Jeonnam Province Launches Policies Aiming to Reduce Childcare Burden and Enhance Service Quality

[Muan=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Yoon Jamin] Jeonnam Province will invest a total of 473.6 billion KRW this year to reduce parents' childcare burdens and improve the quality of childcare services at daycare centers.

According to the province on the 11th, the secured childcare budget for this year has increased by 15.4 billion KRW (3.4%) compared to last year and will be used to address low birth rates and support the healthy growth of infants and young children who will lead the future.

In particular, the infant care fees and institutional care fees provided to children using daycare centers this year will be raised by 20,000 KRW to a maximum of 52,000 KRW by age group compared to last year, and the Nuri Curriculum care fees will increase by 20,000 KRW starting from the 1st of next month.

For small-scale daycare centers in the province (with 21 to fewer than 50 children), 321 locations will receive 700,000 KRW each for purchasing preservation food storage freezers and dishware sets.

A response system will be established to enable prompt action such as epidemiological investigations in case of food poisoning incidents.

Despite Jeonnam’s difficult financial conditions, the daycare class operation expenses, which have been paid to all daycare centers in the province since 2018, will increase by 30,000 KRW to 100,000 KRW.

This is expected to help daycare centers struggling due to a decrease in the number of children.

Regarding the differential childcare fees, last year 11 billion KRW was allocated to fully support parents of private home daycare centers with 80,000 KRW per month, and this will continue this year to realize free childcare.

In addition, 142 substitute teachers, increased by 20% compared to last year, will be assigned to daycare centers to minimize childcare gaps when homeroom teachers are absent due to annual leave or training.

Also, the extended childcare dedicated teachers introduced last year will be expanded by 24% to 1,048 this year to reduce the workload of childcare staff and improve their treatment.

Kim Jongbun, Jeonnam Province’s Director of Women and Family Policy, said, “As social responsibility for childcare grows, we will create a Jeonnam where children, parents, and childcare staff can all come together so that children who will lead the future can grow up happily. We also plan to implement childcare policies that actively support daycare centers facing operational difficulties.”