2024-11-20 13:13:00
“With the new funding guidelines, Vienna is taking another important step towards a fair and inclusive educational landscape for all children. Children with special needs and increased need for care in particular need tailor-made support – and the City of Vienna stands side by side with those affected to ensure optimal development and participation opportunities,” explains Marcus Gremel, SPÖ local councilor and children and family spokesman.
The funding is used to optimize the inclusive elementary education offerings in regular groups of private childcare facilities. A total of 99,312,000 euros will be made available by 2029, which corresponds to an average of around 17 million euros per year. The aim is to provide children with a diagnosed increased need for care – in accordance with ICD10/11 – with increased care and adaptation of the framework conditions. The funding enables kindergartens to reduce group size, hire additional specialists and use external experts.
“Our focus is on ensuring that children in Vienna have equal access to education, regardless of physical or mental impairments,” emphasizes Gremel. “This funding guideline makes a decisive contribution to increasing the number of inclusion places in regular groups and further improving the level of care in Viennese kindergartens.”
Funding details at a glance:
- Target groups and funding recipients: The guideline is aimed at private sponsoring organizations that already participate in the “free-of-charge kindergarten” model and look after or want to look after children with increased or significantly increased support needs in the future.
- Delivery height: The funding is calculated based on the number of children with increased care needs in a regular group. A maximum of two children can be supported per group, with monthly supplements ranging between around 500 and 2000 euros per group, depending on the diagnosis of the child/children.
- Inclusion concept: Every sponsoring organization must have a mandatory development and participation plan as well as an individual inclusion concept.
“It is a central concern of ours to give all children in Vienna equal opportunities and to further expand early intervention in our kindergartens. “In this way, we are strengthening our educational offerings and investing specifically in an inclusive and solidarity-based future for our children,” the local council concludes.
This guideline marks another milestone in Vienna’s efforts to make education and care equally accessible and of high quality for all children.
“Vienna remains a pioneer for a solidarity-based, inclusive city in which no child is left behind,” concluded Gremel.
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How will the funding impact the support provided to children with special needs in these facilities?
**Interview with Marcus Gremel, SPÖ Local Councilor and Children and Family Spokesman**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Mr. Gremel. Can you tell us more about the new funding guidelines announced for Vienna’s childcare facilities?
**Marcus Gremel:** Thank you for having me. Absolutely! With our new funding guidelines, we are committed to creating a fair and inclusive educational landscape for all children in Vienna, particularly focusing on those with special needs or increased care requirements. This initiative is vital for ensuring that every child gets the support they need, tailored specifically to their individual situations.
**Interviewer:** The funding amounts to quite a significant sum, nearly 100 million euros by 2029. How will this be utilized in practical terms within the childcare facilities?
**Marcus Gremel:** Yes, a total of 99.3 million euros will be allocated, averaging about 17 million euros per year. These funds will help optimize inclusive elementary education within regular groups in private childcare facilities. With this support, kindergartens will be able to reduce group sizes, employ additional specialists, and bring in external experts to enhance the care and education provided to children with diagnosed increased needs, following ICD10/11 guidelines.
**Interviewer:** That sounds promising. What specific changes can parents expect to see in these childcare settings as a result of this funding?
**Marcus Gremel:** Parents can expect to see more tailored educational experiences for their children. This funding will allow for smaller group sizes, which means more attention for each child. Additional specialists on site will provide targeted support for children with diverse needs, ensuring they can participate fully in their learning environment. we aim to create an inclusive setting where all children, regardless of their physical or mental impairments, can thrive.
**Interviewer:** How does this funding align with the broader goals of Vienna in promoting inclusivity in educational settings?
**Marcus Gremel:** Our focus is on equality and accessibility in education. By expanding the number of inclusive places in regular groups and enhancing the support systems in place, we believe we are making significant strides toward an educational framework that welcomes and nurtures every child. This funding guideline is a decisive contribution to these goals, and it demonstrates the City’s commitment to standing beside families and children who need additional support.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Mr. Gremel, for your insights on this important initiative. It’s encouraging to hear about the steps being taken to support children with special needs in Vienna.
**Marcus Gremel:** Thank you for having me. We are excited about these changes and remain dedicated to ensuring every child has the opportunity to succeed in their educational journey.
