Neunkirchner parish kindergarten closes - 59 children in danger!

Neunkirchner parish kindergarten closes - 59 children in danger!

Neunkirchen, Österreich - The parish kindergarten Pater-Kolbe in Neunkirchen is faced with great challenges and is now reported, as on June 10, 2025 by noen.at. The decision was made by the operator, the Association for Franciscan Education, which is responsible for the increasing costs, which arose in particular by the lack of financial grants from the state and the city. This support was last almost 200,000 euros annually.

The Situation for the 59 children who visit kindergarten was uncertain until recently. Parents were very concerned about the care of their children when it became known in November 2022 that the Archdiocese of Vienna would hire their financial resources for several parish kindergartens, including the Father-Kolbe kindergarten. This development led the municipality of Neunkirchen and the parish together for a solution to ensure the care of the affected children.

rescue through political cooperation

Thanks to the cooperation of all political parties in Neunkirchen, including the ÖVP, the Greens, the SPÖ and the FPÖ, a solution could be found. From autumn 2023, the kindergarten will continue to be managed under the provider of the Association for Franciscan Education, which means that the previous childcare places and jobs are secured. Pastor Bernhard Lang and Mayor Herbert Osterbauer said positively about this development.

As part of this agreement, the municipality of Neunkirchen takes over the annual operating exit, which is currently around 180,000 euros. In addition, budget planning will take place in the future in coordination with the municipality. This ensures a transparent financial basis for the operation of the kindergarten.

care for all

It should be emphasized that the kindergarten also remains open to children from other communities, provided that the respective residence communities bear the costs. 59 children are currently visiting the Father-Kolbe kindergarten, with 40 of them living in Neunkirchen. The Association for Franciscan Education, as a non-profit organization with over 50 educational institutions in Austria, ensures that the children continue to have good chances of qualified care. Overall, this association looks after around 7,000 children and adolescents.

In a larger context, the situation shows how important financial support and committed cooperation in childcare are. [TransparenzPortal.gv.at] (https://transportenzportal.gv.at/tdb/s situation/npo/gesellschaft-und-restaltung/kinderbetreuung/alle) has addressed the role of non-profit organizations in childcare and the need for subsidies of the state governments, which are essential for the successful implementation of these important tasks.