An early years teacher moved from Spain to Germany with support from EURES

Mireia was working as an early years teacher in Spain when she started thinking about moving to another European country for better pay and conditions. When the 26-year-old decided to follow her long-standing ambition to move abroad, she found there were plenty of opportunities.

‘I always liked the idea of moving abroad,’ says Mireia. ‘I always liked the idea of working in the Netherlands, Denmark or Germany. My grandma lived in Germany for a while, so she told me a little bit about her experience, and I thought, “Okay, I want to do the same”.’

Mireia took part in the EURES Targeted Mobility Scheme (TMS), which offers practical and financial support from national employment services for people seeking work, training or apprenticeships in another EU country, Norway or Iceland. In Mireia’s case, she participated in the EURES TMS Welcome to Kindergarten programme, which supported her to take part in a 4-month intensive online German course before she left, through language course provider Humboldt in Barcelona.

She moved to Germany as one of a group of 14 teachers, supported by two German and Spanish-speaking mentors from Caritas in Hannover, a local branch of Germany’s largest welfare association. They found jobs for the new recruits and guided them through the administration required in order to work in Germany.

Mireia is now working in a village kindergarten near Hannover, where she continues to study German in order to gain full certification. She says that when she first arrived, it was challenging to use her new language all the time, while the weather and the culture were both very different from her home. ‘It was really scary at first and it wasn’t easy. But, in the long term, it’s really, really, really worth it. So I really recommend it.’ She adds: ‘I’m really happy with the work and I now see myself staying here to live abroad.’

The Welcome to Kindergarten scheme

Marianne Perrin, senior expert and EURES Adviser at Bundesagentur für Arbeit, says the organisation works as part of the EURES network – and primarily with EURES Spain – to recruit and place early childhood educators in Germany, with a range of support.

‘Almost every important phase of the programme is supported by TMS, from language courses and travelling costs for job shadowing to relocation costs for candidates and sometimes also for their family members, further training in Germany and, if applicable, also costs for the recognition of their qualifications,’ says Marianne. ‘As we and the employers invest in candidates’ qualifications and employability, we of course hope that they will stay in Germany for a long time, which most do.’

Caritas Hannover coordinates the Welcome to Kindergarten programme in that area, recruiting qualified Spanish teachers for the region’s daycare centres, and guiding them through recognition of their qualifications and settling into life in Germany.

Caritas social worker Sabrina Heinrich says that by 2027, the project aims to support more than 30 international professionals. ‘The programme has proven to be very useful,’ says Sabrina. ‘It noticeably helps to ease the workload in the nurseries, brings new professional impetus to the educational work and creates long-term career prospects in Germany for the participants.’

Teachers look after groups of up to 25 children aged three to six and lead educational activities from music to exercise, while promoting language development, supervising free play and working with parents.

Mireia advises others to follow in her footsteps. ‘I think it’s really interesting to get to know another way of life. Moving through a programme that helps with the papers and the language is really helpful. You have a lot going on, and it’s hard at first to make the move.’

Find out more on the Welcome to Kindergarten webpage.

Related links:

Welcome to Kindergarten

Living and working in Germany

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