Pardubice will expand the capacity of kindergartens using containers

Kindergarten, Rychnov u Jablonce (photo: KOMA MODULAR CONTRUCTION s.r.o.)

Pardubice - Pardubice will increase the capacity of its kindergartens with the help of special mobile containers. The modules, which can be connected into larger units, will address the acute shortage of available spots in kindergartens, as 357 children from Pardubice were not placed in the first round of enrollments. After the baby boom subsides, the units could continue to serve the kindergartens or be used for other purposes, such as sports, said Deputy Mayor Štěpánka Fraňková to reporters.
    The containers, which meet all necessary hygiene regulations, were initially intended to be built next to the kindergartens Pospíšilova, K Polabinám, and Mladých, but according to the results of the first round of enrollment, new kindergartens Raisova, Brožíkova, in Popkovice and Ohrazenice have also been added. Additionally, the city hall will renovate the facilities of the preschool institutions Gebauerova, Odborářů, and in Ohrazenice. In total, there should be an increase of 300 new spots. Of the 357 children who have not yet been placed for the upcoming year, 101 are younger than three years, which is one of the conditions for acceptance into kindergarten. "There should be a spot for all three-year-old children from Pardubice regardless of whether their mother is or isn't on maternity leave. If there are available spots, we are open to accepting children who do not have permanent residence in Pardubice," said Fraňková.
    Four companies offered to supply the mobile units to the city hall, and they should be built before the start of the school year. Eight units, each for 25 children, will cost the city about 30 million crowns, with an additional ten million needed for the renovation of existing facilities.
    According to Fraňková, the modular system will also be applicable in the future. "I think that every kindergarten will appreciate this in the future. The containers can be used as a gym or playroom. The system can be relocated anywhere and could expand, for example, the facilities of sports venues and turn them into changing rooms, showers, or toilets," said Fraňková.
    Pardubice has 31 kindergartens for more than 2700 children. Last year, the city renovated several pavilions of former nurseries in the areas of kindergartens for 20 million crowns, adding 175 spots.