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Admission to training as an educator is decided by "Fachschulen für Sozialwesen", of which there are several in the Rhine-Main region (you can find a list of Fachschulen in Hesse (opens in a new tab) here). For the practical phases of the training, the vocational schools work together with training companies.
The application for training as an educator must always be made via a vocational school in the first step. In the second step, trainees must apply to a training company, for example to us, the EKO!
Diagram of the training paths
Here you will find a diagram with a rough overview of the different ways to become an educator.
Below we explain the different ways to become an educator in detail in text form.
Training to become an educator: practice-integrated paid training "PivA" (3 years)
Payment during training: continuously according to TVÄöD
Type of training: The PiVA is a remunerated, i.e. paid, dual training program that lasts 3 years. Practice and theory are closely linked right from the start. The prerequisite is either a secondary school leaving certificate (Realschulabschluss) plus a completed initial apprenticeship or a general (technical) university entrance qualification. In addition, at least 3 months of full-time practical experience in the pedagogical field must be demonstrated. This proof of practical experience is not required for those who can provide proof of a qualification as a social assistant or "Betriebspraktikum FOS" in a daycare center. Final admission to training is granted exclusively by the vocational school.
Training year 1: 3 days of full-time teaching and 2 days of practical training in a daycare center
Training years 2 and 3: 3 days of full-time teaching and 2 days of practical training with a 6-week block internship in another daycare center (different age cohort) in the second year of training.
Activity after the training: The training leads to a qualification as a state-recognized educator and enables you to work in a daycare center as a pedagogical specialist, paid in the EKO according to TVöD.
Training to become an educator: full-time school-based training followed by a recognition year (3 years)
Payment during training: The recognition year (3rd year of training) is paid in the EKO according to TVPöD. Proof must be provided that you have already completed initial training (at least 2 years), such as training as a social assistant and successfully completed theoretical training as part of the full-time school-based training to become an educator.
Type of training: This is predominantly non-remunerated full-time school-based training that lasts 3years. Final admission to training is granted exclusively by the vocational school. Under certain conditions, it is possible to apply for BAföG for the school period (for more information: www.bafög.de).
Training years 1 and 2: Theory in the form of full-time lessons with shorter practical phases in institutions such as the EKO
Training year 3: Professional internship within an institution = "recognition year", also known as professional internship. For this 1-year phase of training, trainees look for a company such as the EKO in consultation with the technical college.
Work after training: The training leads to the qualification as a state-recognized educator and enables work in a daycare centre as a pedagogical specialist, paid in the EKO according to TVöD.
Training as a social assistant (2 years)
Payment during training: No
Type of training: This type of training is a full-time school-based training program without remuneration that lasts 2 years. Under certain conditions, it is possible to apply for BAföG for the school period (further information: www.bafög.de).
Training year 1: Full-time within the school
Training year 2: Block internship in which theory and practice are closely linked.
Job after training: Social assistants are pedagogical specialists who support nursery teachers in their work and are a reliable point of contact for the children. Observation and documentation are among the most important activities. Social assistance is a possible prerequisite for starting training as an educator.
Completion of technical secondary school (2 years)
Payment during training: No
Type of training: The Fachoberschule (FOS) leads to the general Fachhochschulreife.
Training year 1: Full-time within the school
Training year 2: Block internship in which practice and theory are closely linked.
Work after training: The Fachhochschulreife is one of the possible prerequisites for studying at a Fachhochschule. With this qualification, it is not yet possible to work in a daycare center. However, it can be used as an admission requirement to start training as an educator.
Language requirement: C1 level
The "C1 level" in the German language is one of the requirements for completing training as a state educator. If a person has reached the C1 level, they can, among other things, express themselves fluently in the language and understand more demanding, longer and complex texts.
To start training as an educator, at least B2 level must be demonstrated, but C1 level must be achieved after the first year of training at the latest.
Training as a social assistant and then training as an educator is usually the most obvious way to become an educator. However, there are other training paths, for example, if you have first completed another training or degree course. However, there is no such thing as a "lateral entry" as an educator, which ultimately always means training as an educator or completing a degree course.
In order to work as an educator in a daycare center, various qualifications or intermediate steps are helpful or even a prerequisite:
In any case, at least the intermediate school leaving certificate (Realschule/Mittlere Reife) must be proven.
Anyone who has completed any vocational training lasting at least 2 years still needs 3 months of practical experience in the pedagogical field and can then apply for training as an educator. The Fachschulen für Sozialwesen (technical colleges for social work) provide advice in this regard.
Various training courses or degrees that include practical work with children can be credited as an admission requirement for training as an educator. The Fachschulen für Sozialwesen can provide advice here.
Some courses of study also enable/facilitate access to working in a daycare center, for example studying social work or childhood education. Social pedagogues and social workers, for example, can be employed as specialists in daycare centers with a salary similar to that of educators.
It is possible to have a qualification obtained abroad recognized in Germany, for example. The qualification obtained abroad can be counted as an admission requirement if it is recognized. The technical college decides on admission to training, but does not carry out recognition itself. Recognition must take place in advance at suitable offices. This website can help with the recognition of degrees and qualifications: www.anerkennung-in-deutschland.de (opens in a new tab)
Contact us
Do you have any questions? Please feel free to contact us!
Ann-Kathrin Hinz, Training Coordinator at the EKO, can provide information by telephone and e-mail on 069 / 8065-2993.
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