Daycare Availability In Austria: Easy Access For Parents?

If you're moving to Austria and wondering about childcare options, you'll be glad to know that daycare and preschool options are plentiful. The Austrian government has been working to improve access to childcare services, and there are various options available, including public and private kindergartens, daycare centres, children's groups, and childminders. The country also offers generous child benefits and childcare allowances to help with the cost of childcare.

Daycare costs in Austria

The cost of daycare in Austria varies depending on the type of daycare, the age of the child, and the location. Here is a breakdown of the costs associated with daycare in Austria:

Nursery or Crèche

Nurseries, also known as crèches, are for children under the age of three. The fees for nurseries can vary depending on the operator, the parents' income, and the number of hours the child spends at the nursery. In some provinces, like Tyrol, government-subsidized childcare is only available for children aged 18 months and above. In other provinces, such as Burgenland, parents' fees are repaid up to €45 per month for nursery school. In Vienna, parents only need to pay €72.33 per month to cover meal costs, and low-income families are exempt from this fee.

Kindergarten

Kindergarten is mandatory for children aged five and above, who must attend at least 20 hours per week. In public kindergartens, which are free to attend, parents might pay for their children's food, which is typically around €60 per month. Private kindergartens cost, on average, €250 per month, as part of the cost is subsidized by the government. In some provinces, like Lower and Upper Austria, part-time daycare is free for children aged between two-and-a-half and six. In Tyrol, part-time daycare is free for children aged between four and six.

Childminders or Babysitters

Childminders or babysitters are also an option for temporary childcare services. There is a central search site where parents can find childminders or babysitters based on their budget and specific criteria, such as Halal nutrition or English-speaking. Babysitters can cost around €11 per hour.

After-School Care

After-school care, known as Hort, is necessary for many parents as Austrian schools often finish at 2 pm. The cost of Hort varies depending on the region and the family's income. Parent-managed groups, known as Wiener Kinderkollektiv, have parental contributions ranging from €50 to €170 per month, with opening times of up to 40 hours per week.

Childcare Allowance

It is worth noting that most Austrian residents receive a childcare allowance to assist with the cost of childcare. Additionally, Austria provides generous child benefits, including Familienbeihilfe (family allowance), which lasts until the child turns 24. There is also a family bonus tax deduction of €1,500 per year (or €125 per month) until the child turns 18.

Overall, the average Austrian family spends very little on childcare compared to other countries, thanks to government benefits and programs.

Childcare options for different age groups

Austria has a wide range of childcare options available for children of different age groups. Here is an overview of the various options:

Infants (up to 3 years old)

For infants up to 3 years old, there are several childcare options available in Austria. One option is to enrol them in a daycare centre or a children's group. These facilities provide care for infants while their parents are at work. Another option is to hire a childminder, such as a Tagesmutter or Krabbelstube/Krippe, who can provide in-home care for your child. Additionally, you can consider hiring a nanny, who will come to your house and provide dedicated care for your infant.

Toddlers (3-6 years old)

For toddlers aged 3 to 6, kindergarten is an option. In Austria, kindergarten is mandatory for residents who turn 5 before September 1st of the calendar year of registration. There are four types of kindergarten: public, private, parent-run, and Betriebskindergarten. Public kindergartens are free to attend and typically have a maximum of 25 children per class, with one teacher and an assistant. Private kindergartens offer a more personalized experience, with smaller class sizes, and the opportunity to learn languages other than German. Parent-run kindergartens involve parents as staff members, allowing them more say in their child's education. Betriebskindergarten is provided by companies for their employees but may also accept children of non-employees if space is available.

Preschoolers (up to 6 years old)

For preschoolers up to 6 years old, there are several options available. They can attend a traditional kindergarten, as mentioned above, or they can join a family group. Family groups can accommodate up to 22 children, including infants, and provide an opportunity for mixed-age interaction. Additionally, preschoolers can also enrol in afternoon daycare, which is often attached to a kindergarten.

School-age children (6 years and above)

For school-age children, after-school care, or Hort, is available. These programs provide care and supervision for children after the school day ends, typically around 2 pm. There are also parent-managed groups that cater to up to 15 children, but these groups usually do not operate during school holidays. Additionally, school holiday childcare is available through summer camps and other programs.

Overall, Austria offers a variety of childcare options for different age groups, including infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and school-age children. These options ensure that parents can find suitable care for their children while they are at work or otherwise engaged.

Childcare allowance in Austria

Most Austrian residents receive a childcare allowance to help with the cost of childcare. This is in addition to the country's other generous child benefits, such as the universal child benefit, which can be used to cover the cost of a nanny.

Childcare Costs in Austria

On average, Austrian families spend very little on childcare, especially when compared to families in the United Kingdom. For instance, parents in the UK spend 33.8% of their income on childcare, while Austrian couples spend less than 4% due to government benefits and programs.

Childcare Facilities in Austria

Childcare facilities in Austria include public and private institutions (with subsidies) and personal arrangements. Public childcare includes supervised playtime, learning, and meals. The financing of childcare facilities is primarily the responsibility of the provinces and municipalities, although the Austrian government has contributed significant funding towards the expansion of childcare services.

