arrive 5 minutes early for your volunteer shift. Park on the side of the building, and leave the stalls next to the entrance open for our clients.

2. Wash your hands, take your shoes off in the downstairs kitchen, and put your belongings in the volunteer bins there. Wear clean socks.

3. Clock in on the kitchen iPad, check in with your therapist, and begin the tasks on the prep rack UNLESS a therapist redirects you to help with a specific project.

4. Please complete your duties BEFORE you join a session in the gym.

5. Observe and assess:
a. Keep an eye out for 'dangerous' objects near play areas and move them (scooter boards in walkways, hard objects near active children) to help therapists avoid accidents/injuries.
b. Take an ACTIVE role in assessing areas by noticing and taking charge of cleaning, organizing, and preparing spaces for therapists and children
c. If you notice a child climbing without supervision, walk up to him/her and get close enough to catch them in case they fall.

6. Clock out on the kitchen iPad at the end of your shift.

7. Look around for:
a. Items to be put away from "I don’t know where this goes" box in the storage closet (if you need help, ask a therapist, and DO NOT put things away where they do not belong).
b. Items at sink to be washed, dried, and put away.
c. Refill hand soap bottles.
d. Shelf items to be organized/folded.
e. Organize the waiting room and sanitize hand fidgets.
f. Vacuum/sweep sand, dirt, rice, beans, etc. if you see it.
g. Wipe dirty tables, chairs, mats, windows, etc.
h. Pick up and put away any swings or equipment on the floor.

Please Do

Contact with Therapist and Clients:

• For the safety of yourself and those in the clinic, practice appropriate hand hygiene.

• Smile, laugh, and embrace the playful environment!

• Say "hi" to those you come into contact with and make eye contact.

• Observe sessions at a distance unless a therapist or child directly invited you into their session.

• Remember that you will be in the presence of children, adolescents, parents and professionals.

• Check in with the therapist prior to joining a session.

• Keep children safe by:

Spotting when they are climbing on the shape ladder, rock wall, or zipline without supervision and get close enough to catch them if they fall
Move pillows under areas that children are climbing or swinging.

• Respect a therapist's time constraints during transitions between children and when they have unscheduled office time. These moments are for preparing the next session, personal time, writing notes, returning phone calls, etc.

If you have questions, observations, or inquiries, please ask a therapist when an appropriate time to address these could be.

Prepare questions and ask at an appropriate time.
Inquire about questions that come up AFTER sessions are complete. If you are not sure if a therapist has time for a question, write it down and ask later, or send it through the volunteer portal.

• Let us know right away through the Messages tab in the volunteer portal if you need to change your schedule or are feeling sick or noticing symptoms.

You will be treated as a professional in this setting, and it is expected that you maintain as consistent a schedule as possible.
Record every cancellation in the volunteer portal, and make up the shift within four weeks. New make-up shifts are released each week for you to pick up.

Dress Code:

• Wear comfortable, professional clothing that you are able to move freely in.

• Bring a pair of clean socks to wear during your volunteer shift.

Food, Drink, and Belongings:

• Leave your phone in your bag or in the volunteer bins in the downstairs kitchen. A smartwatch is fine if you would like to stay reachable.

• You are welcome to bring a water bottle and a small snack, if necessary.

• Store all your personal belongings in the volunteer bins in the downstairs kitchen.

Oh Please Don't

Contact with Therapist and Clients:

• For the safety of yourself and those in the clinic, DO NOT enter the clinic if you have any signs or symptoms of any illnesses (i.e., sore throat, cough, fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, etc.) or have been in physical contact with anyone who has been sick in the last 48 hours. Please let us know through the volunteer portal, and we will be happy to accommodate your volunteering hours as best as we can. The safety and health of everyone in our clinic is our priority.

• DO NOT be afraid to jump in and help! A therapist will correct you if needed. If you see a child who is ‘unsafe’ and is at risk for injury, walk up to them and keep them safe.

• DO NOT follow the therapist at the end of the session to debrief with the family. Say your goodbyes before the child & therapist begin their transition out.

• DO NOT chat about personal issues with therapists or other volunteers during office hours.

• Volunteers are not to be alone with clients at any time. On occasion, we may request that you sit with kiddos for a brief period of time, with the door OPEN AT ALL TIMES and therapists nearby to assist if needed.

• DO NOT let a child sit in your lap at any time. Personal space is important to teach our kiddos.

