Spanish early childhood educator finds her ideal role in Germany

Since 2025, early childhood educator Nerea has worked at a Waldorf day care centre in the city of Wuppertal. Here, children learn through free play in nature, developing as individuals with support from staff.

She particularly enjoys working in an environment that aligns with her own values. ‘For many years, I have been interested in similar educational approaches. I am very happy to have found a kindergarten where I can work according to this educational philosophy. It is important to me to value the individuality of every child and to help children to experience and appreciate nature consciously.’

After just a year at the centre, Nerea was promoted to group leader. ‘I am very eager to learn and like to take the initiative by contributing ideas and supporting the continued development of the daycare centre,’ she says.

Nerea enjoys working in Germany, where ‘working conditions for early childhood educators are better than in Spain.’ Aside from work, she enjoys being close to nature and appreciates the good transport links to Germany’s cities. The 31-year-old has also built an active social life in Wuppertal. She started to make friends during her German language course before meeting others through work and hobbies such as aerial hoop and aerial silks. Nerea now plans to continue living in Germany.

How Nerea came to move country

Nerea had already worked in the field of early childhood education for a few years, when she registered as a jobseeker in Spain following unemployment. In one email from the Spanish State Public Employment Service (SEPE), she discovered the German Federal Employment Agency’s Welcome to Kindergarten programme run by its International Placement Services (ZAV) with support from the EURES Targeted Mobility Scheme (TMS).

She contacted the programme and was supported throughout her move to Germany by two of its career advisers, Elizabeth Vicho and Johannes Gruner. The programme recognised both her professional qualifications and her preferences about the type of setting she would like to work in. ‘I felt very well supported throughout the entire process,’ she says.

Elizabeth, EURES Adviser at ZAV, says: ‘Nerea saw the info email from her Spanish EURES Adviser too late – the selection process was almost completed by then. In an intense exchange, she shared her vision of her dream job with me. We had a “match” and she joined us very spontaneously. I found that very brave, and I am glad that this courage has paid off so well for her. Fortune favours the bold!’

The Welcome to Kindergarten programme recruits early childhood education professionals from other EU Member States to work in Germany, working with local authorities, municipalities, private childcare providers and EURES. The organisation creates groups of around 15 to 20 qualified professionals, who move together to roles within a specific region of Germany.

EURES supported Nerea through financial and practical measures, including the recognition of her qualifications. ‘Receiving financial support throughout the process was very important to me. Without this support, I would not have been able to afford the costs of relocating, attending a German language course and completing the job shadowing.’

Learning from experience

One of the biggest challenges, according to Nerea, was learning the language. For seven months she worked and studied at the same time to obtain a B2 language qualification. When moving abroad, Nerea highlights the importance of having an open mind, as work culture and everyday life may differ from what you are used to home.

Looking back, Nerea describes her move to Germany as a great adventure. ‘Moving to another country requires a great deal of energy and patience, especially when it comes to the language,’ she says. ‘Openness and a willingness to learn are very important. I can only recommend that everyone experiences something like this at least once.’

Nerea has been invited back to her former university in Spain, the University of Manresa, to give a presentation about her experience and the Welcome to the Kindergarten programme, alongside representatives of ZAV. She now hopes that others will learn from her experience and take up career opportunities abroad, with the support of EURES.

Discover the Welcome to Kindergarten programme and about living and working in Germany. For more mobility success stories, read Golf industry professional builds cross-border career with EURES support, Content professional finds dream job in Munich and Former manager moves from Lithuania to Norway for new challenges.

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Welcome to Kindergarten programme

Living and working in Germany

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