Successful "Holà Kita" project enters next round with 15 participants

January 30, 2026– Last year, eleven participants were recognized as educators.
11 Frauen stehen nebeneinander und lächeln.© Hanover Region
The 11 Spanish women from the first round of the project are delighted with their successful participation.

A successful project is entering its next round. The Hanover region is bidding farewell to the first group of Spanish educators who have successfully completed the recognition process for their teaching qualifications. At the same time, a ceremony is being held to welcome the next group of Spanish professionals, who will start the second round in February 2026. Fourteen participants started the first round. Twelve reached the end of the process, and 11 are expected to receive full recognition; the final practical assessments are nearing completion. The second round includes 15 educators, including two men. The participants will live with host families for the first few months, complete a vocational language course, and receive close support from the Caritas association in order to consistently overcome linguistic, professional, and cultural barriers.

About the "Holà Kita!" project

The "Holà Kita" project is aimed at young Spanish professionals with a university degree in "Grado en Educación Infantil" or "Maestro de Educación Infantil" who are looking for career opportunities in Germany. After receiving partial recognition as social education assistants, they work in daycare centers in the region and, at the same time, complete an adaptation course that leads to full state recognition as educators. The aim is to attract qualified professionals to the regional labor market on a permanent basis and to reduce the noticeable shortage of skilled workers in the daycare sector.


Participants are mainly recruited in Spain, for example through the Humboldt Language School in Barcelona, the International Placement Services of the Federal Employment Agency, and through cooperation with seven universities. After a 600-hour language course and achieving B1 level, the groups of participants travel to Germany. Their work in the partner municipalities of Garbsen, Laatzen, and Isernhagen begins immediately upon arrival; at the same time, further German language training begins. The adaptation qualification at BBS Neustadt, Langenhagen branch, begins in February 2026 and ends in January 2027 with full recognition.

The project has a clear goal: at least 70 percent of participants should transition into regular employment at a daycare center in the partner municipalities after completing the project. Based on current information, this will apply to ten out of twelve participants from the now completed cohort – a rate of 83.3 percent.


"Hola Kita!" will be financed from November 1, 2025, to January 31, 2027, with a total volume of up to €115,922. The costs will be borne by the Hanover region (€53,000) and the municipalities of Garbsen, Laatzen, and Isernhagen (€20,974 each).

"With the Hola Kita initiative, we are gaining qualified educators from Spain – 11 graduates today, 15 newcomers. This has become a real success story and a model that provides concrete and tangible relief for daycare centers and helps families. In addition to the professionals from Spain, we would like to thank all our partners, especially the participating municipalities and the Caritas Association. The Hanover region will continue to pursue this path consistently. "
Ulf-Birger Franz, Head of Economic Affairs for the Hanover region
"The ongoing shortage of skilled workers in our daycare centers calls for sustainable and clever solutions. Holà Kita! impressively demonstrates how the recruitment of qualified specialists, good support, and a genuine culture of welcome can work together. The fact that Garbsen is participating in this project for the second time underlines our commitment to taking responsibility for early childhood education and creating long-term prospects for skilled workers and families. "
Claudio Provenzano, Mayor of Garbsen
"The Spanish professionals have been very well received and welcomed in Langenhagen. I would particularly like to thank our daycare centers and the host families who have supported this project with great commitment. "
Mirko Heuer, Mayor of Langenhagen
"This project has been a win-win for our daycare centers, both professionally and personally: courageous young people from Spain and our dedicated daycare professionals have grown together during this time. The collaboration has challenged, inspired, and enriched everyone involved in many ways. "
Alexander Masthoff, Mayor of Seelze
"I am very pleased that the Hanover region has launched the successful "Holà Kita!" project. In Laatzen, we are supported by five Spanish educational professionals – three have been with us since September, and two more will start in the next few days. For Laatzen, the project is an important contribution to combating the shortage of skilled workers in early childhood education and thus provides concrete support for children, families, and our facilities. It is particularly important to me that our new colleagues feel at home with us, not only professionally but also personally. The fact that the participants live with host families, attend a vocational language course, and are closely supported by the Caritas association is a strong sign that integration and quality are considered together here. I warmly welcome the new educators and wish them a good start in Laatzen. We look forward to working with them. "
Kai Eggert, Mayor of the City of Laatzen
» More skilled workers for Isernhagen's daycare centers: Spanish educators have arrived at the facilities and are strengthening the teams in their daily work. This has been made possible by the Holà Kita project. Mayor Tim Mithöfer also supports the project personally and is providing accommodation for one of the educators – a clear sign of active support, successful cooperation, and integration at the local level. «
Tim Mithöfer, Mayor of the municipality of Isernhagen
"As the operator of numerous children's and youth facilities, good and reliable childcare is just as important to us as attracting skilled workers and supporting young people as they enter the workforce. Hola Kita is succeeding in getting young people from Spain excited about the Hanover region and attracting qualified skilled workers. It's a win-win situation for the young Spaniards, the daycare centers, and the local communities. We are very pleased to be able to launch the second round of this great project in cooperation with our regional and Spanish partners. "
Dr. Andreas Schubert, Chairman of Caritasverband
"The project is fantastic. It shows what is possible in Europe in terms of the shortage of skilled workers when everyone pitches in. Everyone involved in the project is highly motivated and wants to make the model a success. It's just fun. The first project group is nearing completion and we have some really great graduates who, in my opinion, are a real asset to our daycare centers. "
Uwe Backs, Principal of BBS Neustadt

Contact

Hanover region
Press
Christoph Borschel
Press

More on this topic

up