Steyr receives top grade for childcare: a family paradise!

Steyr receives top grade for childcare: a family paradise!

The city of Steyr not only convinces with picturesque landscapes and historical architecture, but also with an excellent assessment in the childcare atlas of the Chamber of Labor in Upper Austria. The city reaches top grade 1a+, which shows that the childcare conditions for children are outstanding here. This includes both crawling rooms as well as kindergartens and hoarding. According to [e-steyr.com] (https://www.e-steyr.com/steyr-news/wirtschaft-und-politik/10650-steyr-erreicht-best-be-kin-kin-kin-Be-true -ung), the facilities in Steyr fulfill all required criteria in 2024, which enables parents to reconcile work and family.

The Chamber of Labor assesses the services offered, from the quality of lunch to opening hours. In Steyr, the crawling rooms and kindergartens are open at least 45 hours a week. There is even a care of at least 9.5 hours over four days, and the closing times of the facilities are limited to a maximum of five weeks a year. This flexibility in care is a big plus for working parents.

new crawling room in Ennsleite

Another highlight: This year a new, two -group crawling room in the Ennsleite district will be opened. This offer not only increases the quality of the care in Steyr, but also helps to meet the need for childcare places. In view of the growing need for high-quality childcare, especially for under three year olds, this is an important step in the right direction, such as wko.at confirmed.

From September 1, 2024, the morning care in Krabbelstuben will also be free of charge by 1 p.m. Afternoon contributions are socially staggered and are between 23 and 119 euros per month, depending on the parents' income. Families with several children can also look forward to discounts. The financing is made by increasing the group flat rate for municipalities and additional funds from the state budget. This expansion is also largely supported by Governor Thomas Stelzer, who, however, emphasizes that no further steps are planned to reduce the contributions.

The challenge compatibility of family and work

The question of the compatibility of work and family is often a hotly discussed topic, and there is great potential for improvement. Over 44 % of mothers in Austria want only half of childcare, while in reality 48 % of mothers manage the majority of the care. According to statista.com, many parents face the challenge of arranging their professional obligations with childcare, which is often only possible with external support. Flexible employment models and state grants such as parental allowance and childcare allowance can remedy and help to find balance.

Overall, it can be said that the expansion of childcare offers in Steyr is on the right track. The top grade in the childcare atlas shows that a good hand has been proven for the needs of parents and children. This not only increases the quality of early childhood education, but also gives families the opportunity to realize their professional dreams and at the same time to be well taken care of their little ones.