Specialties and career paths

An education as a pedagogical assistant opens work with people in many ages and life situations. You can find your place within an area that suits you and you can develop and educate yourself further over time.

§Different areas

Many pedagogical assistants work in childcare with young children — nursery and kindergarten. Others work in schools and leisure facilities with school-age children and others again in the field of people with disabilities or special needs where the task is to support participation and a good life. Each area has its own daily routine and its own professionalism.

• 01Daycare: nursery and kindergarten.
• 02School and after-school care for school children.
• 03Work with people with disabilities or special needs.
• 04Specialty services and initiatives for vulnerable children and young people.

§Becoming more skilled

You develop in the profession by gaining experience, reflecting on your practice, and learning from colleagues. The more you work the better you become at reading people, handling difficult situations, and using methods consciously. Professional curiosity — wanting to understand why something works or doesn't work — is what over time makes you a skilled professional.

§Further education

For many the pedagogical assistant is a strong foundation for further education including education to become a teacher. Others choose to stay in the assistant role and build deep experience. Both paths are valuable and the education as a pedagogical assistant provides thorough practice-related knowledge that is sought everywhere people need support.

§A trade in constant development

The view of children and people with special needs continues to develop, as does pedagogical work. Keeping up to date and being open to new approaches is part of the profession. At the same time, the basic core remains unchanged: to see the person, create security and support development.

§A meaningful trade

When a child for the first time dares to try something new because you've created security, or when a person with special needs masters something you've practiced together, you feel why the profession is meaningful. You're helping shape people's lives in their most vulnerable and formative moments—that's a great responsibility and a great joy.

“Regardless of whether you work with nursery children or adults with special needs, the core is the same: to see the person and support their development.”