Under-threes

Care at home: there are big differences

The model has already been established in Berndorf

(Bild: Tschepp Markus)

The Berndorf and Upper Austrian models for childcare for the youngest children are not really comparable. The population and political parties are generally divided on the subject.

Should the country's youngest children be looked after at home or in toddler groups? This question divides the population and also the parties. While the Social Democrats, for example, refer to financial support for the first option as a "stove premium", the FPÖ calls it "freedom of choice". This issue is also currently being discussed in the federal government negotiations. In principle, however, a distinction must be made between two approaches, which are often confused. On the one hand, there is the Berndorf model of former mayor Josef Guggenberger (ÖVP).

On the other hand, there has been the Upper Austrian model since 2004. Briefly explained: In Upper Austria, families receive 80 euros per month for a child who is not in a toddler group. In the Berndorf model, which Marlene Svazek (FPÖ), for example, favors, families who look after their child at home should receive at least the difference between childcare allowance and minimum benefits. Depending on the duration, this amounts to several hundred euros a month, split between the local authority, the state and the federal government. In-house childcare is also included in the Salzburg government agreement.