Internationales Zentrum für Professionalisierung der Elementarpädagogik (PEP)

What Internationales Zentrum für Professionalisierung der Elementarpädagogik (PEP) does

Internationales Zentrum für Professionalisierung der Elementarpädagogik (PEP) is a university-affiliated center at the University of Graz, founded in September 2021, that operates as the largest center for early childhood pedagogy professionalization in the German-speaking region, supporting over 15,000 childcare facilities across Austria and Germany. The organization maintains two locations — its Graz headquarters (Hilmgasse 4, within the Faculty of Environmental, Regional and Educational Sciences) and a Berlin office (Alexanderufer 3–7) — and serves early childhood educators, childcare facility operators, and federal education ministries in the DACH region.

PEP's portfolio operates across two product axes. The first consists of proprietary, scientifically validated observation instruments: the GrazIAS family (Basis, Self-Evaluation, Mathematics, Technical Education, Didactics, Children's Perspective) for assessing interaction quality between educators and children, plus KiDiT® for early childhood documentation and JuDiT® for reading ability assessment in secondary education. These instruments are registered brand identities and rely on standardized observational coding rather than machine learning. The second axis consists of professional education services: the federally funded Elementar+ three-year university program (capacity for up to 300 working childcare professionals annually), a Master's program in Early Childhood Pedagogy at the University of Graz, continuing education courses, the free Praxisanleitung digital learning platform, and an OER portal hosting over 280 open educational resources.

PEP's business model is predominantly government-funded rather than commercial. Elementar+ and Praxisanleitung digital are funded respectively by the Austrian Federal Ministry for Education, Science and Research (BMBWF) and the German Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth (BMFSFJ), with full program costs covered by the ministries and no participant fees. The only disclosed commercial revenue stream is the sale of printed GrazIAS scale booklets at €19.70 per unit plus shipping. The organization holds no equity funding and operates as an academic unit within the public University of Graz, with its projects formally recognized as Best Practice in the German federal government's 2024 'Gesamtstrategie Fachkräftegewinnung' workforce strategy.

Name

Internationales Zentrum für Professionalisierung der Elementarpädagogik (PEP)

Legal name

Internationales Zentrum für Professionalisierung der Elementarpädagogik (PEP)

Website

https://pep.uni-graz.at

Company type

Private

Founded year

2021

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

PEP is a University of Graz-affiliated center that develops scientifically validated observation instruments and government-funded professional development programs for early childhood educators, supporting over 15,000 childcare facilities across Austria and Germany.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Graz, Steiermark

HQ country

Austria

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Government-Funded Training Programs: Elementar+ and other training programs are funded by Austrian Federal Ministry for Education, Science and Research (BMBWF) and German Federal Ministry for Family Affairs (BMFSFJ). Participation is free for eligible candidates; the ministry covers all program costs.
2. Printed Materials and Publications: Sale of printed versions of educational materials and the GrazIAS scale booklet (€19.70 each plus shipping). Revenue from printing and delivery costs for educational publications.
3. University Course Fees: Master's program in Early Childhood Education and other university courses offered through University of Graz with standard tuition structures.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

PEP develops and delivers scientifically validated observation instruments (GrazIAS family, KiDiT®, JuDiT®) for assessing interaction quality in early childhood settings, alongside federally funded professional qualification programs (Elementar+, Masterstudiengang Elementarpädagogik, continuing education) and an Open Educational Resources portal. The center supports more than 15,000 childcare facilities in Austria, Germany, and Switzerland through evidence-based training, research-based tools, and government-funded workforce development initiatives.

