Four instead of five – educator training is being shortened

Educator training in Germany is on the verge of change. Since the 1. August 2021 it is possible to shorten the training to become an educator to four years. Until now, the training lasted five years. This shortening should help meet the current demand for childcare professionals.

The decision to shorten education caused controversy in the professional community. While some experts welcome the shortening, others advocate a longer training period. They argue that by shortening the training, an important part of the qualification, especially in the area of pedagogical theory and practice, is neglected.

Despite the criticism of shortened training, there are also positive voices. At a time when there is a growing shortage of childcare professionals, shortened training can help to attract more people to the field. The ability to complete training more quickly will also allow career changers to enter the profession more quickly.

Overall, it remains to be seen what effect the shortened training will have on the quality of children’s upbringing and education and on the professional profile of educators. Professionals already working in the industry will closely monitor and evaluate the changes.

Why educator training is being shortened

The shortened educator training of four instead of five years was introduced in Germany to address the shortage of skilled workers in daycare centers and kindergartens. According to a study by the German Youth Institute, there is a need in Germany for at least 100.000 educators in order to meet care needs.

The new training regulations stipulate that educator training will be divided into two phases. In the first phase, the basics of pedagogy, developmental psychology and communication will be taught. In the second phase, specialization and practical experience in daycare centers will take place.

The shortened training also allows for greater flexibility for students. Many cannot afford a longer training period, financially or due to other commitments. The shorter training period thus offers the possibility of reaching professional life more quickly.

However, there is also criticism of the shortened training program. It is feared that the pedagogical expertise and qualifications of the educators will suffer as a result. In addition, practical experience in daycare centers could be neglected.

• Overall, however, it remains to be said that the shortened training is an important step toward reducing the shortage of skilled workers in child care.
• There are also opportunities for students to tailor their training and enter the workforce more quickly.

The new path to educator training

Training to become a kindergarten teacher will be shortened from five to four years in order to make the next generation of teachers fit for the job more quickly in view of the increasing demand for personnel in daycare centers and nurseries. But it also means a restructuring in the education system of prospective educators. The new reform, which has been in force since the beginning of 2020, has brought some changes in this regard.

For example, the first two years of educator training will now be completed at an educator training college, while the last two years will take place at a vocational school for social work. In the first two years, the focus is primarily on teaching theoretical basics, but also on practical projects. Students then gain practical experience in their final two years, where they can work in daycare centers or other daycare settings.

The new scheme is designed to help ease the transition from school to work and thus combat the shortage of educators. It also provides prospective educators with a comprehensive educational program that includes both theoretical and practical elements and meets the high demands of the profession.

• New training duration: four years instead of five
• First two years at an educator training college
• Last two years at a vocational school for social work
• Teaching of theoretical basics as well as practical experiences
• Easing the transition into the workforce and combating the educator shortage

Effects of shortening educator training on the quality of training

The decision to shorten the training to become an educator from five to four years may have an impact on the quality of training. In particular, practical training and the opportunity to reflect on and deepen learning will be affected.

Practical training is an indispensable part of training to become an educator. Shortening the training, however, reduces the amount of time students have for practical training. This may mean that students will gain less practical experience, which may have a negative impact on their skills.

Similarly, shortening the training may leave students with less time to reflect on and deepen their learning. Students must master the same material in four years as they previously did in five, which may result in learning at a faster pace. This may mean that students have less time to go into depth and reflect on what they have learned.

• It remains to be seen whether the shortening of the training actually has an impact on the quality of the training.
• However, it is important that training institutions ensure that students receive high-quality training despite the shortened duration of training.

Overall, it remains to be seen what effect the shortening of training will have on the quality of training. However, it is important that the consequences of the decision are carefully monitored to ensure that educator training remains of high quality.

Future prospects for educators despite shortened training

The decision to shorten educator training from five to four years does not only have advantages. On the one hand, graduates can enter the profession more quickly and thus find a job more quickly; on the other hand, the question arises as to whether the shortened training sufficiently prepares students for the demands of the profession.

It is therefore the responsibility of the training institutions to design the content of the training in such a way that graduates are optimally prepared for their future role as educators. Close cooperation between trainers and employers is of great importance to ensure that the training content meets the requirements of the labor market.

• Increasing the attractiveness of the profession
• Enabling a better work-life balance
• Strengthen the education sector as an important part of society

It is important that future educators build up a broad network during their training and continue their education on a regular basis in order to remain competitive in the long run. Because despite shortening the training, the work as an educator remains demanding and requires a high degree of professional competence, empathy and patience.

Nevertheless, the shortened training also offers opportunities and possibilities. Through more flexible forms of training and targeted specialization, graduates can better contribute their individual strengths and focus on specific areas. Thus they can increase their career chances and position themselves successfully on the job market.

My conclusion on the shortened educator training program

In view of the fact that educator training has been shortened from five to four years in some German states, I have intensively studied the advantages and disadvantages of this decision.

On the one hand, it is gratifying that future educators can start their careers more quickly and thus become financially independent sooner. This is also a positive signal for the next generation of staff in daycare centers and other institutions.

On the other hand, however, it is important to consider that the training content must be taught in a shorter period of time, which inevitably leads to a greater burden for the trainees. Furthermore, there is a fear that not all important competencies and skills can be taught in a shortened training program.

Ultimately, however, the shortened educator training must be tested for its practical suitability. Only a well-founded education can ensure that children in daycare centers and other institutions are cared for and supported in the best possible way in the future.