Pedagogical specialists are basically persons with a specialized theoretical and practical social pedagogical education, which is proven by a domestic or foreign degree at least on the level of a specialized academy.
Supplementary pedagogical staff for the care of children of all age groups, on the other hand, are persons with at least two years of predominantly pedagogically oriented, completed training. In addition, the pedagogical staff must have the German language skills necessary to fulfill the educational and upbringing goals.
The generally recognized occupational groups for work as a pedagogical specialist include, among others, nursery school teachers, childhood pedagogues, social pedagogues and, for work as a supplementary pedagogical staff, child care workers.
Persons who do not have a degree comparable to the above-mentioned reference professions, but who can provide evidence of pedagogical qualifications and professional experience in the field of childcare, have the option of applying directly to a sponsor of a daycare facility and having the latter check with the competent supervisory authority whether their pedagogical qualifications are sufficient to work as a supplementary or even as a specialist. In principle, the sponsor of a facility is obliged to provide proof of sufficient qualification of the staff it employs.