A groundbreaking project in Krems
On 24 February 2026 a press release was published that made many families in Krems and beyond sit up and take notice. Regional councillor Susanne Rosenkranz welcomed the new holiday care at the Kleingruppenschule Krems (ASO) as an important step for families with children with disabilities. This project shows that practical, needs-based solutions are possible to address the challenges parents face during the long school holidays.
The challenges of the holiday period
In Austria, schoolchildren have up to 14 weeks of holiday per year. This period is an organizational challenge for many parents, especially those who have children with disabilities. Regular care is not available, and parents often have to find creative solutions to ensure their children are looked after. The new initiative in Krems is intended to provide relief here and could serve as a model for other municipalities.
The role of municipalities
Normally, municipalities are responsible for leisure and holiday care. In financially strained times, however, it is a challenge to maintain such services. The initiative in Krems is being viewed as a best-practice model that could potentially be adopted by other municipalities to address similar problems.
The importance of relief for parents
Many parents are responsible for the care and supervision of their children for decades. Without adequate relief, they risk becoming overburdened, suffering health problems up to exhaustion and depression, or even losing their jobs. Reliable holiday care can help here and at the same time strengthen the economy by safeguarding employment.
Preserving existing structures
One of the project's innovative solutions is to use the existing infrastructure of after-school care during the holiday periods. Children keep their familiar caregivers, and staff remain continuously employed. This significantly eases the burden on parents and is an effective approach to meeting the challenges of holiday care.
A positive pilot project
Education Councillor Martin Zöhrer expressed his pleasure with the new offering at the small-group school in Krems. After a successful pilot run last summer, the holiday care will now become part of the regular program. This is especially welcome because the offering can be implemented without significant additional costs for the city, an important factor in the current budget situation.
A model for the future?
The holiday care in Krems could serve as a model for other municipalities in Lower Austria and beyond. If the project continues to be successful, similar initiatives could be launched in other regions to improve care during the holiday periods. This would not only increase the quality of life for the families involved but also promote the social participation of people with disabilities.
Political support and social responsibility
The support of Provincial Councillor Rosenkranz and City Councillor Zöhrer shows that political decision-makers are willing to take on responsibility and promote innovative solutions. Such projects are crucial for meeting the challenges of our time and creating an inclusive society that serves all citizens.
Conclusion: A step in the right direction
The holiday care at the Kleingruppenschule Krems is an important step in improving the care situation for families with children with disabilities. It shows that practical solutions can be found through the use of existing resources and political support that benefit both families and society. This project could serve as a model for other municipalities and pave the way for a comprehensive improvement of the care situation.
