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SCHOOLS

UPDATED: These Covid rules apply in Austrian schools from Monday

Covid-19 measures for school have been announced ahead of the start of the new school year in Austria.

Published: 24 August 2021 15:35 CEST
Updated: 6 September 2021 10:51 CEST
UPDATED: These Covid rules apply in Austrian schools from Monday
Austria has put in place a range of new rules when school goes back after the summer holidays. Photo by marco fileccia on Unsplash

As teachers and parents prepare for the start of the new school year, the Minister of Education Heinz Faßmann (ÖVP) has now confirmed Covid-19 measures for schools.

A two-week “safety phase” was initially announced, but that has now been extended to three weeks as Covid-19 cases across the country continue to rise.

The safety phase will include a requirement for staff and students to wear a mask outside of the classroom but not while sitting in class.

Faßmann confirmed the safety phase will also include compulsory Covid-19 tests for students and teachers, regardless of vaccination status.

This will then be followed by the existing nationwide 3G rule, which means students and teachers will have to show proof of vaccination, recovery or a negative test to attend school.

However, if the incidence rate in a federal state is below 100, then students can take an antigen test voluntarily.

If the incidence rate is between 101 and 200, the risk is classified as medium, which means masks are required outside of class and unvaccinated teachers and students have to test three times a week.

If the incidence rate rises above 200, masks will also have to be worn while seated in class.

Faßmann first announced the measures during a visit to a summer school on Tuesday 24th August, where he rejected the possibility of compulsory vaccination for teachers.

On Wednesday, Faßmann said the Federal Government intends to avoid comprehensive school closures during the autumn and winter.

How will the new rules work?

In the first three weeks of the new school term, both students and teachers will have to take three Covid-19 tests each week. One of them must be a PCR test.

According to Kronen Zeitung, it is expected the testing regime will start on Monday with a nasal antigen test and a PCR test. The reason for both tests is the result from an antigen test takes around 15 minutes, but the PCR can take around 24 hours.

READ MORE: Covid hospitalisations in Austria double in a fortnight

PCR test results are valid for 72 hours, so staff and students will then have to take another antigen test on Thursday.

After the three-week safety phase has ended, schools will adopt the 3G rule depending on the incidence rate in the province.

For students, both the antigen and PCR tests can be done at schools, including the “spit test” through a sample of saliva.

Teachers will have to present an external PCR test, which can be conducted at testing stations across the country.

Headteachers will be responsible for collecting the results and informing class teachers, who will then inform the students.

Negative test results will be entered into the Ninja Pass, along with vaccination status. Children are eligible for vaccination in Austria from the age of 12.

The Ninja Pass allows school children to access hospitality venues and sports facilities, like swimming pools and cinemas.

‘Ninja tests’: What are Austria’s coronavirus sticker book tests for children?

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LIVING IN AUSTRIA

What kind of kindergartens can you choose from in Vienna?

Vienna is known for affordable and high-quality childcare. Parents can choose between four different models of kindergartens. Here's what you need to know about them.

Published: 10 April 2024 11:08 CEST
Updated: 10 April 2024 13:10 CEST
What kind of kindergartens can you choose from in Vienna?

(All prices are 2024 values)

If your child is turning three soon and you live in Vienna, it might be time to think about which kindergarten to attend. While living in the capital, you have a wide range of kindergartens to choose from, which can be overwhelming, especially if you are new to the country.

In Vienna, children have the option to attend different types of kindergartens, such as a public one or a private (but heavily subsidised) kindergarten. When deciding which is right for your child, it’s a good idea to ask family and friends for recommendations, to read about the different options online and also to try out a day in a kindergarten together with your child. 

If you want to know your options and what is close to where you live, you can take a look at this map, which points out the different kindergartens and their locations.

As a parent, you can register your child for kindergarten at any time, regardless of the school year. However, registering during the main registration period in November and December can increase the chances of securing a spot in your preferred childcare centre.

A playroom for children. Photo by Gautam Arora on Unsplash

READ ALSO: Which Austrian states offer free public kindergartens?

Different types of kindergartens

The main types of kindergartens in Vienna are public, private, or parent-run kindergartens. In addition, there are also so-called Betriebskindergärten, run by companies mainly for their employees’ children.

Public kindergartens

Public kindergartens in Vienna are funded and regulated by the city government. They are often operated by municipal departments or educational authorities and follow certain standards and guidelines set by the government to create safety, well-being, and educational quality. 

In Vienna, children can attend public kindergartens for free; the only expenses parents need to cover are €79.95 per month for food, along with some other extra smaller costs for materials and activities.

Each group in a public kindergarten holds a maximum of 25 children, with responsibilities shared by a team of mostly three staff members, including two main teachers and one assistant.

Most public kindergartens are open from 7am to 6pm, making them a good option if you are a full-time working parent.

You can register your child for a public kindergarten online.

Private kindergartens

Although private kindergartens are a more expensive than public, they are still quite affordable. In general, private kindergartens cost around €250 per month, since some of the costs are subsidised by the government.

Private kindergartens tend to offer children a bit more attention than the public ones. There is often one teacher for as few as seven children. They also offer more specific educational programs, such as fully English-spoken education, Montessori pedagogics, bilingual alternatives, or religious approaches.

The City of Vienna subsidises places at private kindergartens with up to the following amounts which are directly paid to the private institution:

  • For children under 3.5 years: €762.57
  • For children from 3.5 years to compulsory school age:
    • Full-day care: €520.20
    • Part-time care: €428.21
    • Half-day care: €309.99 

When applying for a private kindergarten, you need to apply for a “Kundennummer” (customer number) through Stadt Wien and then use it to register your child directly at the chosen educational institution.

Children playing together inside. Photo by BBC Creative on Unsplash

Parent-run kindergarten

A parent-run kindergarten typically has mid-size groups of children. It involves having two to three staff members for around 15 children at a time. Usually, the staff members are the children’s parents, with the idea of creating a more familiar atmosphere where parents have a greater say in their child’s education.

A parent-run kindergarten is usually run by an association board where the parents function and take care of finances, organisation, cleaning, cooking, and possible renovations. All parents in the association are required to contribute both financially and with their working hours.

In Vienna, parent-run kindergartens usually comes with lower costs for parents than private kindergartens. Parent-run kindergartens normally receive subsidies and funding from the local government to help cover operating costs such as staff salaries, utilities, and materials. The level of support normally depends on factors such as the number of children enrolled and the qualifications of staff members. 

Here you can take a look at some different options if you are interested in participating in a parent-run kindergarten. 

Betriebskindergärten

This type of kindergarten, provided by companies for their employees as a benefit, is often offered free of charge, with space sometimes available also for children of non-employees.

Betriebskindergärten are typically created by large companies such as Austria’s national railway company, ÖBB, to make life easier for employees and to be seen as attractive employers on the market. They are usually financed mainly by the companies themselves but can also receive support from the government.

Depending on the specific Betriebskindergarten, the group size and number of teachers can vary.

Here is a list with Vienna’s kindergartens run by different companies. 

READ MORE: How can foreign nationals bring their family members to Austria?

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