Which term refers to a professional responsible for the education and care of young children?

The term that refers to a professional responsible for the education and care of young children is "Kindergartenpädagoge." This term specifically denotes a teacher or educator who specializes in early childhood education, typically within a kindergarten setting. Their role encompasses not only facilitating learning and development through structured activities and play but also nurturing the emotional and social needs of young children. Kindergarten educators play a pivotal role in laying the foundation for lifelong learning and development.

The other options describe professionals with different specializations. A special needs teacher focuses on providing tailored educational strategies and support for children with disabilities or learning challenges. A speech therapist is primarily concerned with diagnosing and treating communication and speech-related disorders; their role is more specialized than that of a general educator. A childminder often provides informal care and supervision for children but may not have the educational training that a kindergarten educator possesses. Thus, while all these roles support child development in various ways, "Kindergartenpädagoge" specifically targets the educational and developmental needs of young children in a formal educational setting.