Glossary · German–English
German Terms in Care, Kita and Social Work – English Glossary
44 German words you will hear at work in German care, day-care centres and youth welfare – each with an English equivalent and a short explanation in our own words. Where it matters, we name the legal reference.
Free – no registration. For Kita work there is also a 60-term PDF glossary.
Care & nursing
Pflegefachpersonregistered nurseProtected titles: Pflegefachfrau / Pflegefachmann – using them requires a permit (section 1 PflBG). Pflegefachperson is the gender-neutral term.
Vorbehaltene Tätigkeitentasks reserved for registered nursesDetermining care needs and planning care, steering the nursing process, securing care quality (section 4 PflBG).
Pflegeprozessnursing processNeeds, planning, measures and evaluation – led by the registered nurse (section 4 PflBG).
Pflegehilfskraftnursing assistantSupports registered nurses in basic care. (general professional knowledge)
Betreuungskraftadditional support and activation workerProvides the additional support and activation to which residents of long-term care facilities are entitled (section 43b SGB XI).
Pflegebedürftigkeitneed for long-term careHelp from others is needed permanently, expected for at least six months (section 14 SGB XI).
Pflegegradcare gradeFive grades, from minor (1) to most severe impairments with special demands on nursing care (5) (section 15 SGB XI).
Pflegekasselong-term care insurance fundPays long-term care benefits and commissions the evaluation of care needs (section 18 SGB XI).
Medizinischer Dienst (MD)medical service of the insurersEvaluates on behalf of the Pflegekasse whether a person needs care and which grade applies (section 18 SGB XI).
Pflegeheim / stationäre Pflegeeinrichtunglong-term care facilityCare under the constant responsibility of a registered nurse, full-time or day/night only (section 71(2) SGB XI).
Ambulanter Pflegediensthome care serviceCares for people in their own homes (section 71(1) SGB XI).
StationwardUnit of a hospital (Krankenhaus) with its own nursing team. (everyday term)
Ärztliche Anordnungdoctor’s orderMedication and treatment are carried out on medical order; ask if an order is unclear. (general professional knowledge)
Übergabeshift handoverStructured information exchange between shifts. (general professional knowledge)
Pflegedokumentationnursing recordsShows needs, planning, measures and evaluation. For medical treatment, patient records are required by section 630f BGB.
SIS (Strukturierte Informationssammlung)structured information collectionCore of the Strukturmodell used in many long-term care facilities. (general professional knowledge)
Expertenstandardnational expert standardDescribes good nursing practice on topics such as pressure ulcers, falls or pain; developed by the DNQP. (general professional knowledge)
Einarbeitunginduction periodPlanned introduction to the team, procedures and software. (general professional knowledge)
Kenntnisprüfung / Anpassungslehrgangcompensation measures in recognitionIf equivalence is not established, knowledge is shown through a Kenntnisprüfung or an adaptation period of up to three years; the applicant chooses (section 40(3) PflBG).
Learn more: Working as a nurse in Germany – guide →
Kita – early childhood education
Kita (Kindertageseinrichtung)day-care centreFacility where children stay part of the day or all day and are supported in groups (section 22(1) SGB VIII).
Krippenursery for under-threesGroups for children under three. (everyday term)
KindergartenkindergartenFrom about three years until school entry. (everyday term)
Hortafter-school careCare for school children outside lessons. (everyday term)
KindertagespflegechildmindingCare by a suitable childminder, e.g. in the childminder’s home (section 22(1) SGB VIII).
Trägerprovider / operatorPublic or independent body that runs a Kita (section 3 SGB VIII).
Betriebserlaubnisoperating licencePermit the provider needs to run the facility (section 45 SGB VIII).
Rechtsanspruchlegal entitlementEntitlement to a Kita place from the first birthday (section 24 SGB VIII).
Bildungsplanstate education planEach federal state has its own plan for early education (JFMK & KMK, 2022).
Konzeptionpedagogical conceptThe Kita’s written concept, linked to the state education plan (JFMK & KMK, 2022).
Eingewöhnungsettling-in periodGradual start with a parent present and a key educator. (general professional knowledge)
Schutzauftragchild protection mandateDuty to act on significant indications that a child’s wellbeing is at risk (section 8a SGB VIII).
Insoweit erfahrene Fachkraftexperienced child-protection specialistIs consulted for the risk appraisal (section 8a(4) SGB VIII).
