'Gyeongbuk's First' Hourly Emergency Childcare Service... Establishing a Care System for 'Pohang, a Child-Friendly City'

Support for Various Caregiver-Centered Childcare Services ... Zero Childcare Gaps

‘Buk-gu Office Daycare Center’ Emergency Childcare Services During Night and Weekend Vulnerable Hours

Entrance of the Pohang-si Buk-gu Office Daycare Center.

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Dongguk Lee] Pohang City in Gyeongbuk Province is implementing a ‘Hourly Emergency Childcare Service’ for the first time in the province to reduce the burden of childcare at home and meet diverse childcare demands.

According to the city, the ‘Pohang Buk-gu Office Daycare Center,’ a workplace childcare facility scheduled to open on September 30, will pilot the ‘Hourly Emergency Childcare Service’ for general infants and toddlers outside of normal operating hours.

This project provides hourly childcare services during vulnerable times such as nights or weekends when childcare facilities are unavailable in urgent situations. It is the first of its kind in Gyeongbuk Province and is expected to minimize childcare gaps and reduce the childcare burden on parents.

Operation of Pohang City Hall Daycare Center.

The ‘Hourly Emergency Childcare Service’ is available for preschool children (6 months to 5 years old) residing in Pohang City. It can be used for up to 4 hours per day and operates by reservation. The hourly childcare class has a capacity of 5 children, the usage fee is 4,000 KRW per hour, and operating hours are weekdays from 6 PM to 10 PM, and Saturdays and public holidays from 9 AM to 6 PM. Inquiries can be made to the service provider (Pohang Buk-gu Office Daycare Center).

Mayor Kang-deok Lee said, “The ‘Hourly Emergency Childcare Service,’ the first in the province, marks the starting point for Pohang to become a ‘child-friendly city.’ By supporting various childcare services centered on caregivers, it is expected to reduce the childcare burden and contribute to overcoming low birth rates. Starting with the zero childcare gap initiative through this service, we will strive to build a ‘Pohang-style childcare care system’ that satisfies both infants and caregivers.”

Pohang City stated that based on the results of this pilot project, it plans to supplement shortcomings and add one more facility in the Nam-gu area next year.