• When assisting children directly such as providing handheld assistance, please be mindful of where you support the child. DO NOT pull them by the arm. Instead, use verbal cues or provide support closer to their core.

• DO NOT treat a shift as optional. We count on volunteers to keep the floor staffed, so record any cancellation in the volunteer portal and make it up within four weeks. Treat your volunteer position as you would a job.

Food, Drink, and Belongings:

• DO NOT use your phone on the floor. Phones stay in your bag or in the volunteer bins in the downstairs kitchen. In a real emergency, step out of the treatment area and let a therapist know before you make a call.

• Do not eat any food in the gym area. Please eat your snack outside the gym.

• We have a number of children with nut allergies. Please save any foods with nuts until you leave. Wash your hands thoroughly if you ate something with nuts before entering the office! Thank you!

I have read the above "Please Do and Oh Please Don’ts" policy for Tumble N’ Dots and will adhere to these guidelines within the professional environment.

I read the Please Do and Please Don't list

I agree to the Dress Code Policy.

When volunteering with us, it’s important to dress in a way that is both comfortable and appropriate for working with children. Given the physical nature of the work—such as bending over, sitting on the floor, and moving around frequently—your attire should allow for ease of movement while maintaining a professional and modest appearance.

Comfortable, Modest Clothing: Wear clothing that is comfortable for active work but not revealing. Choose outfits that ensure coverage during all activities, including bending and sitting.

Avoid athletic wear, gym attire, sweatpants, skirts, shorts, crop tops, and any clothing that reveals the midriff. Sleeves should cover the majority of your shoulders.

Do not wear clothing with inappropriate slogans or logos on them.

Once your shoes are off in the downstairs kitchen, wear clean socks. Please do not go barefoot or wear dirty socks.

Please do not wear perfumes or heavily scented lotions while volunteering.

It’s advisable to keep a cardigan or jacket with you to layer up if needed during your shift.

We’ll issue a single warning for any dress code violations. A second violation in a subsequent shift will result in you being asked to leave for the day.

Volunteer Signature(Required)

Confidentiality Agreement

It is likely that your observation and volunteering assignments may involve or expose you to work of a confidential nature. In some or all its aspects, your observation work may involve contact with trade secrets and confidential information of Tumble N’ Dots, or confidential information which has been entrusted to us regarding our clients, colleagues, volunteers, or vendors. You are expected to protect the interests of Tumble N’ Dots and our clients, colleagues, volunteers or vendors by not disclosing to anyone who does not have a legitimate need to know, any information that is considered as trade secrets or other proprietary information of Tumble N’ Dots or our vendors, or confidential information of our clients, or colleagues. Information which we may consider trade secrets, confidential or proprietary includes: • Information about patients, clients, colleagues, volunteers or vendors • Information about current or future program or product design • Financial data • Marketing strategies • Products, prototypes, plans, designs, or blueprints • Technological data or prototypes, computer software and/or programming code; and any information that may be used by competitors against us or our patients, clients, colleagues, volunteers or vendors. As a condition of your observation and volunteering request, you agree that you will not, except as required in the conduct of Tumble N’ Dots’ business or as authorized in writing by your immediate supervisor, disclose, either during the time designated for observations, or any time thereafter, any trade secret or confidential information relating to Tumble N’ Dots, our patients, clients, colleagues, volunteers or vendors that you may in any way acquire by reason of your observation assignment by Tumble N’ Dots; including the identity of current and prospective patients, clients, colleagues, volunteers or vendors. The confidentiality of all patients, clients, and colleagues shall always be maintained by all personnel and volunteers. Discussions concerning a client’s condition or other related information shall take place in treatment areas or private areas, and only with those people involved in care of the individual(s). You are expected to respect the confidence and trust place in us by our clients, colleagues, volunteers or vendors by keeping their information confidential. The professional relationship between each client, colleagues, volunteer and Tumble N' Dots requires that there be no disclosure of information about the affairs of either party to others. This includes responses to inquiries from salespeople, the press, contractors, other companies or the public. Should anyone make inquiries about our relationship with, or the affairs of a client, colleagues, volunteer or vendor, immediately report the inquiry to your immediate supervisor. To further protect the interest of Tumble N’ Dots, you must secure permission from your immediate supervisor, before making a public presentation as a representative of Tumble N’ Dots. By signing below, I hereby agree to abide with all legal policies and practices of Tumble N’ Dots, including the confidentiality agreement.(Required)

I agree to the Confidentiality Agreement.

