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Four things you should know before registering your child in a kindergarten in Vienna

Moving to a new country can be challenging, but the stress of finding care for a young child can make it even harder. Here are a few tips and things you should know about Viennese kindergartens.

Published: 31 March 2023 12:35 CEST
Updated: 25 April 2024 09:31 CEST
Four things you should know before registering your child in a kindergarten in Vienna
Children at a kindergarten (Photo by BBC Creative on Unsplash)

Finding the right kindergarten in Vienna can be daunting, especially for parents new to the city or unfamiliar with the local education system. 

From understanding the different types of kindergartens available to researching potential schools and navigating the application process, there are a lot of factors to consider. However, with some research and preparation, parents can find a high-quality kindergarten that meets the needs of both themselves and their children. 

Here are the key things you need to know about kindergartens in Vienna.

READ ALSO: Four things foreigners in Austria need to know about the education system

Kindergartens are public or heavily subsidised

Children in Vienna can attend any of the Austrian capital’s numerous municipal or private kindergartens. You can find the location of all of them HERE.

However, a good tip is to search using the Kigafinder.at website, which uses Google Maps to pinpoint locations and has links to the websites of private institutions. Parents also ask for kindergarten recommendations from other friends and family – or simply walk around their neighbourhood looking for nearby schools.

Childcare is free or subsidised for parents of children who live in Vienna. The City of Vienna provides places for about one-third of the kindergarten, while most of the spots are in private schools paid for by the City.

READ ALSO: Which Austrian states offer free public kindergartens?

The registration period is in November and December

The kindergarten year begins in September, and the main registration period for a municipal kindergarten is in November and December of the year before.

 If you enrol your child during the peak enrolment period, you have the best chance of receiving a spot at one of your preferred locations at the start of the upcoming kindergarten year, according to the official website. 

You can register online HERE.

The process is relatively similar when registering for a subsidised kindergarten place in a private Viennese kindergarten. You also apply for a “Kundennummer“ with the Stadt Wien and then use it to register your child directly with the private educational institution.

Usually, parents set up a list of kindergartens that they believe are a good fit and reach out to their office to schedule an appointment for a meet-up. 

However, if you need a spot urgently or move to Vienna after the registration period, you can also contact the responsible department, the MA 10, via telephone (+43 1 277 55 55) or in the service centres. Or check with a private institution directly.

READ ALSO: ‘Better and cheaper’: What foreigners really think about childcare in Austria

How are spots allocated?

The allocation of municipal kindergarten places takes place on a priority basis according to the following criteria:

  • Parents are working or in education (proof required)
  • A sibling attends the same kindergarten location at the same time
  • The child lives near the kindergarten
  • Older children are ranked before younger children

According to the government, there is also a special consideration for children in the last year of kindergarten and other social aspects such as a crisis or special life circumstances.

Kindergarten girls playing

(Photo by Vitolda Klein / Unsplash)

Spots in private institutions don’t usually follow these priority criteria, but they might. Parents often mention that getting places for children younger than four years old can be more complicated. This happens because these groups are usually smaller and because, in a municipal kindergarten, older children are given priority.

Usually, for online registration, parents need to provide the date of birth of the child, meaning they can’t apply for a spot before the child is born. However, if there are special circumstances, parents can apply directly with the MA 10 and try to ensure a spot earlier.

READ ALSO: EXPLAINED: What you need to know about parental leave in Austria

How much does it cost?

Kindergarten is free of charge in Vienna for all children up to compulsory school age if the child and at least one person with custody (parent or person entrusted with custody) have their primary residence in Vienna. 

In municipal kindergartens, meals cost €72.33 per month. However, you can apply for an exemption from the meal contribution at the Child and Youth Welfare Office.

If you do not have your main residence in Vienna, you can still register your child in the city, with costs varying depending on the attendance model. For half-day attendance, the price is €168.50, while for all-day care, it would cost €284.69 plus a meal contribution of €72.33 per month.

When it comes to a private kindergarten, the costs also depend on the attendance model but are heavily subsidised by the City of Vienna following this model:

  • For children under 3.5 years: subsidy of €635.44 per month
  • For children from 3.5 years until compulsory schooling: full-day care €427.97, part-time care €354 and half-day care €255.10

The subsidy is paid directly to the private education institution and, in most cases, covers the entire cost of fees. However, parents are usually still expected to pay for the costs of meals and any additional services, depending on the institution. This often adds up to around €100 a month.

