Childcare worker with extended practical component (KiPrax)

To become a childcare worker, you must fulfill a number of requirements:

• a successful secondary school leaving certificate or higher qualification
• good German language skills = at least language level C1 CEFR (for foreign school or vocational training)
• health suitability
• an extended certificate of good conduct without entries

You should also have a high degree of empathy, motivation and commitment. A respectful and appreciative approach to children as well as acceptance of diversity, individuality and differences between all people is a matter of course for you. You enjoy working with children and are interested in educational topics and child development. You like to work flexibly and independently and are also characterized by a high level of determination, a sense of responsibility and organizational skills. You enjoy working in a team and appreciate an appreciative and constructive exchange with your colleagues. In addition, you are willing to learn practically and actively contribute to the daily work routine.

The training to become a state-recognized childcare worker with an increased practical component, which is completed in a dual system, takes place full-time, lasts two years and starts on 1 September. You will be both a trainee at the City of Erlangen and a student at a cooperating vocational school for childcare (Nuremberg B10, Höchstadt a. d. Aisch or Forchheim).

During your training, you will gain an insight into educational work with two different age groups. Your practical assignments will take place in municipal facilities and will cover both the crèche and kindergarten areas. This will ensure that you get to know the diversity of the profession of childcare worker.

The training office of the City Youth Welfare Office, which assigns the practical placements and is in close contact with you and your practical supervisor, will be at your side. Theoretical lessons at the vocational school for childcare alternate with practical experience at the facility so that you can apply the specialist knowledge you have acquired directly in practice.

During the Bavarian school vacations, you will work continuously at the assigned practice sites, unless you apply for leave. You will also have time each week for guidance and reflection meetings with a pedagogical specialist. In addition, there are regular exchange meetings between the trainees and the training 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. To this end, 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 vocational schools for childcare B10 in Nuremberg, Höchstadt a. d. Aisch and Forchheim. You will have lessons there on three weekdays in both years of training. You will be allocated to the vocational school in consultation with you so that you have the shortest possible travel distances.

Contents of the training

Childcare assistants in Bavaria work in various socio-educational institutions. They support the educational work in the team, plan and design educational programs for children and thus contribute to the holistic support of the children entrusted to them.

Theoretical teaching at the vocational schools for childcare lays the foundation for the fulfillment of these tasks and includes the following subjects:

• Religious education and pedagogy
• German and communication*
• English
• Politics and society, vocational and legal studies
• Pedagogy and psychology*
• Mathematics and science education, ecology and health
• Practical and methodological education and media education
• Arts and crafts education and design
• Music and music education
• Sports and physical education
• Home economics education
• Infant care
• Socio-educational practice*

* Subjects of the final examination

There is a written examination in the subjects of education/psychology and German. There is also an oral group examination in German. The practical examination is taken in the educational institution.

Practical tasks

During the practical assignment, you will test and reflect on the methods and skills acquired in theory in both years of training on two days in your practical institution. The daily working time is 7 hours 30 minutes; during vacation periods you will work 39 hours full-time. Your vacation entitlement must be taken during the non-teaching period.

Your practical assignments will take place in municipal facilities and cover both the crèche and kindergarten areas.

We offer

• varied and responsible tasks
• the opportunity to get to know pedagogical work with different age groups in different facilities
• a close link between theoretical knowledge and practical experience in everyday educational work with children

• Qualified support from appointed practical supervisors and the training office

• 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 one of the cooperating vocational schools for childcare and at the same time a trainee at the City of Erlangen. You will conclude a training contract with the City of Erlangen.

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

• in the 1st year in the amount of € 568.48
• 852.72 in the 2nd year

We also offer 30 vacation days per calendar year.

(as of 01.11.2025)

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 employees can purchase the Bavarian discount ticket (€38 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 two years of dual training, you will receive the professional title "State-recognized childcare worker" after successfully passing the practical and theoretical final examination. In addition, with an average grade of at least 3.0 and proof of at least sufficient knowledge of English (at least 5 years of lessons), you can obtain the Mittlerer Schulabschluss.

Students who already have a secondary school leaving certificate can also attend the Vocational School Plus and obtain the entrance qualification for universities of applied sciences.

Training to become a childcare worker qualifies you for pedagogical work in various socio-educational fields. As an employer in the city administration, you can help shape the care, education and nurturing of children from infancy to early school age. The main fields of work are nurseries and kindergartens. Your tasks will include helping to design educational programs and projects, observing and documenting children's development and promoting social, motor and language skills. In addition, you will actively support the educational team in the day-to-day running of the daycare center and help shape the cooperation with parents and other professionals. The expansion of child daycare means that there is an ongoing need for well-qualified specialists. Payment is based on TVöD-SuE and currently amounts to approx. 3035 euros gross for young professionals after training (as of 01.11.2025). In addition, you will receive capital-forming benefits and a special payment (Christmas bonus).

Pedagogical employees have many career paths open to them as part of their personal development - right up to management level. The city of Erlangen offers numerous pedagogical further and advanced training courses. Childcare workers with a secondary school leaving certificate can, for example, be admitted to the Academy for Social Pedagogy to train as an educator. The city of Erlangen offers you a variety of access routes, from regular to practice-integrated training (PIA). By completing this training, you will have even more diverse employment opportunities and can open up additional age groups for yourself. For example, the city of Erlangen has established the concept of play and learning rooms for children and families with special needs. Educators work in this type of facility as well as in after-school care centers.

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 are committed to equal opportunities. People with severe disabilities will be given priority if they are equally qualified.