Chungnam Expands Childcare Services... 'Aikiwoomtteul' Also Open on Weekends

[Asia Economy (Naepo) Reporter Jeong Il-woong] Chungnam Province is expanding the customized childcare service 'Chungnam Aikiwoom.' The purpose is to allow the use of daytime childcare services on weekends as well, for situations where children need to be urgently entrusted due to unexpected circumstances.

The province announced on the 19th that from this year, Chungnam Aikiwoomtteul will operate on weekends and holidays during daytime hours (9 a.m. to 6 p.m.).

Through this, caregivers eligible for childcare allowances with infants and toddlers aged 6 to 36 months can use daytime childcare services on weekends, holidays, and other days off, excluding Lunar New Year and Chuseok holidays. Starting next month, the Kiwoom Nori service will also be expanded to operate on Saturdays during the day.

In particular, the province has significantly reduced the economic burden on caregiving parents by lowering the nighttime and holiday daytime usage fee from 4,000 won to 2,000 won.

Previously, in April last year, Chungnam was the first nationwide to introduce and operate Chungnam Aikiwoomtteul, a 24-hour childcare service concept covering daytime and nighttime on weekdays.

By the end of the year after opening, the number of infants and toddlers who used Chungnam Aikiwoomtteul was counted at 491, including 338 during the day and 153 at night. The usage time reached a total of 8,813 hours, with 8,526 hours during the day and 287 hours at night.

Additionally, 1,298 people participated in the parent education and parent-child experience programs (a total of 5 sessions) conducted by Chungnam Aikiwoomtteul last year, and 12,593 people used the Kiwoom Nori (toy and book rental) service on weekdays for a total of 15,452 cases.

A provincial official said, "In the satisfaction surveys conducted twice last year, users showed high satisfaction with nighttime childcare services, 24-hour teacher interactions, and usage hours," adding, "The province will continue to strive to discover and promote various childcare services that can enhance the convenience of caregivers."