"Urgent Childcare Feels Awkward... Should I Quit My Job?" Parents' Worries Amid Daycare Closures

From the 12th, daycare centers in the Seoul metropolitan area will close... Emergency childcare also at minimal capacity

The photo is unrelated to specific expressions in the article.

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] "Where can I leave my child?"

As social distancing in the Seoul metropolitan area was raised to Level 4 starting on the 12th, the worries of dual-income families have deepened. Not only are daycare centers in Seoul, Gyeonggi, and Incheon regions closed, but emergency childcare services are also being operated at a minimum scale, causing working parents to complain that "there is nowhere to leave our children."

Recently, the Ministry of Health and Welfare announced, "Starting from the 12th, when strengthened quarantine measures are applied in the metropolitan area, daycare centers will be closed."

Jung Howon, Director of Childcare Policy at the Ministry of Health and Welfare, said, "The COVID-19 situation is very serious, and measures to reduce social contact throughout the metropolitan area are necessary," and urged, "We ask guardians to actively participate in home care."

Under the new social distancing system, daycare centers can operate up to Level 3, but from Level 4, they must close mandatorily. Emergency childcare can only be operated on days and times when absolutely necessary.

If home care is possible, attendance should be restricted, and only minimal childcare staff should be assigned at daycare centers. In addition, special activities and outdoor activities are prohibited, and group events and collective education are not allowed.

Photo by Naver Mom Cafe screen capture.

Upon hearing this news, the sighs of dual-income parents have deepened. Although emergency childcare can be applied for if there is nowhere to leave the child, the government’s policy is to minimize its use, so parents feel pressured when applying for emergency childcare.

One netizen expressed on a mom caf?, "I have to take care of my child for two weeks, so I might have to quit my part-time job," adding, "The kindergarten sent a message saying, 'Emergency care is possible, but please send your child only on the minimum days and times.' I feel pressured sending my child to daycare, so I’m thinking of home care for two weeks." She added, "It’s a pity and unfortunate to quit, but the children come first, so I guess I have to quit."

Another netizen also shared on a mom caf?, "Even though I want to do home care because we are dual-income, the circumstances are difficult. My parents-in-law are hospitalized, and my parents live too far away, so there is nowhere to leave my child," and said, "Even if I try to take care of the child, I recently started working and cannot use paid leave. I also feel pressured sending my child to emergency childcare."

Meanwhile, Level 4 social distancing in the metropolitan area will be implemented for two weeks from midnight on the 12th to midnight on the 25th. Accordingly, Seoul city has ordered the closure of all daycare centers (a total of 5,119), including public, private, and workplace centers within the region.