{"id":9388,"date":"2026-04-27T00:04:32","date_gmt":"2026-04-27T00:04:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/stadtkueken.de\/working-in-a-preschool-career-salary-and-training-as-a-preschool-teacher\/"},"modified":"2026-09-03T07:35:32","modified_gmt":"2026-09-03T07:35:32","slug":"working-in-a-preschool-career-salary-and-training-as-a-preschool-teacher","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/stadtkueken.de\/en\/working-in-a-preschool-career-salary-and-training-as-a-preschool-teacher\/","title":{"rendered":"Working in a Preschool: Career, Salary, and Training as a Preschool Teacher"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Are you looking for a career that\u2019s meaningful, offers responsibility, and provides job security? Then <\/span>training program to become a preschool teacher<\/b> is exactly the right choice for you. At a time when early childhood educators are more important than ever, this path offers you not only emotional fulfillment but also a solid professional foundation. Today, we\u2019ll show you how to find your <\/span>start your career in preschool<\/b> , what financial opportunities await you, and why the year 2026 holds special significance for your career.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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Why Working with Children Is More Important Today Than Ever Before<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Everyday life at a daycare center is much more than just playing. As an early childhood educator, you support children during the most important developmental phase of a person\u2019s life. You nurture talents, provide a sense of security, and serve as a key attachment figure. The shortage of qualified professionals means your expertise is in extremely high demand on the job market. Many municipalities and private providers now offer attractive benefits to attract motivated staff to the <\/span>early childhood education training<\/b> .<\/span><\/p>

The demands of the profession have increased. Today, the focus is on early childhood education and individualized support. If you\u2019re interested in <\/span>training program to become a kindergarten teacher<\/b> , you\u2019re choosing a job that\u2019s recession-proof. There\u2019s a shortage of tens of thousands of qualified professionals across Germany, which significantly strengthens your bargaining position when looking for a job and negotiating your salary.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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Modern Job Titles: What Do We Call Early Childhood Educators Today?\n<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Language evolves, and with it, the profession\u2019s self-image. While people used to often refer to \u201ckindergarten teachers,\u201d today they use professional terms such as <\/span>educational specialist<\/b> or early childhood educator. These titles underscore the educational mission you fulfill every day. You are an educational guide, a conflict resolver, and a trusted confidant all in one.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Career Paths: A Detailed Look at Early Childhood Education Training\n<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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There isn’t just one way to work in a preschool. Depending on your personal situation, you can choose from different models. The traditional <\/span>early childhood education program<\/b> takes place at a technical college for social pedagogy. It combines theoretical coursework at school with practical training blocks at the preschool. The program usually concludes with what\u2019s known as the <\/span>certification year<\/b>, during which you\u2019re already fully integrated into the day-to-day routine of the preschool.<\/span><\/p>

An increasingly popular alternative is the <\/span>PiA training<\/b> (practice-integrated training). Here, you\u2019re employed by a provider from the very beginning and earn money starting in your first year of training. This makes this path particularly appealing for people changing careers. If you complete your <\/span>training as a kindergarten teacher<\/b> through the PiA model, you\u2019ll skip the first few school years\u2014which are often unpaid\u2014in the traditional program.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Requirements for Starting Your Career\n<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Before you get started, you should check whether you meet the necessary requirements. Generally, you\u2019ll need a middle school diploma and to have completed an initial vocational training program (e.g., as a social services assistant) or a high school diploma. In addition to the formal criteria, soft skills are particularly important. Patience, empathy, and the ability to handle stress are essential in this job. You\u2019ll work closely with parents and need to keep a cool head even in stressful situations. <\/span><\/p>

Our tip:<\/b><\/p>

Take advantage of internships early on! A two-week trial internship will quickly show you whether the fast-paced environment of a daycare center is a good fit for you and which provider best aligns with your values. <\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Financial Considerations: How Much Do You Really Earn?\n<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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A common misconception is that pay in the social services sector is low. But the reality will be different in 2026. As a result of the latest collective bargaining negotiations in the public sector (<\/span>TV\u00f6D SuE<\/b>), salaries have risen noticeably. Your <\/span>early childhood educator\u2019s salary<\/b> depends heavily on your experience and pay grade. You\u2019ll typically start in pay grade S 8a.<\/span><\/p>

The question \u201cHow much does a preschool teacher earn after taxes?\u201d also has a positive answer. Someone just starting out in the public sector can expect a gross salary of about 3,400 to 3,600 euros. After taxes and social security contributions are deducted, this leaves a fair income, which is supplemented by special payments such as a Christmas bonus or performance-based pay. Those who pursue further training\u2014for example, to become a preschool director\u2014can reach significantly higher salary levels. <\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Cost of Training to Become a Preschool Teacher\n<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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One important point is the <\/span>tuition costs<\/b>. State-run vocational schools generally do not charge tuition. Private schools, however, may charge fees. If you choose the traditional program, you will often have to cover your living expenses yourself, unless you are eligible for BAf\u00f6G. For the <\/span>PiA training program<\/b> , on the other hand, you are paid from day one, which significantly lowers the financial barrier.<\/span><\/p>

Did you know?<\/b><\/p>

Starting in 2026, new legal regulations regarding staffing ratios for childcare workers will take effect. For you, this means more time per child and less stress in your day-to-day work thanks to better staffing levels in the groups. <\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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TV\u00f6D SuE 2026 Pay Scale for Early Childhood Educators<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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The following table provides an overview of current salary ranges in the public sector. Please note that private organizations (e.g., church-affiliated institutions or parent-led initiatives) often use their own pay scales, which are usually based on these. <\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Entgeltgruppe (S-Tabelle)<\/th>Stufe 1 (Einstieg)<\/th>Stufe 3 (nach ca. 3 J.)<\/th>Stufe 6 (Endstufe)<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
S 8a (Erzieher\/in)<\/td>ca. 3.450 \u20ac<\/td>ca. 4.100 \u20ac<\/td>ca. 5.200 \u20ac<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
S 9 (Koord. Erzieher)<\/td>ca. 3.550 \u20ac<\/td>ca. 4.250 \u20ac<\/td>ca. 5.600 \u20ac<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
S 13 (Kitaleitung klein)<\/td>ca. 4.100 \u20ac<\/td>ca. 4.900 \u20ac<\/td>ca. 6.400 \u20ac<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Changing Careers and Working Without Formal Training<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Want to get started right away, but don’t have any teaching credentials yet? A <\/span>job at a preschool<\/b> is also available as a <\/span>as an untrained assistant in a preschool<\/b> . Many centers are desperately seeking support for housekeeping duties or as assistants in the groups. This can be an ideal first step toward a <\/span>make the switch to a career in early childhood education<\/b> later on.<\/span><\/p>

As an assistant, you\u2019ll perform support tasks. However, you\u2019re generally not allowed to lead groups on your own. Many federal states now offer accelerated programs to help assistants earn their certification as early childhood educators while working. This way, you can start earning money while you\u2019re still <\/span>training as a kindergarten teacher<\/b> .<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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The Benefits of a Career as an Early Childhood Educator\n<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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