Funding for the Improvement of the Staff-to-Child Ratio in Lower Austrian Kindergartens

From September 1, 2024, the State of Lower Austria will continuously provide direct subsidies to public institutions and companies in the Lower Austria region to improve the staff-to-child ratio in toddler and age-extended kindergarten groups. Eligible to apply are kindergarten operators of Lower Austrian state kindergartens and private kindergartens. Funding is provided in the form of a grant of up to €15,000 per additional full-time (at least 30 hours per week) employed childcare worker and per kindergarten year. This budget has been allocated with a volume of €15 million to sustainably strengthen the areas of children and youth, education, labor and social affairs, as well as training and further education, and to enhance the quality of care and education.

A prerequisite for funding is the employment of an additional specialist in an age-extended group caring for five children under three years of age or in a toddler group with at least eleven children under care, in accordance with the provisions of the Lower Austrian Kindergarten Act. Part-time employment as well as commencement or termination of the employment relationship during the year will be considered on a pro-rata basis. The project duration is twelve months from September 1, 2024, and an adjustment mechanism annually aligns the funding amount with the consumer price index. Applications are accepted continuously until no later than October 15 following the end of the respective kindergarten year. Only personnel expenses are eligible for funding. For the application, a completed and signed form as well as proof of the childcare worker’s professional qualifications must be submitted. This continuously available funding program makes a significant contribution to strengthening staffing levels and substantially improves care conditions in Lower Austrian kindergartens.