Are you a teacher, special education teacher, educator or social worker? Have you acquired your qualifications abroad and worked in this profession?
And now you would like to have your foreign professional qualifications recognized in Germany? Or simply know how you can practice your profession in Germany?
In this article, we have summarized for you what you need to consider in order to be allowed to work as a teacher in nurseries and kindergartens in Germany.
State recognition as an educator
If you have completed a degree or training abroad, you can submit this to the relevant ministry and apply for recognition as an educator. The ministry responsible for you depends on the federal state in which you want to work. In some federal states, such as Bavaria, recognition may not be necessary. We look at each situation individually and check for you how your qualifications are recognized in Germany and what steps you need to take to be able to work as an educator.
The recognition of foreign professional qualifications, especially for educators, is unfortunately somewhat more difficult, as each federal state in Germany handles the recognition of educators differently.
With this article, we would like to answer important questions that may be on your mind. The German system requires proof of your training in accordance with the rules. If you have completed your training as a kindergarten teacher abroad and come to Germany, you may encounter some difficulties.
Some German states do not recognize foreign teacher training, which can lead to confusion and sometimes frustration. In such cases, current law does not allow you to work as a recognized teacher in Germany, as there are different qualifications that are certified differently.
Why do educators from abroad come to Germany and want to work here? State recognition as an educator
There is a significant shortage of educators in Germany. Although the country is continuously creating more childcare places, there is a shortage of qualified professionals. Experts estimate that up to 240,000 positions are unfilled. If you are thinking about coming to Germany to work as an educator, you should carefully consider whether it is worth it. The path is not easy and you have to weigh up all the pros and cons.
The job of an educator is not particularly well paid in Germany. Nevertheless, more and more teachers from abroad are moving to Germany, as the profession is a calling for many and is better paid and more valued here than in their home country. Here are some important aspects that you should consider when deciding to enter the country:
Earnings in your home country and salary in Germany - Find out what costs you may incur in Germany.
Living situation - Are you coming alone or with your family? Do you have children and how do they need to be looked after?
Do you already have friends or family who can help you find accommodation? Don't forget that you have to be able to finance the first few months in Germany.
In which federal state would you like to live and what requirements do you have to fulfill in order to be able to work there as an educator?
If you have any doubts or need help, just contact us and we will discuss together what would be best for you.
State recognition as an educator - a difficult and long path
Unfortunately, the qualifications of educators from abroad are often underestimated because the rigid state system leaves little room for maneuver. Nevertheless, there are providers and institutions that are willing to pay their new team members fairly and value their work.
In order to have your qualifications recognized as an educator, it is essential that you provide proof of your qualifications. Germany places great value on written evidence. Therefore, you should carefully prepare all your certificates and diplomas and have them translated in advance.
Work as a teacher in a nursery or kindergarten?
Attention! If you are coming to Germany as a foreign educational specialist or additional worker and would like to work in a childcare facility, you should find out in advance in which federal states this is possible. We would be happy to give you individual information about where and in what capacity you are allowed to work.
In federal states such as Baden-Württemberg, Thuringia, Bavaria and North Rhine-Westphalia, for example, the profession of child care worker is a recognized apprenticeship. In other federal states, such as Berlin or Brandenburg, only recognized educators are allowed to work with children in daycare centers. In the remaining federal states, the profession is known as social assistant and is not a recognized profession in daycare centers.
Has your application for equal treatment been rejected?
If no equal status is established, you always have the option of completing further training. If your foreign professional certificate is not recognized and you are only classified as a child care worker, you have the option of completing training to become a kindergarten teacher in Germany. Alternatively, you can also complete a distance learning course in your home country that will qualify you as a kindergarten teacher.
What are the future prospects as an educator in Germany?
The future prospects for a job as a kindergarten teacher in Germany are really excellent! The shortage of qualified kindergarten teachers is currently so great that kindergarten teachers will continue to be needed for the next 20 years.
While there are positive developments, it is important to recognise that the situation may vary by region, employer and collective agreement . It remains an ongoing challenge to ensure that early childhood educators are adequately remunerated and have good working conditions to successfully carry out their important work.
By continually improving working conditions and salaries for educators, we can ensure that they can continue to provide high-quality care and education for children, which ultimately has a positive impact on society as a whole.
For further information we recommend that you contact us!
We offer valuable advice to help you make the best decision for your professional situation.
Your daycare job agency
Vladislava Ivanova