A groundbreaking project in Krems
On 24 February 2026, a press release was published that caught the attention of many families in Krems and beyond. Provincial 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 holiday periods.
The challenges of the holiday period
In Austria, schoolchildren have up to 14 weeks of holidays per year. This time 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 childcare. The new initiative in Krems aims to provide relief here and could serve as a model for other municipalities.
The role of municipalities
Municipalities are normally responsible for leisure and holiday care. In times of financial strain, however, it is challenging to maintain such offerings. The initiative in Krems is seen as a best-practice model that could potentially be adopted by other municipalities to solve 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, there is a risk of overload, health problems up to burnout-related depression, or even loss of employment. Reliable holiday care can provide relief here and at the same time strengthen the economy by securing jobs.
Preserving existing structures
One of the project's innovative solutions is using the existing infrastructure of school afternoon care also during the holiday periods. The children keep their familiar caregivers, and the staff remain continuously employed. This noticeably relieves parents and is a targeted approach to mastering the challenges of holiday care.
A positive pilot project
Education City Councillor Martin Zöhrer expressed his pleasure at the new offering at the Kleingruppenschule in Krems. After a successful pilot run last summer, the holiday care will now become part of regular operations. This is particularly pleasing because the offering can be implemented without significant additional costs to 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 started in other regions to improve the care situation during holiday periods. This would not only increase the quality of life for the affected families 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 responsibility and promote innovative solutions. Such projects are crucial to meeting today's challenges and creating an inclusive society that does justice to all citizens.
Conclusion: A step in the right direction
The holiday care at the Kleingruppenschule Krems is an important step to improve 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 an example for other municipalities and pave the way for a comprehensive improvement of the care situation.
