Early Childhood Education, BA

Your theoretically sound, practical knowledge of supporting and nurturing children opens up a wide range of career opportunities:

• Early years education institutions (e.g. crèches, nurseries, schools)
• Educational and educational policy institutions (e.g. family centres)
• Children’s leisure facilities
• Policy consultancy
• Childhood education-oriented associations and welfare organisations
• Youth welfare offices and education departments of public institutions

Semesters 1–2: Fundamentals of Early Years Education

Acquire comprehensive fundamental knowledge for professional practice in early years education and care. 

Semesters 3–5: Advanced study and specialisation

Specialise in the fundamentals of early childhood education and academic theory through practical projects and compulsory elective modules. 

6th semester: Internship semester

Gain practical experience in settings such as nurseries, schools, counselling services or children’s and youth facilities. 

7th semester: Bachelor’s thesis & Colloquium

Apply your knowledge in a research project and academic presentation. 

Our compulsory Internship semester in the 6th semester guarantees you valuable practical experience in the field of early childhood education. At the same time, it enables you to obtain state accreditation as an early years educator upon completion of your degree. 

Proof of a pre-placement internship lasting at least 8 weeks must be provided by the time of re-registration for the 4th Semester of study at the latest

In Germany, the move towards academic qualifications for (early years) education professionals has led to the introduction of a new state-recognised Bachelor’s degree in Early Years Education.

On the Early Years Education degree programme at Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences, you will acquire comprehensive theoretical and practical skills for working with children aged between 0 and 14. The degree programme is based on methods and theories from the fields of education, the humanities, social sciences and psychology. You will learn to apply this theoretical knowledge in educational practice. This will enable you to work with children using a differentiated teaching approach, and to support and guide their individual development with knowledge, empathy and sensitivity.

As a graduate, you will be trained to critically reflect on educational situations based on educational and scientific theories, and to develop recommendations for action, particularly for parents and educational institutions. Practical teaching, group discussions and video analyses in the KLEX learning workshop, together with reflection and communication skills, will equip you for a job market offering excellent employment prospects. It is also possible to go on to study for a Master’s degree in Germany or other European countries.

The KLEX Learning Workshop is a place where both students on the Bachelor’s degree programme in Early Years Education and children can learn in an active, inquisitive, exploratory, creative and open-minded way. It is a 70 m² room with an adjoining natural outdoor area, which was created in 2021. The abbreviation KLEX stands for ‘Child-centred Learning, Experience and Experimentation’. Further information about the learning workshop can also be found here: 

https://www.lernwerkstatt-klex.de/

The BOX (Behaviour, Observation& EXperience) is a space where students on the Bachelor’s degree programme in Early Years Education can actively develop skills in the areas of counselling, communication and conflict resolution, as well as in cultivating a professional attitude, and can learn about and apply specific psychological and educational testing and diagnostic procedures. Further information on the BOX and the test library can also be found here: 

BOX Laboratory

The timetable can be found here: Timetables

After graduation, graduates may work in nurseries, schools, counselling services or children’s and youth centres, amongst other places. There is also the option of pursuing further studies at another university in the fields of early years education or psychosocial counselling.   

Have you just started your degree? On the following pages, you’ll find information about starting your studies.

• Information for all students: First day
• Information for students in your faculty: First-year students in Faculty XY
   

The Examination Service is here to help you with the following:

• the final processing of your recognised academic achievements and Examinations
• organising your examination registrations via HISinONE
• Certificates of achievement, diplomas, final grade certificates and the certification of the aforementioned documents
• applying for approval to undertake your Bachelor’s or Master's thesis
• applying for your work placement or semester abroad
• acceptance of your final thesis and forwarding it to the Examiners
• Issuing duplicate copies of your certificates and diplomas

Links and downloads

Examination directory/examination schedules
Examination regulations
page Examination Servicespage, including FAQs
Examination Board page

Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences offers advice and support not only regarding your studies but also on personal matters, such as:

• Literature research
• Starting a business
• Mental health
• Studying with a child
• Studying with a disability
• Anti-discrimination etc.

Here you will find an overview of all the support services available

In addition, your faculty offers support tailored to your degree programme.

Here you will find an overview of the advisory services offered by your faculty

Are you studying at Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences and would like to spend a semester studying abroad or doing an Internship?

Semester abroad

Are you wondering where to live during your studies and how to fund them? We can help you answer these questions.

Accommodation
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