Solving Elementary Student Care Concerns... Seodaemun-gu Hongje 3-dong 'Chingurang' Opens

June 2019 Bukgajwa 1-dong, following November last year in Yeonhui-dong, the 3rd Our Neighborhood Care Center... installed play structures, stage, mixed reality experience hall, children's cooking class... enhanced quality care services with various programs like art counseling and nutrition education... provides meals and operates on Saturdays, 'constant care' for 40 children

[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] Seodaemun-gu (Mayor Moon Seok-jin) is strengthening the community care system by opening the third elementary school after-school care facility in the district, ‘Our Neighborhood Care Center Chingurang’ (35-12 Ganhodaero) in Hongje 3-dong, on the 25th.

Following the first branch in Bukgajwa 1-dong in June 2019 and the second branch in Yeonhui-dong last November, this third center in Seodaemun-gu provides care services near home for children of dual-income families and others.

The district remodeled the 4th floor building (total area 283㎡) of the Hongje 3-dong after-school classroom, which closed in September last year, installing ▲play structures and a stage for physical activities ▲a mixed reality experience room using motion recognition sensors ▲a children’s cooking classroom.

The capacity is 40 children for daily use ‘regular care children’ and 8 children for occasional use ‘temporary care children,’ which is twice the size of the previous two centers.

The cost is 50,000 KRW per month for regular care use and 2,500 KRW per day for temporary care use.

Five care teachers including the center director and deputy director, and one cook reside on-site. The center operates on weekdays from 1 PM to 8 PM during the school term and from 8 AM to 8 PM during vacations.

Care services are also provided on Saturdays from 9 AM to 2 PM, expected to ease the burden on parents working on weekends.

Another advantage is that lunch and dinner are provided during vacations and dinner during the school term at no additional cost.

The center’s basic care program includes daily life and hygiene/health management, meal and snack provision, and safety guidance.

It also supports online school learning and offers various activities for children’s balanced growth such as English, art, reading discussions, board games, cooking, outings, traditional games, and gardening.

The Hongje 3-dong center operates as a ‘community-linked integrated’ model, promoting cooperation with local institutions and supporting a care network.

In particular, it collaborates with Seodaemun-gu Youth Counseling Welfare Center, Seodaemun-gu Public Health Center, and Seodaemun-gu Healthy Family Multicultural Support Center to run diverse programs such as children’s art counseling and nutrition education, enhancing the quality of care services.

Strict quarantine measures are enforced, including twice-daily temperature checks, daily disinfection, and restrictions on outside visitors.

Mayor Moon Seok-jin stated, “Considering the child population and dual-income families, we plan to open three more centers this year in areas with high care demand. We will continue to strive to make Seodaemun-gu a safe place to raise children.”