Did we miss something or do you have any further questions about registering a child in a kindergarten in Vienna? You can leave us a comment below or email us at [email protected].

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LIVING IN AUSTRIA

‘Haushaltsversicherung’: How does Austria’s home insurance work?

'Haushaltsversicherung' is one of Austria's most popular types of insurance. It is not mandatory, but it is certainly worth evaluating, especially as it comes with many possible add-ons.

Published: 2 May 2024 15:22 CEST
'Haushaltsversicherung': How does Austria's home insurance work?

Austrians are certainly obsessed with insurance coverage, and one of the most popular and common ones is known as the “Haushaltsversicherung”—if you don’t have it already, you have certainly heard of it. Here’s what you need to know about household insurance.

Firstly, this insurance covers damages to “all movable objects within your own four walls,” as Austria’s Chamber of Labour (AK) explains. This includes furniture, carpets, and electrical appliances. It would also cover damages caused by fire, storms, water, burglary, and glass breakage. 

Certain types of insurance, such as private liability insurance or mandatory dog liability insurance, are almost always combined with household insurance—another reason why the Haushaltsversicherung is so popular in Austria.

READ ALSO: What kind of insurance do I need to have in Austria?

However, there are enormous differences in premiums and benefits, so experts suggest you check precisely what you need before taking out insurance. The AK also says you should talk to an insurance advisor to learn more about your specific case and needs, particularly if you have any valuables in your home. 

Additionally, they said: “It makes sense to check your policy every few years to ensure that you are properly insured. This guarantees that the sums insured and the risks included are up-to-date and sufficient”.

What should I keep an eye on when reviewing policies?

Of course, different companies have their own offers, and they are often highly customisable to fit your apartment and lifestyle—some things you need to be aware of, though.

Certain policies are tied to the size of your apartment, while others will have a lump sum regardless of the size of your place. Policies also usually differ depending on whether you live in an apartment or a house. 

While most insurance will cover glass breakage (such as when a hail storm breaks your window, for example), some might have it as an add-on (wahlweise mit Glasbruch). 

You may also add other types of insurance to your household insurance, the most common being mandatory dog liability insurance (Hunde-Haftpflicht), legal insurance (Straf-Rechtsschutz), and sports insurance.

READ ALSO: Should I take out insurance before skiing in Austria?

It’s worth it to read each policy, but you should know some common clauses beforehand. For example, insurance often won’t cover burglary costs if your house has not been properly secured and locked. This might seem obvious, but since door knobs don’t open from the outside without the key, people often leave their homes, especially for short errands, and don’t lock the doors all the way. Insurance and safety experts recommend you get in the habit of locking your home doors.

It’s also important to check if your insurance will pay you “Neuwert” or “Zeitwert” in case of damage. 

A Neuwert means the insurance will pay for a replacement object, regardless of how old the stolen or broken one was. However, many insurance policies still contain the so-called “Zeitwert”, something like “current value”, so you wouldn’t receive an amount that could pay for a new product. Instead, a loss of value of around 10 percent per year could be expected for most objects.

What should I do if there is damage to my home?

If you see any damage to your home from burglary, accident or other types, you need to notify your insurer immediately and report the damage you have suffered. 

The insurance conditions usually stipulate a maximum period of three days for reporting a claim in property insurance. The Chamber of Labour also recommends that you send a written notification of the claim (preferably by registered mail, they add).

“Make a list of all items that have been destroyed or lost and enclose it with your report to both the insurer and the security authorities”, they said. And, of course, in the event of fire burglary or robbery, always inform the fire department or police authorities.

READ ALSO: EXPLAINED: The Austrian insurance for if you get sued – or want to sue someone

How long does the insurance last, and how much does it cost?

The insurance term is usually specified in the counteract. In general, though, you can terminate it after the third year with one month’s notice if the contract has not already expired.

If you move house or move abroad, you can terminate your household insurance contract. You can cancel the insurance the day before the move begins (preferably by registered letter).

If you do not exercise your right of termination, the insurance will remain valid during the move and in the new home.

Regarding prices, they can be as low as a few euros a month (such as insurance specifically tailored to students living in shared flats) to several hundred a month if you have a large place with plenty of valuables or include several add-ons. 

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