Age 0-3

There are two types of childcare specific to the 0-3 age range, namely Tagesmutter (Childminder) and Krabbelstube/Krippe (Nursery). Leih-Oma (rent-a-granny), Babysitter and Au Pair cover a wide range of ages however they are included in this section as they may well provide the ideal solution to your personal childcare needs for young babies and toddlers.

Tagesmutter (Childminder)

Description: A Tagesmutter is a private individual who offers childcare, for up to 5 children, in her own home. They have to have a recognised childcare qualification and a childcare permit issued by the Ministry of Youth and Family. Some are affiliated to an organisation, others are independant.
Pros: They provide small group care in a family environment which gives them the ability to focus on the idividual child's needs. Generally they are very flexible with days/hours and they are a low cost option.
Cons: There is no back-up when the Tagesmutter is sick or on holiday.
How to find one:
Kinderdrehscheibe has a database of Tagesmutter vacancies.
Eltern fur Kinder Osterreich
Hilfswerk
Volkshilfe
Wiener Kinderfreunde

Krabbelstube/Krippe (Nursery)

Description: Day nurseries for children up to age 3. Group sizes and the number of nursery school teachers are geared towards the needs of small children. Special emphasis is placed on making children feel safe and sheltered whilst catering to their needs for physical activity. In state run Krippe there is a team of four (two nursery teachers and two assistants) looking after each group, maximum group size is 15.
Pros: Age specific facilities, multiple staff means no interuption for sickness.
Cons: Larger group size.
How to find one:
Private listed on Kinderdrehscheibe
State (Stadt Wien) click on District.

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Leih-Oma (rent-a-granny)

Description: The principle of this is a long-term "replacement grandparent" with a regular weekly schedule of child contact (ie. not just an evening babysitter twice a month). A Leih-Oma is typically an older (retirement age) woman who looks after your children in your own home. They are available for children of all ages (birth through to teenagers) and will look after more than one child. They have no specific certifications, although all have considerable childcare experience and some have formal training.
Pros: Highly personal childcare; emotional bonding between child and Leih-Oma. many are motivated primarily by familial contact rather than financial gain. Childcare can be tailored to your family schedule and needs (cooking, taking child to classes etc.).
Cons: No back-up when Leih-Oma is sick or on vacation. Due to advancing age soem Leih-Omas may not by physically capable of managing very active children or lifting heavy strollers etc.
How to find one: Organised by the Katholischer Familienverband (KFV).
Address: Oma-Dienst, Ms. Elisabeth Prantl, Katholischer Familienverband der Erdiozese Wien, Stephansplatz 6/5/30, 1st District. Tel: 01 515 52-3331.

Babysitter

Description: An individual who provides childcare in your home.
Pros: One on One care in child's own home surroundings and routine. Scheduling flexibility and, if all parties are willing, childcare even when child is ill.
Cons: Can be expensive if used for full day care. There are possible accountability/insurance issues. No back-up if babysitter is ill.
How to find one: Sometimes you will see member recommendations on the VBC Notices or adverts on notice boards at Bobby's, Pickwicks, The British Bookshop or AWA. The following websites may be useful:
Kids Days Vienna
Hallo Babysitter
Kinderbetreuung.at
City Kids Club Vienna

Au Pair

Description: A young person, usually from abroad, who lives in your house. They provide childcare (generally age 0-12), light housework and babysitting in your home. Depending on age and experience they could look after 3 children at one time. They may wish to attend language lessons.
Pros: Child is taken care of in the home, on hand babysitting, very flexible with days and hours. help out wit housework and cooks for children.
Cons: The live-in therefore there are possible privacy issues and problems if they are ill. Often very young and inexperienced and might not be up to the task, something that is very difficult to asess before arrival. You may need to commit a fair amount of time to in-house training when they arrive.
How to find one: There are a number of online Au Pair agencies including:
www.greataupair.com
www.aupair-world.net
www.aupair.com
www.aupairaustria.com
Employment Regulations: You will need to ensure that your Au Pair has legal authority to work in Austria. There is a good description of the requirements on the Virtual Vienna website (written in 2002). The paperwork for this is dealt with by the Abeitsmarktservice (AMS), some information in English but the downloadable forms are in German.

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