It is likely that your observation and volunteering assignments may involve or expose you to work of a confidential nature. In some or all its aspects, your observation work may involve contact with trade secrets and confidential information of Tumble N’ Dots, or confidential information which has been entrusted to us regarding our clients, colleagues, volunteers, or vendors.

You are expected to protect the interests of Tumble N’ Dots and our clients, colleagues, volunteers or vendors by not disclosing to anyone who does not have a legitimate need to know, any information that is considered as trade secrets or other proprietary information of Tumble N’ Dots or our vendors, or confidential information of our clients, or colleagues. Information which we may consider trade secrets, confidential or proprietary includes:

• Information about patients, clients, colleagues, volunteers or vendors

• Information about current or future program or product design

• Financial data

• Marketing strategies

• Products, prototypes, plans, designs, or blueprints

• Technological data or prototypes, computer software and/or programming code; and any information that may be used by competitors against us or our patients, clients, colleagues, volunteers or vendors.

As a condition of your observation and volunteering request, you agree that you will not, except as required in the conduct of Tumble N’ Dots’ business or as authorized in writing by your immediate supervisor, disclose, either during the time designated for observations, or any time thereafter, any trade secret or confidential information relating to Tumble N’ Dots, our patients, clients, colleagues, volunteers or vendors that you may in any way acquire by reason of your observation assignment by Tumble N’ Dots; including the identity of current and prospective patients, clients, colleagues, volunteers or vendors.

The confidentiality of all patients, clients, and colleagues shall always be maintained by all personnel and volunteers. Discussions concerning a client’s condition or other related information shall take place in treatment areas or private areas, and only with those people involved in care of the individual(s).

You are expected to respect the confidence and trust place in us by our clients, colleagues, volunteers or vendors by keeping their information confidential. The professional relationship between each client, colleagues, volunteer and Tumble N' Dots requires that there be no disclosure of information about the affairs of either party to others. This includes responses to inquiries from salespeople, the press, contractors, other companies or the public. Should anyone make inquiries about our relationship with, or the affairs of a client, colleagues, volunteer or vendor, immediately report the inquiry to your immediate supervisor.

To further protect the interest of Tumble N’ Dots, you must secure permission from your immediate supervisor, before making a public presentation as a representative of Tumble N’ Dots.

By signing below, I hereby agree to abide with all legal policies and practices of Tumble N’ Dots, including the confidentiality agreement.

Volunteer Signature(Required)

Volunteer Policy

Recommendation Policy

Volunteer Signature(Required)

Sick Policy

I agree to the Sick Policy.

In order to provide a safe, healthy environment for all our children, we ask that you stay home any time you exhibit any of the following symptoms:

Fever within the previous 24 hours Vomiting and/or diarrhea within the previous 24 hours
Any symptoms of childhood diseases (scarlet fever, measles, mumps, chicken pox, whooping cough, etc.)
Runny nose with any colored discharge
Excessive coughing
Sore throat
Any unexplained rash
Pink eye
Head lice
Any COVID symptom

Also stay home if you have been in physical contact with anyone who has been sick in the last 48 hours. We require all participants in therapy activities, volunteers, and our therapists to be fever free (less than 99.9 F) for a full 24 hours, without fever-reducing medication, before attending any sessions.

If you are being treated with an antibiotic, you should have received treatment for at least 24 hours before coming to the clinic.

Please let us know immediately through the volunteer portal about any scheduling change due to sickness. Please do not come to the clinic if you exhibit any of the above symptoms.

Thank you in advance for your consideration of this policy!

Volunteer Signature(Required)

Volunteer at Tumble N' Dots

Shadowing or volunteering?

Clinical observation

Volunteering

What you will do

Build relationships

Support sessions

Keep kids safe

Keep the clinic running

Who we are looking for

18 or older

A recurring weekly shift

50 hours, minimum

Reliability

How it works

Apply

Orientation and quiz

We review

Trial shift

Pick up your shifts

Volunteer Intake and Agreement

Do's and Don'ts

Please Do

Oh Please Don't

Confidentiality Agreement

Volunteer Policy

Recommendation Policy

Sick Policy

Contact Us

Therapy Hours

Office Hours

Tumble N' Dots

Address