As an interim solution

Containers are in great demand for the little ones

The little ones have already tried out driving bobby cars in the "container house".

(Bild: Gemeinde Ebenau)

Salzburg municipalities are groaning under the burden of looking after small children. But where to put them? More and more need a place while their parents work. In Ebenau, things happened quickly: a new temporary solution was up and running within six days. 

It's no longer possible without them - containers have become indispensable in Salzburg. Even the youngest children can be accommodated here. Since Monday, eight children under the age of two and a half have been crawling and playing in newly installed containers in Ebenau. "We opted for this solution because so many small children need a place to be looked after," says ÖVP mayor Hannes Fürstaller. It only took six days to set up.

But do toddlers and containers go together? Yes, says Fürstaller, as do other village heads: "They are classically furnished. Everything is bright and friendly." "You can't imagine it until you've been inside," says Bergheim's ÖVP mayor, praising the (purchased) alternative buildings.

"More than a temporary solution"
"They are more than just a temporary solution for us," says Robert Bukovc, describing them as a suitable gap filler for the increasing childcare needs of the municipalities. In addition to 63 kindergarten children, 40 toddlers are accommodated in the "container building". A kindergarten for them is due to open in the Lengfelden district in fall 2026.

Nine containers have been standing next to the fire station in Ebenau since Monday. The rent costs around 1100 euros.

(Bild: Gemeinde Ebenau)

"Expenditure on staff is exploding beyond belief"
"We have a very high increase in children in care. The needs of the labor market are making themselves felt here," says Bukovc. Staff expenditure is "exploding beyond belief". He underlines a recent demand by the head of Fuschl, Christian Braunstein, for more money from the federal and state governments.

Ebenau recorded an operating loss of around 400,000 euros for childcare. The eight little guests cared for in containers are to move into the Schoberhaus from 1640 in a year's time. Their containers were previously used by Porsche Salzburg. 16 children from the age of two were looked after here for a year - while the company kindergarten was expanded.