Product overview

PEP (Internationales Zentrum für Professionalisierung der Elementarpädagogik) operates as a university-based center with two primary offerings: (1) assessment and observation instruments — including the GrazIAS family (GrazIAS Basis, GrazIAS Selbstevaluationstool, GrazIAS Mathematik, GrazIAS Technische Bildung, GrazIAS Didaktik, GrazIAS Kinderperspektive, and GrazIAS 0-6), KiDiT® for early childhood observation, and JuDiT® for reading ability assessment; and (2) professional education services — including the Elementar+ federal university continuing education program, a Masterstudiengang Elementarpädagogik, PEP Weiterbildungen (continuing education courses), Praxisanleitung digital (digital learning platform), and an OER portal with over 280 open educational resources. The center supports more than 15,000 childcare facilities across the German-speaking world.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Elementar+: Federal initiative for the qualification of early childhood educators in Austria — a free, part-time university course enabling employees in childcare to become fully qualified pedagogues.
• GrazIAS (Grazer Interaktionsskala)
• KiDiT®
• JuDiT®
• ICKE (Internationale Corona-Kita-Erhebung)
• Praxisanleitung digital

Products and services

• GrazIAS Basis Scientifically based standardized observation instrument (Graz Interaction Scale) recording pedagogical professionals' performance through participatory observation (~5 hours); measures quality of interaction design with verifiable aspects and personalized coaching feedback.
• GrazIAS Selbstevaluationstool Digital self-evaluation tool allowing pedagogical professionals to independently assess interaction quality in their daycare center, supporting internal quality assurance and development.
• GrazIAS Mathematik Non-participatory observation scale focusing on the conscious facilitation of mathematical experiences in early childhood settings, providing feedback on mathematical situation design as a coaching starting point.
• GrazIAS Technische Bildung (TeBi) Non-participatory observation scale focusing on building and constructing activities in early childhood education, providing feedback on interactions within building and construction processes.
• GrazIAS Didaktik In-depth focus on the general didactic design of everyday pedagogical life, used in combination with GrazIAS Basis during observations.
• GrazIAS Kinderperspektive Dialog-promoting instrument with a child-friendly smiley scale and open response fields for capturing children's perspectives (from age 3) on interaction quality in everyday kindergarten life.
• KiDiT® Scientifically reviewed observation instrument supporting documentation of observations in early education practice across Austria, Germany, and Switzerland, with background information, didactic materials, studies, and tips on observation.
• JuDiT® Observation instrument for documenting reading ability of learners in secondary education levels I, II, and vocational education, based on the multi-level model of reading by Rosebrock & Nix (2017).
• PEP Weiterbildungen (Continuing Education) Continuing education programs for pedagogical professionals covering interaction quality, participation/children's rights/child protection, observation/documentation/planning, everyday design, digitalization, language education, mathematical education, technical education, and music/movement.
• Elementar+ Universitätslehrgang Three-year part-time university continuing education program (fully funded by Austrian Federal Ministry) enabling childcare employees without full pedagogical qualification to become qualified group-leading pedagogues; combines online and in-person instruction in regional groups across Austria.
• GrazIAS 0-6 The Graz Interaction Scale for children in the first six years, focusing on interaction quality in out-of-home education and care; used in external and self-evaluation, available as printed scale and digital tool.
• OER-Materialien (Open Educational Resources) Open educational resource materials (280+) on professional educational work, quality development and assurance, adult education methods, diversity and inclusion, professional identity, educational partnerships, and participation/child welfare.
• Praxisanleitung digital Free digital learning platform for early childhood pedagogical practice supervision and OER in elementary education, developed in cooperation with the federal program 'Sprach-Kitas' and funded by the German Federal Ministry for Family Affairs.
• Masterstudiengang Elementarpädagogik The first and currently only master's program in Early Childhood Pedagogy in Austria, offered by the University of Graz with a high proportion of online teaching combined with block in-person sessions.

