But need to catch up

Kindergartens open one and a half weeks longer

From September, childcare in crèches will be free in the mornings until 1pm. For the afternoon, socially graduated rates apply.

(Bild: stock.adobe.com,Krone Kreativ)

Upper Austria's kindergartens were open for an average of 48.5 weeks in 2023 - one and a half weeks longer than in the previous year. However, more than half of the childcare facilities still do not meet the criteria for work-life balance.

Kindergartens are now open on average 8.5 hours per day and 42.5 hours per week. This is the result of an evaluation from the office of Deputy Provincial Governor and Education Officer Christine Haberlander.

The number of kindergartens that meet the so-called "VIF" criteria for work-life balance has also increased by eleven percent, from 238 to 329 kindergartens. However, well over half of the 741 kindergartens in total still do not meet the criteria (e.g. open at least 45 hours a week and offering lunch).

Regional differences
There are also clear regional differences. The statutory cities and the eastern districts have the highest proportion of VIF-compliant nursery schools. In the districts of Rohrbach, Schärding, Braunau and Gmunden, less than 20 percent of facilities meet the criteria for work-life balance.

Crèche becomes free in the mornings
State Premier Thomas Stelzer and Deputy Premier Christine Haberlander (both ÖVP) are delighted with the development. "Upper Austria is making a huge leap forward in childcare. This strengthens our position as an attractive location and makes it much easier to combine family and career," says Stelzer.

Education officer Haberlander refers to "the next big step": from September 1, childcare in crèches will be free in the mornings until 1 pm. In the afternoon, socially graduated rates of 25 to 128 euros per month will apply.