Social work & youth welfare
Jugendamtyouth welfare officeSet up by every local public youth welfare provider (section 69(3) SGB VIII).
Jugendhilfeausschussyouth welfare committeeTogether with the administration, it forms the Jugendamt (section 70(1) SGB VIII).
Freier Trägerindependent providerNon-public organisation delivering youth welfare services (sections 3, 4 SGB VIII).
Hilfen zur Erziehungsupport with upbringingEntitlement of the persons with custody when the child’s wellbeing in upbringing is not ensured (section 27 SGB VIII).
Personensorgeberechtigtepersons with custodyUsually the parents; they hold the entitlement under section 27 SGB VIII.
Hilfeplancare planRecords need, type of support and services; reviewed regularly (section 36 SGB VIII).
Sozialpädagogische Familienhilfefamily support at homeForm of support with upbringing (section 31 SGB VIII).
Heimerziehung / betreute Wohnformresidential care / supported livingForm of support with upbringing (section 34 SGB VIII).
Inobhutnahmetaking into careEmergency protection by the Jugendamt, e.g. in urgent danger (section 42 SGB VIII).
Kindeswohlgefährdungrisk to the child’s wellbeingTriggers the child protection mandate (section 8a SGB VIII).
Erweitertes Führungszeugnisextended criminal record extractYouth welfare providers should check it at hiring and at regular intervals (section 72a SGB VIII).
Schweigepflichtduty of confidentialityDisclosing private secrets without authority can be a criminal offence for certain professions, including social workers (section 203 StGB).
Learn more: Social work and youth welfare in Germany – guide →
More guides in English
Working in a German Kita – learning pathway →19 self-study courses in 4 steps, with a free glossary PDFWorking as a nurse in Germany →Care settings, the registered nurse role, care grades, recognition linksThe Kita system in Germany explained →Krippe, Kindergarten, Hort, providers, entitlement, child protectionSocial work and youth welfare in Germany →SGB VIII, Jugendamt, support with upbringing, child protection mandate Prices · 12-month access to all self-study courses
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Bundesministerium der Justiz. (n.d.). Gesetz über die Pflegeberufe (Pflegeberufegesetz – PflBG) (§§ 1, 2, 4, 40). Retrieved October 26, 2026, from https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/pflbg/
Bundesministerium der Justiz. (n.d.). Sozialgesetzbuch (SGB) Elftes Buch (XI) – Soziale Pflegeversicherung (§§ 14, 15, 18, 43b, 71). Retrieved October 26, 2026, from https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/sgb_11/
Bundesministerium der Justiz. (n.d.). Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch (BGB) (§ 630f). Retrieved October 26, 2026, from https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/bgb/__630f.html
Bundesministerium der Justiz. (n.d.). Sozialgesetzbuch (SGB) Achtes Buch (VIII) – Kinder- und Jugendhilfe (§§ 3, 4, 8a, 22, 24, 27, 31, 34, 36, 42, 45, 69, 70, 72a). Retrieved October 26, 2026, from https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/sgb_8/
Bundesministerium der Justiz. (n.d.). Strafgesetzbuch (StGB) (§ 203). Retrieved October 26, 2026, from https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/stgb/__203.html
Jugend- und Familienministerkonferenz & Kultusministerkonferenz. (2022). Gemeinsamer Rahmen der Länder für die frühe Bildung in Kindertageseinrichtungen (Beschluss der JMK vom 13./14.05.2004 und der KMK vom 03./04.06.2004 i. d. F. vom 06.05.2021 und 24.03.2022). https://www.kmk.org/fileadmin/Dateien/veroeffentlichungen_beschluesse/2004/2004_06_03-Fruehe-Bildung-Kindertageseinrichtungen.pdf
Bundesinstitut für Berufsbildung. (n.d.). Recognition in Germany: Information portal of the German government for the recognition of foreign professional qualifications. Retrieved October 26, 2026, from https://www.anerkennung-in-deutschland.de/html/en/index.php
Make it in Germany. (n.d.). Make it in Germany [Website; linked for official information]. https://www.make-it-in-germany.com/en/
GermanSocialLab offers self-study courses with voluntary self-reflection (not graded) and a confirmation of participation after working through all modules. Legal status: 26 October 2026. This guide describes the situation in Germany in general terms; it provides professional information and does not constitute legal advice or recognition advice. Rules can differ between the 16 federal states (Länder) and between employers – always follow your employer’s procedures and ask the competent authority. Created with AI assistance and editorially reviewed.