Quantifiable outcome

• Supporting more than 15,000 childcare facilities across the German-speaking region
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• German Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth (BMFSFJ)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 May 2024PEP projects (PA digital, Elementar+) recognized as Best Practice in the official 'Gesamtstrategie Fachkräftegewinnung' (Overall Strategy for Skilled Worker Recruitment) presented by Family Minister Lisa Paus. PEP participates in government workforce development initiatives for early childhood education.
• Austrian Federal Ministry for Education, Science and Research (BMBWF)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 April 2023Government partnership for Elementar+ federal initiative to professionalize early childhood educators. The ministry fully funds the program costs, enabling up to 300 working professionals annually to obtain qualified pedagogical certification through the three-year university course.
• Charité – Universitätsmedizin BerlincoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Joint research collaboration on ICKE (Internationale Corona Kita Erhebung) - International Corona Kita Survey. The study examined COVID-19 spread and impacts in early childhood facilities across Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, combining PEP's pedagogical expertise with Charité's medical research capabilities. Conducted from August 2020 through 2021 with over 3,600 facility managers and 16,000 families participating.
• Susanne Grassmann (eduRD) and Franziska Vogt (PH St. Gallen)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration in developing the Digital Education Model for Early Childhood Pedagogy. The model provides guidance for pedagogical professionals on digital learning opportunities in early childhood facilities.
• Sibylle M. Winter (Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerExpert collaboration for the 'Partizipation, Kinderrechte und institutioneller Kinderschutz' (Participation, Children's Rights and Institutional Child Protection) training program, providing trauma-related expertise.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Bayerisches Staatsinstitut für Frühpädagogik (ifp München): A Bavarian state institute for early childhood education research, training, and materials development. Directly comparable to PEP in mission: scientific basis, professionalization offerings, and continuing education for ECE professionals across the DACH region.
• Niedersächsisches Institut für frühkindliche Bildung und Entwicklung (nifbe): Lower Saxony's institute for early childhood education, providing research, continuing education, and quality development materials for practitioners. Operates with a similar state-funded academic-anchored model, making it a natural peer to PEP for continuing education and instrument development.

Broad incumbents

• Bertelsmann Stiftung: Major German foundation with significant programming on early childhood education quality, workforce, and policy (e.g., 'Es liegt was in der Luft' and Familienarbeit reports). Comparable as a non-academic intermediary producing practice-oriented ECE insights and shaping national discourse.
• Deutsches Jugendinstitut (DJI): Germany's largest social science research institute focused on youth, childhood, and families. Overlaps with PEP's research function, materials development, and policy advisory role across the broader DACH region, though DJI's scope extends well beyond early childhood.

Others

• Cornelsen Verlag: Germany's largest educational publisher, including early childhood curriculum, teacher handbooks, and digital learning materials. Adjacent to PEP in adjacent role (publishing and distribution of ECE teaching materials) rather than direct competition.
• Caritas Österreich / Caritas Deutschland: Large confederation of social welfare organizations operating significant kindergarten and childcare operations across DACH. Comparable as a stakeholder in the same workforce and quality ecosystem PEP serves, but as a Träger (operator) rather than training provider.
• Westermann Gruppe: Educational publisher producing curricula, textbooks, and digital tools, including early childhood materials. They are a comparable supplier-side organization for ECE classrooms but operate as a publisher rather than a training/instrument center.
• Bundesvereinigung Kitas (BVK): German umbrella association for independent kindergarten operators and Träger, active in policy dialogue on workforce, quality, and funding. Engaged in the same federal policy conversations (Fachkräftegewinnung) that underpin PEP's positioning.

Emerging players

• Pädagogische Hochschule Heidelberg: A leading German teacher-training college offering ECE programs and applied research, with an institutional focus on inclusive early childhood education. Comparable to PEP on the professionalization/training axis though less concentrated on assessment instruments.
• Pädagogische Hochschule St. Gallen (PHSG): Swiss teacher-training institution that is an existing PEP collaboration partner (with professor Franziska Vogt) and produces ECE research, materials, and continuing education in the Swiss German market. Has partial but meaningful overlap in product and target audience.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/zentrumpep

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Internationales Zentrum für Professionalisierung der Elementarpädagogik (PEP)