Yes, it is possible to complete a shortened CHE course to become a childhood educator with an apprenticeship qualification as a childcare specialist.

In this case, the course lasts at least 3600 learning hours. By comparison, a CHE degree course in childhood education for people with another upper-secondary level qualification takes at least 5400 learning hours.

A criminal record or ongoing criminal proceedings against you is only an obstacle to admission to the HF degree program in Childhood Education if this is incompatible with your future professional activity in child education. However, in individual cases this should always be discussed personally with the relevant higher education institution, which will be able to advise you individually.

It is possible to study full-time to become a childhood educator (formerly a child educator) or to complete a part-time course.

A full-time course is a school-based course that includes one or more internships. In the part-time version, you will work at least 50% of the time in a childcare facility during the course.

Childhood educators with an Advanced Federal Diploma of Higher Education (HFP) perform specialist and management tasks in supplementary family and school care, are responsible for quality assurance and concept development, work with parents and can perform organizational tasks. They work in daycare centers, crèches, after-school care centers, lunch tables, socio-cultural and inpatient facilities or other public and private institutions.

Unless you already have a Federal VET Diploma in Childhood Education or another equivalent qualification and have passed the admission procedure of the training provider, at least 400 hours of pre-study work experience in a child education facility are required for the CHE course in Childhood Education. In the case of purely school-based training, this number increases to at least 800 hours. Please enquire at the College of Higher Education you wish to attend.

If you have completed an apprenticeship as a childcare specialist Federal VET Diploma (FaBe) or an equivalent qualification, you are entitled to start continuing, further training as a childcare teacher CHE (formerly child educator CHE) directly after your apprenticeship - if you pass the aptitude test.

If you have a non-specialist apprenticeship qualification or a Baccalaureate, Specialized Baccalaureate, federally recognized secondary school certificate or another equivalent qualification, it is not possible to study for a CHE degree directly afterwards. In such a case, in addition to the aptitude assessment, a pre-study internship of at least 400 hours in the field of childhood education must first be completed. At least 800 hours for persons with a purely school-based education.

Training in childhood education is offered both part-time and full-time.

It is best to ask the school of your choice directly which teaching models they offer.

As a childcare specialist (FaBe) with a Federal Diploma of Vocational Education and Training, you have the option of shortening your training in childhood education at a College of Higher Education. The CHE training course to become a qualified childhood educator CHE is usually shortened by one year with this previous training.

For admission to the HF program for Childhood Educators (formerly Kindererzieher HF / Kindererzieherin HF), it is ideal if you have a Federal Certificate of Competence (EFZ) as a Childcare Specialist (FaBe) or an equivalent qualification.

However, you can also start training at a college of higher education in childhood education with a different EFZ. In this case, however, practical experience of at least 400 hours is required.