Stress and Child Free Shopping Expeditions with Kinderwerkstadt
Kinderwerkstadt is a Klagenfurt Council initiative to allow shoppers
to have their kids looked after on short notice.
The playcentre is conveniently located just off Alter Platz, an
excellent spot shopping spot! Costing only 2 Euros an hour it is amazing
value. The children are looked after by certified child professionals in
a fantastic environment with lots of toys and activities to explore. In
addition children may also get to participate in singing, dancing, and
craft activities.
For children aged two to ten years old, we have found it an absolute
God-send for our two year old. Kinderwerkstadt was his first experience
of being without either his Mum or Dad, and he didn’t even miss us on
the first day – or ever since! He was only allowed to stay for one hour
at first, just to make sure he didn’t bawl his eyes out (they take a
contact number to call you in case you need to come back!), but he’s now
progressing to a two hour block.
The child care workers in general only speak German, however all
Austrians learn some English at school, so they do have a smattering of
English between them. For us, we love that they speak to J in German! We
want him to pick up as much as possible!
J really looks forward to going to Kinderwerkstadt and doesn’t want
to leave when we pick him up! We are also having a great time with our
new found ‘freedom’; we had breakfast at Café Konditorei Hutter the
other day without having to run after our very inquisitive two year old
– and it was sooo nice!
We haven’t been booking or calling ahead to reserve a spot for J,
it’s been fine to just drop him off. Saturdays are busier than weekdays,
and school holidays are also busier for obvious reasons! The child care
workers have been really nice, and I think some of them have developed a
bit of a soft spot for J, who’s a very happy go lucky little chappie.
Since J isn’t yet potty trained, we leave a nappy with the centre,
and they are happy to change him if he needs it. I’ve seen some parents
leave little lunch boxes and drinks for their kids too.
Getting to Kinderwerkstadt
Kinderwerkstadt is situated off Rennplatz, however you can also get
to it by walking along Alter Platz and taking the little lane called
Geyergasse (between Strobl’s Backstube and Aristokat clothes shop).
You’ll see the entrance sign ‘Eingang’ to Kinderwerkstadt quite clearly
on the left as you walk down.
Opening hours
Monday – Friday, 8am to 8pm
Saturday, 8am to 6pm
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