Types of Childcare in Austria

Preschool and Daycare

Kindergarten is mandatory for Austrian residents who have turned five years old before September 1 of the calendar year of registration. Children can be enrolled in kindergarten for free through their local council. Preschool education has been compulsory in Austria since 2010.

Nannies and Au Pairs

Parents may also consider hiring a nanny or an au pair to provide childcare assistance. Nannies in Austria have certain employment rights, such as the right to paid maternity leave. Au pairs, on the other hand, are typically young foreigners who live with the family and provide babysitting and light housework services while learning about Austrian culture.

Childcare Allowance Requirements

To be eligible for a childcare allowance in Austria, certain requirements must be met, including:

• Community life with the child in Austria
• Legal residence in Austria (Right of Asylum or residence permit)
• Entitlement to family allowance and actual receipt of payments
• Additional income must not exceed a certain limit

Childcare availability in Austria

Austria has a wide range of childcare options available, with a mix of public and private institutions, as well as personal arrangements. The country's young-age school system and early childhood education facilities contribute to its high quality of living.

Public and Private Institutions

Austria's childcare options include day nurseries, kindergartens, and preschools. The government subsidizes kindergarten, making it free to attend, although there may be a small charge for food. Public kindergarten classes have a maximum of 25 children, aged three to six, with one teacher. Private kindergartens are also available, with smaller class sizes and a more personalized experience.

Childcare for Younger Children

For children under six, there are daycare centers, children's groups, and childminders. Daycare centers are usually open all day and cater to working parents. Childminders, or "Tagesmutter," often care for children in their own homes, along with their own kids, and have improved qualifications due to mandatory training courses.

International Childcare

For expats, there are international daycare centers and preschools, such as the Vienna English Preschool, that offer an English-speaking or multicultural environment.

Childcare Costs and Allowances

Childcare costs in Austria are kept relatively low due to government benefits and programs. Since 2009, part-time daycare has been free for under-fives, and there are also childcare allowances available. The Austrian government contributed €442 million towards expanding childcare services from 2008 to 2018, with regional governments adding a further €252 million, creating over 76,000 places for children aged six and below.

Registration and Requirements

Registration for public daycare can be done at the Gemeindeamt (municipal office), the Magistrat (Magistrate), or sometimes at the daycare center. There is no vaccination requirement for enrollment. For kindergarten, registration is done at the magistrate's office or local town hall, where the child will receive a kindergarten identification number.

Childcare for expats in Austria

Austria has a universal childcare program, which means that it is open to all pre-school-aged children. The standard of childcare is very high throughout the country, and ranges from preschool to after-school daycares, crèches, nannies, childminders, and au pairs. These include public and private institutions (with subsidies) and personal arrangements.

Public childcare

Public childcare in Austria includes learning with supervised playtime. It is financed primarily by the provinces and municipalities, with additional funding from the Austrian government. Children aged five and above can be enrolled in kindergarten for free through their local council.

Private childcare

Private kindergartens will cater to the 3-6 age range but many will also accept younger children. The ratio of child to caregiver is often much lower than in public kindergartens. They also offer more flexibility and a full roster of activities. Private kindergartens are a little more expensive, costing on average €250 per month, but this cost is subsidised by the Austrian government.

International childcare

If you are looking for an English-speaking daycare or a more multicultural experience, there are options. These include the International Daycare Centre, Vienna English Preschool, and the Children’s House International Montessori.

Childminders

If you are looking for a Tagesmutter (childminder), Krabbelstube/Krippe (nursery), or a Leih-Oma (rent-a-granny), there is one central search site you can use. You just need to enter the start date, the age of your child, and your district along with any other specific search criteria.

Nannies

In Austria, a nanny is a childcare professional who will come to work in your house. Typically, they will have a contract with set hours and a routine set in an agreement with the employer in advance. Parents can access a generous universal child benefit to assist with the cost of a nanny.

Au pairs

Au pairs are young foreigners (often students) who will live with you and provide babysitting and light housework services. Foreign au pairs from third countries are exempt from the Ausländerbeschäftigungsgesetz (alien employment law). However, you must register their employment at your local Arbeitsmarktservice (job service centre) two weeks before their start date. Au pairs must be between the age of 18 and 28 and will get approval for six months at a time and usually not longer than a year. As of January 2020, the wage of an au pair must be at least €460.66 for 18 weekly working hours.

Babysitters

If you require temporary childcare services, babysitters are another option. Specifically, in Austria, they have something they call a (grandma-for-hire) service which costs around €11 per hour.

Before- and after-school clubs

In Austria, Hort (after-school care) is sometimes necessary as many Austrian schools run until 14:00. These options range from region to region and the cost depends on your level of income. There are also parent-managed groups to look into, which cater to up to 15 children.

School holiday childcare

Children aged three and under usually go to a crèche. Parents need to pay for these but the fees vary depending on income and the individual nursery. Some big Austrian companies provide daycare for their employee’s children which can be particularly useful during the school holidays.

Frequently asked questions