Practical Training Program for Early Childhood Educators

For Option 1:

Applicants who have completed training as a state-certified childcare worker

• a successful completion of secondary school or a higher-level qualification
• Completed vocational training as a state-certified childcare worker
• Good German language skills = at least C1 level on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) (for those with foreign school or vocational training)
• Good health
• An extended criminal record check with no entries

For Option 2:

Applicants with a (specialized) university entrance qualification

• A valid, unrestricted university entrance qualification for applied sciences, a subject-specific university entrance qualification, or a general university entrance qualification
• Good German language skills = at least C1 level on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) (for those with foreign school or vocational education)
• Proof of a five-week internship (200 hours) at a social-educational practice facility*
• Good health
• An extended criminal record check with no entries

For Option 3:

Applicants with vocational training in a different field

• A successful secondary school diploma or higher-level qualification
• At least two years of completed vocational training in a different field in accordance with the Vocational Training Act, technical college training, or other equivalent vocational qualification
• Good German language skills = at least C1 level on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) (for those with foreign school or vocational training)
• Proof of a five-week internship (200 hours) at a social-educational practice facility*
• Good health
• An extended criminal record check with no entries

For Option 4:

Applicants with a secondary school diploma who have completed a preparatory social studies year (SEJ)

• A successfully completed secondary school diploma or higher-level qualification
• Good German language skills = at least C1 level on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) (for those with foreign school or vocational education)
• Good health
• An extended criminal background check with no entries

For all options , we also require a complete application package, including a cover letter, resume, and a current (final) school transcript.

* If applicable, you may also complete this pre-internship as a paid internship at the City of Erlangen’s Youth Welfare Office after submitting your application.

In addition, you should demonstrate a high degree of empathy, motivation, and commitment. Treating children, adolescents, and their parents or guardians with respect and appreciation, as well as embracing the diversity, individuality, and differences of all people, comes naturally to you. You enjoy working flexibly and independently, and you are also characterized by a strong sense of purpose and good organizational skills. You also have the ability to reflect on yourself and your own actions and to engage with your own areas of learning and teaching. You enjoy working in a team and value respectful and constructive dialogue with your colleagues.

The practice-integrated training to become an educator, which is completed in a dual system, takes place full-time, lasts three years and starts on September 1. You will be both a trainee at the City of Erlangen and a student at the B10 University of Applied Sciences in Nuremberg.
During your training, you will get to know the educational work in three different municipal facilities and three age groups and thus also the diversity of the profession of educator. There is an annual change of training placement. The training office (in the City Youth Welfare Office) is available to you as a contact person, who assigns the trainees to the practical placements. They alternate between receiving theoretical specialist content from the specialist academy and then being able to try it out in their practical placement.
During the Bavarian school vacations, you will be assigned to the practical placements throughout, unless you apply for vacation. You will also have weekly time for guidance and reflection meetings with a pedagogical specialist and preparation time. In addition, there are regular exchange meetings between the trainees and the training office (in the City Youth Welfare Office).

During your training, you will have the opportunity to develop methods and skills that will enable you to be a strong and reliable companion for the children and young people and a competent and empathetic support for the parents/guardians. In addition, you will be integrated as a reliable and cooperative team member in the individual childcare facilities.

Theoretical training

For the theoretical part of the training, the city of Erlangen cooperates with the Fachakademie für Sozialpädagogik, Nuremberg, Am Fernmeldeturm 3, where you will have lessons on three weekdays in the first two years of training. There are two days of theory lessons in the third year of training.

Contents of the training

Educators are employed in various socio-educational fields of work. They work in multi-professional teams and are the point of contact for parents. They plan and design educational programs for children and young people. The basis for this range of tasks is provided by theoretical teaching at the Academy for Social Pedagogy with the following subjects:

• Pedagogy/psychology/special education
• Social studies/sociology
• Mathematics and science education
• Ecology/health education
• Law and organization
• Literature and media education
• English, German
• German
• Theology/religious education (by denomination or ethics)
• Practical and methodological education with discussion skills
• Art and craft education
• Music and movement education
• Exercises/elective subjects
• Additional subject mathematics

Proof of performance at the Fachakademie is provided in the form of written examinations, presentations, written elaborations of offers and reflections, documentation. In addition, in the second year of training, a technical paper must be completed. The final written and practical examination takes place at the end of the third year of training.

