Chronicle
Childminders are urgently needed in Vienna. Due to the pandemic, more than half of the permanent employees have been lost in the last two years. One reason is the changed family and working conditions caused by the pandemic.
According to the motto “Full mine! – Discover the most beautiful job in the world”, there is a desperate search for childminders in Vienna. In the last two years, many have changed jobs or left, as Anita Koppenhofer-Kaufmann, head of childcare at Wiener Hilfswerk, said: “We are looking for around 20 to 30 childminders at Wiener Hilfswerk.”
Screaming children in the home office
Above all, changed family circumstances caused by the pandemic led to the decline. “There were separations and divorces. The spouse’s workplace has shifted to the home office. Of course, it’s difficult when your spouse is at home and wants to be left alone, and five children are screaming next to you. That doesn’t work so well,” said Koppenhofer-Kaufmann.
There are a total of three large sponsoring associations in Vienna that hire childminders on a permanent basis – in addition to the relief organization, these are Volkshilfe and the Eltern für Kinder association. All three currently have about 100 vacancies for childcare. According to the Federal Association of Childminders and Fathers, demand is also increasing because there are sometimes long waiting lists for crèches and kindergartens.
High demand among children with disabilities
In the case of kindergartens and crèches, it depends on the district, says Koppenhofer-Kaufmann. In districts where new kindergarten locations are opened, the demand for childminders is lower. However, parents often make a conscious decision to bring up their children in small groups. “Where demand is massive is with children with disabilities,” she says. “Child minders are clearly given preference.” The aid organization is also hoping for more support from the City of Vienna in this area.