159 municipalities provided no childcare data, says AK

A new childcare atlas has prompted criticism of provision in Upper Austria, with 159 of the state’s 438 municipalities supplying no information on opening hours, lunch or closure days, ORF reported. The 2026 atlas is compiled annually by the Upper Austrian Chamber of Labour (AK).

The survey covers childcare options ranging from crèches and kindergartens to after-school care. The AK says the lack of information is a concern alongside shortcomings in the services themselves.

AK President Andreas Stangl suggested some municipalities may have wanted to avoid negative ratings. He said gaps in opening hours and afternoon care remained, particularly in rural areas.

The state has pointed to the expansion of childcare and rising investment, and has said that afternoon care is available but not always used. The AK argues that fees are a key reason: monthly costs can weigh on families and lead parents to use less care than they need, Stangl said.

The AK also disputes the definition of childcare suitable for full-time work. Statistics Austria counts facilities with opening hours of at least six hours a day as suitable for full-time care. Laura Wiednig, who heads the AK’s department for women’s and equality policy, said six hours was not enough for parents working full time.