Practical training

During your practical placement, you will test and reflect on the theoretical methods and skills you have acquired in the first and second year of training on two days, and on three days in the third year of training at your practical facility. The daily working time is 7 hours 30 minutes, or 7 hours 40 minutes in the final year of training, and you will work 39 hours full-time during vacation periods. Your vacation entitlement must be taken during the non-teaching period.
The City of Erlangen provides facilities in the following fields of work:

• Crèche
• kindergarten
• playroom
• after-school care
• Learning room
• Youth learning room
• Children's house
  
  Twice a year, a practical visit is made by the supervising teacher from the specialist academy. This must be prepared, written up and reflected upon. The practical visits are graded.
  
  

We offer

• a varied and responsible job
• the opportunity to get to know pedagogical work with different age groups and in different facilities
• a close link between theoretical specialist knowledge and practical experience in everyday educational work with children and in working with their parents/guardians
• regular, professionally sound practical guidance from trained specialists
• Reflection on your own professional role
• Offer of supervision
• Motivated and supportive colleagues
• Participation in team meetings and collegial case consultations

During your training, you will be a student at the specialist academy and at the same time a trainee at the City of Erlangen. You will conclude a training contract with the City of Erlangen in accordance with the collective agreement for trainees in the public service - special section on nursing (TVAöD-BT-Pflege).

During your training, you will receive a monthly training allowance (gross)

• in the 1st year in the amount of € 1,490.69
• in the 2nd year in the amount of € 1,552.07
• in the 3rd year in the amount of € 1,653.38

As a trainee of the City of Erlangen, you are also entitled to capital-forming benefits of €13.29 per month and a special annual payment ("Christmas bonus").

After successfully completing your final examination, you can also expect a final bonus of €400.

The training allowance is based on the collective agreement for trainees in the public sector - special part nursing (TVAöD-BT-Pflege).
We also offer 30 days' vacation and an attractive company pension scheme.

(Status: 01.05.2026)

All the social benefits that the city administration of Erlangen offers its employees naturally also apply to our junior staff.

Anyone who regularly travels to work by public transport receives a monthly travel allowance from the City of Erlangen. During their training, junior staff can purchase the Bavarian discount ticket (€43 ticket). The costs incurred for this are subsidized by the city of Erlangen to the amount of €20 upon application. However, it is also possible (depending on availability) to apply for a municipal employee parking space.

As part of the company's health management program, there are regular sports courses and other health-promoting activities that you can take part in.

After three years of dual training, you will receive the professional title "State-recognized educator" after successfully passing the practical and theoretical final examination.
You can also obtain a subject-specific higher education entrance qualification by taking a supplementary examination in English. If you would also like to obtain the general entrance qualification for universities of applied sciences, you must take the additional subject of mathematics. An average grade of 1.5 or better in the final examination and in the supplementary examination confers the subject-specific higher education entrance qualification.

As an employer, the City of Erlangen offers you the opportunity to help shape the education and care of children from infancy through adolescence. In addition, the City of Erlangen has established the concept of play and learning centers for children and families with special needs and support requirements. The expansion of child day care is creating an ongoing need for well-qualified professionals.

After completing your training, you will start in pay grade S8a, level 2, and thus earn €3,738.13 (gross) (as of May 1, 2026). In addition, you will also receive capital-forming benefits and a special payment (Christmas bonus).

The application period begins around the beginning of November of the respective year before the start of training and ends in mid-January of the year of recruitment.
Please refer to the annual job advertisement for the exact date.
Of course, recognized foreign educational qualifications will be taken into account.

We see diversity as an enrichment and pursue a policy of equal opportunities.
People with severe disabilities are given priority if they are equally qualified.