Childcare and social work courses with an education voucher
Nursery assistant, all-day school supervision, school companion and parenting counselling with an education voucher: online courses with tutor support.
The courses in this area are for people who want to work with children or families. Several are explicitly aimed at career changers without a background in education, others at people already working in childcare or social professions who want to deepen their knowledge. Besides subject knowledge, patience, empathy and enjoying work with children typically matter here.
Nursery assistant basics prepares you to work in childcare, with topics such as the educational relationship, development and observation, and caring for young children. The nursery assistant advanced course builds on this, for example with diversity and inclusion, working with parents and leading groups. Supervision in open all-day schools (OGS) is for anyone who wants to look after primary school children in all-day schooling. School companion and inclusion assistant prepares you to support children with additional needs in everyday school life. Parenting counselling basics covers theories of upbringing, child development and counselling methods. All five are online distance courses with tutor support and take about 9 to 13 weeks full-time. They end with a certificate from the training provider; they do not replace state-recognised training, for example as an Erzieher (nursery teacher).
The courses can be funded with an education voucher (Bildungsgutschein, § 81 SGB III). The decision lies with your employment agency (since 2025 also if you are supported by a Jobcenter), typically based on whether the training fits your career goal. Our advice is free: we help you find the course that matches your requirements and prepare the meeting with your adviser together with you.
Funded courses in this area
5 courses
AZAV-certifiedEducation voucher
Supervision in open all-day schools (OGS)
Course code KB-7856
View detailsAZAV-certifiedEducation voucher
School companion and inclusion assistant
Course code KB-8117
View detailsWhat to look for when choosing a course
- Check the German level: nursery assistant, school companion and parenting counselling courses require at least B2, the all-day school course B1.
- Note the school certificate: both nursery assistant courses and the school companion course require a lower secondary school certificate (Hauptschulabschluss).
- Follow the order: the nursery assistant advanced course requires the basics course or experience as an assistant in a nursery.
- Think about practice: an internship is recommended for nursery assistant basics, and for a later job as a school companion you need an extended certificate of good conduct.
Frequently asked questions about this area
Will one of these courses make me a qualified nursery teacher (Erzieher)?
No. The courses end with a certificate from the training provider and are state-approved distance learning courses (ZFU). They do not replace state-recognised training as an Erzieher. Which tasks you can take on with the certificate depends on the employer and local rules. It is best to clarify this with potential employers before you choose a course.
Do I need prior knowledge in education?
That depends on the course. Supervision in open all-day schools (OGS) requires no specialist knowledge, and nursery assistant basics is aimed at career changers. The nursery assistant advanced course, on the other hand, requires the basics course or experience as an assistant. Parenting counselling basics is aimed at people from educational and social professions but is also open to those with an interest in social work.
What is the difference between all-day school supervision and school companion work?
In an open all-day school you typically look after primary school children in a group, for example in the afternoon. A school companion, by contrast, usually supports a single child with additional needs in lessons and everyday school life. Accordingly, the school companion course also covers the role and legal framework, physical and intellectual disabilities, emotional strain, and closeness and distance.