Childhood Education B.A.

Preparing children individually for their lives, encouraging and supporting them in their mental and emotional development with warmth and competence - that is what makes educational work with children so fulfilling. At the same time, society's expectations of educational professionals and their educational work are constantly changing. Currently, the focus is increasingly shifting to the educational mandate of daycare centers and related professional fields. At the same time, daycare centers should not work in a school-based manner and at the same time do justice to the general concept of education according to Humboldt, which, in addition to the acquisition of skills and knowledge, also provides for the promotion of the individual personality of children and their talents.

Our Pedagogy of Childhood degree program optimally prepares our students, most of whom work as educators in the daycare sector, for these challenges. We focus on the professionalization of social and childhood pedagogical work with children, teach the basics of psychology, health science and jurisprudence in the child and youth sector as well as skills for leadership and management tasks. In addition to various internships, we also draw on proven methods of supervision for improved didactics and the ability to self-reflect.

With this sound basis, we use scientific methods to qualify our students to accompany children's educational processes even more professionally and to promote them as competent individuals who actively explore and help shape their living environment.

Core questions of the degree program

The Bachelor's degree program in Childhood Education deals with the following questions:

• How does science-based pedagogical work function in daycare centers and related professional fields?
• What are the foundations of a reflective, sensitive and self-confident professional attitude?
• How can the increasingly complex demands of early childhood education work be met?
• How can legal and administrative criteria be reconciled with pedagogical requirements?

The course is organized in the form of face-to-face events (lectures, seminars, supervision), study circles and supervised practical projects as well as self-study (e.g. in the form of study letters and e-learning courses). From the third semester onwards, the attendance phases usually take place in the form of block weeks at the beginning of the semester and on two full-day days (Friday, Saturday) each month during the lecture period.

An increasingly demanding educational mandate and a shortage of specialists are creating a growing need for qualified educational staff with management qualities. Thanks to the knowledge and skills we impart to our graduates during their studies, as well as their personal commitment and empathy, they are ideally equipped for a successful career in management positions.

The professional fields in which our graduates will later work are extremely diverse. Successful completion of our degree course enables them to work in daycare centers, family centers, early intervention facilities, children's villages or open childcare. They are responsible for almost all aspects of educational work, administration and cooperation with providers and parents. For example, they chair team meetings, take care of staff training, develop educational concepts, draw up duty rosters, conduct admission interviews with parents and make important decisions for their institution as the responsible manager.